SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 6407
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
As Reported by Senate Committee On:
Health & Long Term Care, February 5, 2020
Title: An act relating to spinal manipulation endorsement requirements for physical therapists.
Brief Description: Concerning spinal manipulation endorsement requirements for physical therapists.
Sponsors: Senators Van De Wege and Rivers.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Health & Long Term Care: 1/29/20, 2/05/20 [DP, DNP, w/oRec].
Brief Summary of Bill |
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SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG TERM CARE |
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Cleveland, Chair; Randall, Vice Chair; Dhingra, Frockt, Rivers and Van De Wege.
Minority Report: Do not pass.
Signed by Senator Conway.
Minority Report: That it be referred without recommendation.
Signed by Senators O'Ban, Ranking Member; Becker, Keiser and Muzzall.
Staff: Greg Attanasio (786-7410)
Background: Physical therapy services include:
examining, evaluating, and testing individuals with mechanical, physiological, and developmental impairments, functional limitations in movement, and disability or other health and movement-related conditions;
alleviating impairments and functional limitations in movement;
performing wound care services;
reducing the risk of injury, impairment, functional limitation, and disability related to movement;
engaging in administration, consultation, education, and research; and
spinal manipulation—after being issued an endorsement.
To obtain a spinal manipulation endorsement, a physical therapist must have at least one year of full-time, orthopedic, postgraduate practice experience that consists of direct patient care averaging at least 36 hours a week. They must also demonstrate sufficient training hours in differential diagnosis, didactic and practical training related to the delivery of spinal manipulative procedures, and spinal diagnostic imaging. A physical therapist must complete at least 300 hours of supervised clinical experience in spinal manipulative procedures. The supervision may be provided by a clinical supervisor who:
holds a spinal manipulation endorsement;
is a licensed chiropractor or osteopathic physician and surgeon; or
holds an endorsement or advanced certification, the training requirements for which are commensurate with the training requirements for a spinal manipulation endorsement.
Effective July 1, 2020, individuals who hold an endorsement or advanced certification with training requirements commensurate with the training requirements for a spinal manipulation endorsement, may no longer act as a clinical supervisor.
Summary of Bill: The provision set to take effect on July 1, 2020, removing individuals who hold an endorsement or advanced certification with training requirements commensurate with the training requirements for a spinal manipulation endorsement, from the list of those who can provide supervised clinical experience, is repealed.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: Since the original bill was passed, Washington has entered into the interstate physical therapy licensure compact. This bill is meant to allow out-of-state physical therapists to count their supervised hours toward the endorsement.
CON: The current statute represents a negotiated agreement and the provision should be allowed to sunset as agreed. Out-of-state physical therapists can still practice in Washington except for performing spinal manipulations.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Kevin Van De Wege, Prime Sponsor; Melissa Johnson, Physical Therapy Association of Washington. CON: Lori Grassi, Washington State Chiropractic Association.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.