70,12m
Section 12m. 448.50 (4) (b) of the statutes is created to read:
448.50 (4) (b) "Physical therapy" does not include using roentgen rays or radium for any purpose, using electricity for surgical purposes, including cauterization, or prescribing drugs or devices.
70,13
Section
13. 448.50 (5) of the statutes is created to read:
448.50 (5) "Sexual misconduct with a patient" means any of the following:
(a) Engaging in or soliciting a consensual or nonconsensual sexual relationship with a patient.
(b) Making sexual advances toward, requesting sexual favors from, or engaging in other verbal conduct or physical contact of a sexual nature with a patient.
(c) Intentionally viewing a completely or partially disrobed patient during the course of treatment if the viewing is not related to diagnosis or treatment.
70,14
Section
14. 448.50 (6) of the statutes is created to read:
448.50 (6) "Therapeutic intervention" means the purposeful and skilled interaction between a physical therapist, patient, and, if appropriate, individuals involved in the patient's care, using physical therapy procedures or techniques that are intended to produce changes in the patient's condition and that are consistent with diagnosis and prognosis.
70,15
Section
15. 448.51 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:
448.51 (1) Except as provided in s. 448.52, no person may practice physical therapy or designate himself or herself as a physical therapist or use or assume the title "physical therapist" or "physiotherapist" or "physical therapy technician" or append to the person's name the letters "P.T.", "P.T.T." or "R.P.T." or any other title, letters or designation which represents or may tend to represent the person as a physical therapist unless the person is licensed as a physical therapist under this subchapter.
70,16
Section
16. 448.51 (1e) of the statutes is created to read:
448.51 (1e) No person may designate himself or herself as a physical therapist or use or assume the title "physical therapist," "physiotherapist," "physical therapy technician," "licensed physical therapist," "registered physical therapist," "master of physical therapy," "master of science in physical therapy," or "doctorate in physical therapy," or append to the person's name the letters "P.T.," "P.T.T.," "L.P.T.," "R.P.T.," "M.P.T.," "M.S.P.T.," or "D.P.T.," or any other title, letters, or designation which represents or may tend to represent the person as a physical therapist, unless the person is licensed as a physical therapist under this subchapter.
70,17
Section
17. 448.51 (1s) of the statutes is created to read:
448.51 (1s) No person may designate himself or herself as a physical therapist assistant, use or assume the title "physical therapist assistant," or append to the person's name the letters "P.T.A." or any other title, letters, or designation that represents or may tend to represent the person as a physical therapist assistant unless the person is licensed as a physical therapist assistant under this subchapter.
70,18
Section
18. 448.51 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
448.51 (2) (a) In this subsection, "advertisement" includes advertisements that appear on outdoor signs, in print or electronic media, and in material mailed to a person other than a patient, client, or prospective patient or client who has requested the material.
70,19
Section
19. 448.51 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
448.51 (2) (b) Except as provided in par. (c) s. 448.52 (2m), no person may claim to render physical therapy or physiotherapy services unless the person is licensed as a physical therapist under this subchapter.
70,19e
Section 19e. 448.51 (2) (c) of the statutes is repealed.
70,19m
Section 19m. 448.52 (intro.) of the statutes is renumbered 448.52 (1m) (intro.) and amended to read:
448.52 (1m) (intro.) A license is not required under this subchapter for any of the following, if the person does not claim to render physical therapy or physiotherapy services as prohibited under s. 448.51 (2) (b):
70,19s
Section 19s. 448.52 (1) and (2) of the statutes are renumbered 448.52 (1m) (a) and (b).
70,19v
Section 19v. 448.52 (2m) of the statutes is created to read:
448.52 (2m) A license is not required under this subchapter for any of the following:
(a) Except as provided in par. (b), a chiropractor licensed under ch. 446 claiming to render physical therapy, if the physical therapy is provided by a physical therapist employed by the chiropractor.
(b) A chiropractor licensed under ch. 446 claiming to render physical therapy modality services.
70,20
Section
20. 448.52 (3) of the statutes is repealed.
