SENATE BILL NO. 668

November 09, 2023, Introduced by Senator HERTEL and referred to the Committee on Health Policy.

A bill to amend 1978 PA 368, entitled

"Public health code,"

by amending sections 17801, 17820, and 17824 (MCL 333.17801, 333.17820, and 333.17824), section 17801 as amended by 2009 PA 55, section 17820 as amended by 2016 PA 499, and section 17824 as amended by 2014 PA 260; and to repeal acts and parts of acts.

the people of the state of michigan enact:

Sec. 17801. (1) As used in this part:

(a) "Physical therapist" means an individual licensed under this article to engage in the practice of physical therapy.

(b) "Physical therapist assistant" means an individual with a health profession subfield license under this part who assists a physical therapist in physical therapy intervention.

(c) "Practice as physical therapist assistant" means the practice of physical therapy performed by a physical therapist assistant under the supervision of a physical therapist. licensed under this part.

(d) "Practice of physical therapy" means the evaluation of, education of, consultation with, or treatment of an individual by the employment of effective properties of physical measures and the use of therapeutic exercises and rehabilitative procedures, with or without assistive devices, for the purpose of preventing, correcting, or alleviating a physical or mental disability. Physical therapy includes the identification and management of physical therapy-related health conditions, impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions; treatment planning; , the performance of tests and measurements; , the interpretation of referrals; , the initiation of referrals; , instruction; , consultative services; , and the supervision of personnel. Physical measures include, but are not limited to, massage, mobilization, heat, cold, air, light, water, electricity, and sound. Practice of physical therapy does not include the identification of underlying medical problems or etiologies, establishment of medical diagnoses, or the prescribing of treatment.the diagnosis of a health condition if the diagnosis falls outside the scope of practice of physical therapy.

(2) In addition to the definitions in this part, article 1 contains general definitions and principles of construction applicable to all articles in this code and part 161 contains definitions applicable to this part.

Sec. 17820. (1) An individual shall not engage in the practice of physical therapy or practice as a physical therapist assistant unless licensed or otherwise authorized under this part. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant shall engage in the treatment of a patient if that treatment is prescribed by a health care professional who is an advanced practice registered nurse as that term is defined in section 17201, or who holds a license issued under part 166, 170, 175, or 180, or an equivalent license issued by another state. A physical therapist or a physical therapist assistant may engage in the treatment of a patient without the prescription of a health care professional who is an advanced practice registered nurse as that term is defined in section 17201, or who holds a license issued under part 166, 170, 175, or 180, or an equivalent license issued by another state, under either of the following circumstances:

(a) For 21 days or 10 treatments, whichever first occurs. However, a physical therapist shall determine that the patient's condition requires physical therapy before delegating physical therapy interventions to a physical therapist assistant.

(b) The patient is seeking physical therapy services for the purpose of preventing injury or promoting fitness.

(2) The following words, titles, or letters or a combination of words, titles, or letters, with or without qualifying words or phrases, are restricted in use only to those persons authorized under this part to use the terms and in a way prescribed in this part: "physical therapy", "physical therapist", "doctor of physiotherapy", "doctor of physical therapy", "physiotherapist", "physiotherapy", "registered physical therapist", "licensed physical therapist", "physical therapy technician", "physical therapist assistant", "physical therapy assistant", "physiotherapist assistant", "physiotherapy assistant", "p.t. assistant", "p.t.", "r.p.t.", "l.p.t.", "c.p.t.", "d.p.t.", "m.p.t.", "p.t.a.", "registered p.t.a.", "licensed p.t.a.", "certified p.t.a.", "c.p.t.a.", "l.p.t.a.", "r.p.t.a.", and "p.t.t.".

Sec. 17824. (1) A If a physical therapist who is treating a patient upon on the prescription of receipt of a referral from a health care professional, as described in section 17820 the physical therapist shall do all of the following, as applicable:

(a) Refer the patient back to the health care professional who issued the prescription made the referral for treatment if the physical therapist has reasonable cause to believe that symptoms or conditions are present that require services beyond the scope of practice of physical therapy.

(b) Consult with the health care professional who issued the prescription made the referral for treatment if the patient does not show reasonable response to treatment in a time period consistent with the standards of practice as determined by the board.

(2) A If a physical therapist who is treating a patient without a prescription referral from a health care professional, under the conditions authorized in section 17820 the physical therapist shall do all of the following, as applicable:

(a) Refer the patient to an appropriate health care professional for treatment if the physical therapist has reasonable cause to believe that symptoms or conditions are present that require services beyond the scope of practice of physical therapy.

(b) Consult with an appropriate health care professional if the patient does not show reasonable response to treatment in a time period consistent with the standards of practice as determined by the board.

Enacting section 1. Section 17819 of the public health code, 1978 PA 368, MCL 333.17819, is repealed.