SB470: Bill Text

LRB-4229/2

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2003 - 2004 LEGISLATURE

2003 Senate BILL 470

February 17, 2004 - Introduced by Senator Roessler, cosponsored by Representative Underheim. Referred to Committee on Health, Children, Families, Aging and Long Term Care.

SB470,1,2 An Act to create 448.56 (6) of the statutes; relating to: the practice of physical therapist assistants and granting rule-making authority.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Under current law that is effective April 1, 2004, a person may not use the title "physical therapist assistant" unless he or she has a license as a physical therapist assistant that is granted by the Physical Therapists Affiliated Credentialing Board (board). Current law does not specify what a licensed physical therapist assistant is allowed, or not allowed, to do.

This bill specifies that a person who is licensed as a physical therapist assistant may assist a physical therapist licensed by the board in the practice of physical therapy if the physical therapist provides direct or general supervision of the physical therapist assistant. The bill requires the board to promulgate rules that define what constitutes direct or general supervision. In addition, the bill's provisions do not interfere with certain other delegations to physical therapist assistants, such as delegations by physicians.

For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

SB470, s. 1 Section 1. 448.56 (6) of the statutes is created to read:

SB470,2,6 448.56 (6) Physical therapist assistants. A physical therapist assistant may assist a physical therapist in the practice of physical therapy if the physical therapist provides direct or general supervision of the physical therapist assistant. The affiliated credentialing board shall promulgate rules defining "direct or general supervision" for purposes of this subsection. Nothing in this subsection interferes with delegation authority under any other provision of this chapter.

SB470,2,7 (End)