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HF2689 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Physical therapy practice or provision governing provisions modified, and criminal penalties provided.

Related bill: SF3049

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

The bill seeks to update the statutes governing the practice of physical therapy in Minnesota. It includes changes aimed at improving the supervision and practice standards for physical therapists and physical therapist assistants. Additionally, it introduces criminal penalties for specific violations within the practice of physical therapy.

Main Provisions

  • Physical Therapy Definition: This bill revises the definition of physical therapy to include a comprehensive list of practices and emphasizes that it does not encompass the practice of medicine or chiropractic.
  • Student Supervision: It sets specific requirements for the supervision of student physical therapists and student physical therapist assistants, requiring direct onsite supervision during clinical education and clearly defining what constitutes supervision.
  • Delegation and Supervision: The bill outlines how physical therapists can delegate duties to physical therapist assistants and specifies that certain tasks, such as initial patient evaluations, cannot be delegated. It also establishes limits on the number of assistants a therapist can supervise simultaneously.
  • Disciplinary Actions: The bill updates the grounds for disciplinary actions, expanding on what constitutes unprofessional conduct and detailing possible sanctions such as fines up to $10,000, suspension, or revocation of licensure.
  • Prohibited Conduct: It specifies that only licensed individuals can use the titles of physical therapist or physical therapist assistant and prohibits fraudulent practices in obtaining or practicing with a license.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

  • Supervision Rules: Modifications to existing statutes highlight more stringent rules for supervision, including direct contact with patients during every second treatment by students.
  • Licensure: The bill enhances the requirements for using professional titles and mandates licensure as a prerequisite for practice to prevent unlicensed practice.
  • Discipline and Enforcement: It increases the Board's authority to impose fines and disciplinary actions, including the ability to suspend licenses automatically under specific legal circumstances, such as the appointment of a guardian or mental health commitment.

Relevant Terms

  • Physical therapy
  • Student supervision
  • Onsite supervision
  • Delegation of duties
  • Disciplinary action
  • Licensure requirements
  • Prohibited conduct
  • Criminal penalties

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
March 23, 2025HouseFloorActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toHealth Finance and Policy
April 23, 2025HouseFloorActionAuthor added
April 23, 2025HouseFloorActionAuthor added
April 24, 2025HouseFloorActionAuthor added
April 24, 2025HouseFloorActionAuthor added
April 27, 2025HouseFloorActionAuthor added
April 27, 2025HouseFloorActionAuthor added

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill refers to the definition of the practice of medicine as outlined in section 147.081.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "147.081",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill refers to the definition of the practice of chiropractic as outlined in section 148.01.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "148.01",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The bill refers to the definition of the practice of podiatry as outlined in section 153.01.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "153.01",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This section relates to the practice of dentistry as defined in section 150A.05.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "150A.05",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The bill references advanced practice nursing as defined in section 148.171, subdivision 3.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "148.171",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 3"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The bill refers to court-appointed guardianship under section 524.5-101.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "524.5-101",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The bill refers to court-appointed guardianship under section 524.5-502.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "524.5-502",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The bill discusses commitment by court order under chapter 253B.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "253B",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The bill refers to advanced practice nursing in collaboration with other professionals as defined in section 62A.15, subdivision 3a.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "62A.15",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 3a"
  }
]

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