70,21c
Section 21c. 448.52 (4) of the statutes is renumbered 448.52 (1m) (c) and amended to read:
448.52 (1m) (c) A physical therapy student practicing assisting a physical therapist in the practice of physical therapy or a physical therapist assistant student assisting a physical therapist in performing physical therapy procedures and related tasks, if the assistance is within the scope of the student's education or training.
70,21h
Section 21h. 448.52 (5) of the statutes is renumbered 448.52 (1m) (d).
70,21p
Section 21p. 448.522 of the statutes is created to read:
448.522 Manipulation services. A physical therapist may not claim that any manipulation service that he or she provides is in any manner a chiropractic adjustment that is employed to correct a spinal subluxation.
70,21t
Section 21t. 448.525 of the statutes is repealed.
70,22
Section
22. 448.527 of the statutes is created to read:
448.527 Code of ethics. The affiliated credentialing board shall promulgate rules establishing a code of ethics governing the professional conduct of physical therapists and physical therapist assistants.
70,23
Section
23. 448.53 (1) (f) of the statutes is created to read:
448.53 (1) (f) If the person was educated at a physical therapy school that is not in the United States, the person satisfies any additional requirements for demonstrating competence to practice physical therapy that the affiliated credentialing board may establish by rule.
70,24
Section
24. 448.535 of the statutes is created to read:
448.535 Licensure of physical therapist assistants. (1) The affiliated credentialing board shall grant a license as a physical therapist assistant to a person who does all of the following:
(a) Submits an application for the license to the department on a form provided by the department.
(b) Pays the fee specified in s. 440.05 (1).
(c) Subject to ss. 111.321, 111.322, and 111.335, submits evidence satisfactory to the affiliated credentialing board that the applicant does not have an arrest or conviction record.
(d) Submits evidence satisfactory to the affiliated credentialing board that the applicant is a graduate of a physical therapist assistant educational program accredited by an agency that is approved by the affiliated credentialing board.
(e) Passes an examination under s. 448.54.
(2) The affiliated credentialing board may waive a requirement under sub. (1) (d) or (e), or both, for an applicant who establishes to the satisfaction of the affiliated credentialing board that he or she is licensed as a physical therapist assistant by another licensing jurisdiction in the United States. The affiliated credentialing board shall promulgate rules for granting a waiver under this subsection. The rules may require an applicant to satisfy additional requirements as a condition for granting a waiver.
70,25
Section
25. 448.54 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:
448.54 (1) The affiliated credentialing board shall conduct or arrange for examinations for physical therapist and physical therapist assistant licensure at least semiannually and at times and places determined by the affiliated credentialing board.
70,26
Section
26. 448.54 (2) of the statutes is renumbered 448.54 (2) (a) and amended to read:
448.54 (2) (a) Except as provided in sub. (3), examinations for physical therapist licensure shall consist of written or oral tests, or both, requiring applicants to demonstrate minimum competency in subjects substantially related to the practice of physical therapy.
70,27
Section
27. 448.54 (2) (b) of the statutes is created to read:
448.54 (2) (b) Examinations for physical therapist assistant licensure shall consist of written or oral tests, or both, requiring applicants to demonstrate minimum competency in the technical application of physical therapy services.
70,28
Section
28. 448.54 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:
448.54 (3) The Notwithstanding s. 448.53 (1) (f), the affiliated credentialing board may not require an applicant for physical therapist licensure to take an oral examination or an examination to test proficiency in the English language for the sole reason that the applicant was educated at a physical therapy school that is not in the United States if the applicant establishes, to the satisfaction of the affiliated credentialing board, that he or she satisfies the requirements under s. 448.53 (3).
70,29
Section
29. 448.55 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
448.55 (2) The renewal dates for licenses granted under this subchapter, other than temporary licenses granted under rules promulgated under s. 448.53 (2), are specified under s. 440.08 (2) (a). Renewal applications shall be submitted to the department on a form provided by the department and shall include the renewal fee specified in s. 440.08 (2) (a) and proof of compliance with the requirements established in any rules promulgated under sub. (3).
