House Bill 847

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 73-23-33, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO ALLOW PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS TO REFER PATIENTS TO PHYSICAL THERAPISTS FOR TREATMENT; TO EXTEND THE DATE OF REPEAL ON THE DEFINITION SECTION OF THE MISSISSIPPI PHYSICAL THERAPY LAW; TO AMEND SECTION 73-23-35, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT IT SHALL BE UNLAWFUL TO USE CERTAIN TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS IMPLYING PHYSICAL THERAPY SERVICES IN CONNECTION WITH A PARTY'S NAME UNLESS THE PARTY PROVIDING SUCH SERVICES IS LICENSED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS ACT; TO ALLOW PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS TO REFER PATIENTS TO PHYSICAL THERAPISTS FOR TREATMENT; TO EXTEND THE DATE OF REPEAL ON THAT SECTION; TO AMEND SECTION 73-23-39, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO EXEMPT FROM STATE LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS ANY PHYSICAL THERAPISTS LICENSED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS TEACHING OR PARTICIPATING IN PHYSICAL THERAPY EDUCATION PROJECTS IN THIS STATE OR PROVIDING SERVICES TO VISITING ESTABLISHED ATHLETIC ORGANIZATIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 73-23-41, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE CERTAIN QUALIFICATIONS OF PHYSICIAN MEMBERS APPOINTED TO THE BOARD; TO PROVIDE STAGGERED TERMS FOR MEMBERS APPOINTED TO THE BOARD AND THE PROCEDURE FOR FILLING VACANCIES ON THE BOARD; TO AMEND SECTION 73-23-43, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CLARIFY AND REVISE THE POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE BOARD; TO AMEND SECTION 73-23-45, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE DISBURSEMENT OF MONIES IN THE PHYSICAL THERAPY FUND UPON WARRANTS ISSUED BY THE STATE FISCAL OFFICER UPON REQUISITION OF THE BOARD OR ITS DESIGNEE; TO AMEND SECTION 73-23-47, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE QUALIFICATIONS FOR PERSONS DESIRING TO PRACTICE PHYSICAL THERAPY IN THIS STATE; TO REQUIRE THE PAYMENT OF A NONREFUNDABLE EXAMINATION FEE AS SET BY THE BOARD; TO AMEND SECTION 73-23-49, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE ALL PERSONS DESIRING TO BE LICENSED AS A PHYSICAL THERAPIST OR PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT TO PAY AN APPLICATION FEE FIXED ANNUALLY BY THE BOARD; TO AUTHORIZE THE BOARD TO ADOPT A FEE SCHEDULE; TO PROVIDE THAT THE CURRENT FEES SET BY THE BOARD IN EFFECT BEFORE JULY 1, 2008, SHALL REMAIN IN EFFECT UNTIL SUCH TIME THE BOARD ACTS TO IMPLEMENT A NEW FEE SCHEDULE; TO AUTHORIZE THE BOARD TO ASSESS THE APPLICANT FOR LICENSURE AN ADDITIONAL FEE FOR COST ASSOCIATED WITH THE BOARD'S USE OF A NATIONAL TESTING SERVICE FOR THE PREPARATION, ADMINISTRATION OR GRADING OF EXAMINATIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 73-23-51, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CLARIFY THE REQUIREMENTS OF LICENSED FOREIGN PHYSICAL THERAPISTS; TO AMEND SECTION 73-23-53, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF A TEMPORARY LICENSE TO ANY PHYSICAL THERAPIST OR PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT LICENSED IN ANOTHER STATE WHO IS MOVING INTO THIS STATE AND HAS FILED AN APPLICATION WITH THE BOARD FOR A PERMANENT LICENSE IN THIS STATE; TO AMEND SECTION 73-23-57, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THE PAYMENT OF THE FEE SET BY THE BOARD FOR THE RENEWAL OF A PHYSICAL THERAPIST LICENSE; TO AUTHORIZE THE BOARD TO ESTABLISH THE MANNER BY WHICH LAPSED LICENSES SHALL BE REVIVED, EXTENDED OR REINSTATED; TO AMEND SECTION 73-23-59, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE AUTHORITY OF THE BOARD TO SUSPEND, REVOKE, OR REFUSE TO ISSUE OR RENEW ANY LICENSE OR TAKE ANY OTHER ACTION AS A SANCTION AGAINST LICENSEES FOUND TO BE IN VIOLATION OF THIS ACT; TO ALLOW PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS TO REFER PATIENTS TO PHYSICAL THERAPISTS FOR TREATMENT; TO EXTEND THE DATE OF REPEAL ON THAT SECTION; TO AMEND SECTION 73-23-63, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE NOTICE REQUIREMENTS FOR PERSONS WHOSE APPLICATION FOR A LICENSE IS DENIED FOR PURPOSES OF A HEARING; TO AMEND SECTION 73-23-64, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCREASE THE PENALTY FOR PERSONS IN VIOLATION OF SECTION 73-23-59, AND ESTABLISH PENALTIES FOR SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES; TO AUTHORIZE THE BOARD TO SUMMARILY SUSPEND THE LICENSE OF ANY LICENSEE PENDING PROCEEDINGS BEFORE THE BOARD; TO AUTHORIZE THE BOARD TO ISSUE ADVISORY LETTERS TO LICENSEES IF THE COMPLAINT OR INVESTIGATION DOES NOT MERIT DISCIPLINARY ACTION BY THE BOARD; TO AUTHORIZE THE BOARD TO LEVY UPON ANY LICENSEE OR APPLICANT FOR LICENSURE THE COST INCURRED IN THE INVESTIGATION AND PROSECUTION OF ANY LICENSURE OR DISCIPLINARY ACTION; TO CREATE A NEW SECTION TO BE CODIFIED AS SECTION 73-23-67, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THE BOARD TO MAINTAIN CONFIDENTIAL RECORDS OF INFORMATION RELATING TO THE RECEIPT AND INVESTIGATION OF COMPLAINTS FILED AGAINST LICENSEES OR APPLICANTS UNTIL SUCH INFORMATION IS DISCLOSED IN THE COURSE OF INVESTIGATIONS OR SUBSEQUENT PROCEEDINGS BEFORE THE BOARD; TO REQUIRE THAT INFORMATION OF PATIENT RECORDS RELATING TO DIAGNOSTIC FINDINGS AND PATIENT IDENTIFICATION REMAINS CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION FOR THE BOARD AND NOT BE SUBJECT TO PUBLIC DISCLOSURE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

In the House of Representatives

• D. Stephen Holland

  Sponsor

l9n doesn't hold this bill's text yet.

In the House of Representatives Feb 4 – Feb 26

1. Feb 4Referred to the House committee on Public Health and Human Services
2. Feb 18Reported from committee in the House: title sufficient, do pass as a committee substitute
3. Feb 26Committee substitute adopted in the House
4. Passed the House

In the Senate Feb 28 – Mar 25

1. Feb 28Sent to the Senate
2. Mar 3Referred to the Senate committee on Public Health and Welfare
3. Mar 12Reported from committee in the Senate: title sufficient, do pass
4. Mar 25Passed the Senate

To the Governor Mar 26 – Apr 8

1. Mar 26Returned to the House for enrolling
2. Mar 31Enrolled bill signed in the House
3. Apr 1Enrolled bill signed in the Senate
4. Apr 8Approved by the Governor