HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2764

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                         Health Care

Title:  An act relating to the authority of the board of physical therapy over supportive personnel.

Brief Description:  Modifying the authority of the board of physical therapy.

Sponsors:  Representatives Veloria, Dyer, Dellwo, Carlson, Fuhrman, Foreman, Edmondson, Cooke, Pruitt and Long.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Health Care, February 4, 1994, DPS.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 16 members:  Representatives Dellwo, Chair; L. Johnson, Vice Chair; Dyer, Ranking Minority Member; Ballasiotes, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Appelwick; Backlund; Conway; Cooke; Flemming; R. Johnson; Lemmon; Lisk; Mastin; Morris; Thibaudeau and Veloria.

Staff:  John Welsh (786-7133).

Background:  The Board of Physical Therapy, under its general rulemaking authority, provides for the use of support personnel such as physical therapy assistants and aides.

However, there is no express authority for defining the duties, education and training requirements nor disciplinary process for physical therapy support personnel.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  The Board of Physical Therapy is expressly authorized to adopt rules specifying the duties, education and training requirements and disciplinary process for physical therapy support personnel.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The reference to physical therapy support personnel is clarified. The board may adopt rules defining their duties.  The exemption provided by law for individuals regulated by other practice acts is clarified.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date of Substitute Bill:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  There is a need to clarify the board's rulemaking authority with regard to the duties and training, as well as the disciplinary process, of physical therapy support personnel.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Becky Bogard, Washington State Physical Therapy Association (pro); Mark Lane, Board of Physical Therapy (pro); and Steve Lindstrom, WSATA (concerns).