70,30
Section
30. 448.55 (3) of the statutes is created to read:
448.55 (3) The affiliated credentialing board shall promulgate rules that require an applicant for renewal of a license to demonstrate continued competence as a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant.
70,31
Section
31. 448.56 (1m) of the statutes is created to read:
448.56 (1m) Duty to Refer. (a) A physical therapist shall refer a patient to an appropriate health care practitioner if the physical therapist has reasonable cause to believe that symptoms or conditions are present that require services beyond the scope of the practice of physical therapy.
(b) The affiliated credentialing board shall promulgate rules establishing the requirements that a physical therapist must satisfy if a physician, chiropractor, dentist, or podiatrist makes a written referral under sub. (1). The purpose of the rules shall be to ensure continuity of care between the physical therapist and the health care practitioner.
70,32
Section
32. 448.56 (4) of the statutes is created to read:
448.56 (4) Responsibility. A physical therapist is responsible for managing all aspects of the physical therapy care of each patient under his or her care.
70,33
Section
33. 448.56 (5) of the statutes is created to read:
448.56 (5) Patient records. A physical therapist shall create and maintain a patient record for every patient the physical therapist examines or treats.
70,35
Section
35. 448.565 of the statutes is created to read:
448.565 Complaints. The affiliated credentialing board shall promulgate rules establishing procedures and requirements for filing complaints against licensees and shall publicize the procedures and requirements.
70,36
Section
36. 448.567 of the statutes is created to read:
448.567 Performance audits. The affiliated credentialing board shall promulgate rules that require the affiliated credentialing board on a periodic basis to conduct performance self-audits of its activities under this subchapter.
70,37
Section
37. 448.57 (2) (am) of the statutes is created to read:
448.57 (2) (am) Interfered with an investigation or disciplinary proceeding by using threats, harassment, or intentional misrepresentation of facts.
70,38
Section
38. 448.57 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
448.57 (2) (b) Subject to ss. 111.321, 111.322, and 111.335, been convicted of an offense the circumstances of which substantially relate to the practice of physical therapy or assisting in the practice of physical therapy.
70,39
Section
39. 448.57 (2) (bm) of the statutes is created to read:
448.57 (2) (bm) Been adjudicated mentally incompetent by a court.
70,40
Section
40. 448.57 (2) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:
448.57 (2) (e) Subject to ss. 111.321, 111.322, and 111.34, practiced or assisted in the practice of physical therapy while the applicant's or licensee's ability to practice or assist was impaired by alcohol or other drugs.
70,41
Section
41. 448.57 (2) (f) of the statutes is amended to read:
448.57 (2) (f) Engaged in unprofessional or unethical conduct in violation of the code of ethics established in the rules promulgated under s. 448.527.
70,42
Section
42. 448.57 (2) (fm) of the statutes is created to read:
448.57 (2) (fm) Engaged in sexual misconduct with a patient.
70,43
Section
43. 448.57 (2) (g) of the statutes is amended to read:
448.57 (2) (g) Engaged in conduct while practicing or assisting in the practice of physical therapy which evidences a lack of knowledge or ability to apply professional principles or skills.
70,44
Section
44. 448.57 (3) of the statutes is created to read:
448.57 (3) (a) A licensee may voluntarily surrender his or her license to the affiliated credentialing board, which may refuse to accept the surrender if the affiliated credentialing board has received allegations of unprofessional conduct against the licensee. The affiliated credentialing board may negotiate stipulations in consideration for accepting the surrender of licenses.
(b) The affiliated credentialing board may restore a license that has been voluntarily surrendered under par. (a) on such terms and conditions as it considers appropriate.
70,45
Section
45. 448.57 (4) of the statutes is created to read:
448.57 (4) The affiliated credentialing board shall prepare and disseminate to the public an annual report that describes final disciplinary action taken against licensees during the preceding year.
70,46
Section
46. 448.57 (5) of the statutes is created to read: