Chapter 207
2021 -- S 0232 SUBSTITUTE A
Enacted 07/07/2021

A N   A C T
RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- PHYSICAL THERAPISTS

Introduced By: Senators F Lombardi, Lombardo, Picard, Felag, Quezada, DiMario, E Morgan, and de la Cruz

Date Introduced: February 10, 2021

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
     SECTION 1. Section 5-40-1 of the General Laws in Chapter 5-40 entitled "Physical
Therapists" is hereby amended to read as follows:
     5-40-1. Definitions.
     As used in this chapter:
     (1) "Board" means the board of physical therapy established by § 5-40-2.
     (2) "Department" means the department of health.
     (3) "Diagnostic imaging" means techniques used to capture an image of a body part. For
purposes of this chapter, diagnostic imaging shall include basic radiological imaging, commonly
referred to as x-ray imaging, but shall not include other methodologies such as computer
topography scan, ultrasound, bone scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or positron emission
tomography scan.
     (3)(4) "Examination" means an examination approved by the department in consultation
with the board.
     (4)(5) "License" means a license issued by the department to practice physical therapy.
     (5)(6) "Physical therapist" means an individual who is licensed by the department to
practice physical therapy.
     (6)(7) "Physical therapist assistant" means an individual who is licensed by the department
to assist in the practice of physical therapy under the supervision of a physical therapist.
     (7)(8) "Physical therapy" means the care and services provided by or under the direction
and supervision of a physical therapist who is licensed pursuant to this chapter.
     (8)(9) "Practice of physical therapy" means:
     (i)(A) Examination, evaluation, treatment, and instruction of patients/clients to detect,
assess, prevent, correct, alleviate, and limit physical disability, physical dysfunction, and pain from
injury, disease, and any other bodily conditions;
     (B) Administration, interpretation, and evaluation of tests and measurements of bodily
functions and structures;
     (C) The planning, administration, evaluation, and modification of treatment and
instruction, including the use of physical measures, activities, and devices, for preventive and
therapeutic purposes; and
     (D) The provision of consultative, educational, and other advisory services for the purpose
of reducing the incidence and severity of physical disability, physical dysfunction, and pain; and
     (E) Ordering diagnostic imaging and studies that are performed and interpreted by other
licensed health care healthcare professionals pursuant to the provisions of § 5-40-23.
     (ii) The practice of physical therapy does not include the practice of medicine as defined
in chapter 37 of this title.
     (9)(10) "Supervision" means that a licensed physical therapist is at all times responsible
for supportive personnel and students.
     SECTION 2. Chapter 5-40 of the General Laws entitled "Physical Therapists" is hereby
amended by adding thereto the following section:
     5-40-23. Ordering diagnostic imaging - Sunset.
     (a) Physical therapists licensed pursuant to § 5-40-7 may order diagnostic imaging as
defined in § 5-40-1 to be performed and interpreted by other licensed health care healthcare
professionals.
     (b) All diagnostic imaging tests ordered by a physical therapist shall be reported by the
physical therapist to the patient's designated primary care physician of record within seven (7) days
following receipt of the results. This reporting shall not be required if the patient does not have a
primary care physician.
     (c) Managed health care healthcare plans shall provide a utilization report to the general
assembly no later than September 1, 2022, and annually thereafter.
     (d) Unless extended by the general assembly, physical therapists shall not be authorized to
order diagnostic imaging as an authorized practice of physical therapy after December 31, 2023.
     SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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LC001393/SUB A
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