Bill Text: HI SB547 | 2020 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating To The Physical Therapy Practice Act.

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2019-12-01 - Carried over to 2020 Regular Session. [SB547 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2020-SB547-Introduced.html

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THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	547
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to the Physical THERAPY practice act.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the physical therapy practice act was established in 1985, when healthcare was focused on the curing of illness.  Since that time, health care has evolved to a greater focus on the prevention of illness and disability, with the growth of evidence-based treatment intervention options for patient care.

     The legislature further finds that dry needling is a therapeutic intervention tool that is used in conjunction with other physical therapy interventions in order to improve patients' movement and function to treat chronic pain.  It is recognized by the American Physical Therapy Association, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists, and the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapists and has been utilized effectively to treat neuromuscular pain in specific pain populations, such as chronic pain, opioid dependence, work restrictions, and disability.

     The legislature additionally finds that the educational qualifications for physical therapists have increased since the practice act was established, with all new graduates now at the doctoral level.  Entry-level physical therapy programs provide more than eighty-six per cent of the relevant knowledge requirements for competency in dry needling, including evaluation, assessment, diagnosis and plan of care development, documentation, safety, and professional responsibilities.  This additional advanced training is almost solely related to the knowledge and psychomotor skills relating to needle technique, such as palpation and selection, placement, handling, and manipulation of needles.

     The legislature also finds that dry needling is recognized as a skilled intervention within the scope of physical therapy practice in all but seven states, California, Florida, Hawaii, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, and Washington.  Local therapists practicing in federal facilities, patients who benefited from its use in prior treatments, and therapists who have used it in their practice in states that permit it all support dry needling in Hawaii.

     The Legislature further finds that under existing law, physical therapists are prohibited from breaking or puncturing good skin integrity through surgery or injection.  This prohibition was originally intended to ensure that physical therapists did not perform surgery and medical procedures outside the scope of practice and education of physical therapists.  However, the existing law does not allow for modern techniques in physical therapy that are within the scope of physical therapy practice and education.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to clarify the scope of practice for licensed physical therapists to allow physical therapists to practice at their highest level of training and education for optimum patient care.

     SECTION 2.  Section 461J-1, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended as follows

     1.  By adding a new definition to be appropriately inserted and to read:

     ""Dry needling" is a skilled technique performed by a physical therapist using filiform needles to penetrate the skin or underlying tissues to affect change in body structures and functions for the evaluation and management of neuromusculoskeletal conditions, pain, movement impairments, and disability."

     2.  By amending the definitions of "physical therapy" or "physical therapy services" and "practice of physical therapy" to read:

     ""Physical therapy" or "physical therapy services" means the examination, treatment, and instruction of human beings to detect, assess, prevent, correct, alleviate, and limit physical disability, bodily malfunction, pain from injury, disease, and any other physical or mental condition as performed by a physical therapist appropriately licensed under this chapter.  It includes but is not limited to:

     (1)  Administration, evaluation, modification of treatment, and instruction involving the use of physical measures, activities, and devices, for preventive and therapeutic purposes; provided that should the care or treatment given by a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant contravene treatment diagnosed or prescribed by a medical doctor, osteopath, or as determined by the board, the physical therapist shall confer with the professional regarding the manner or course of treatment in conflict and take appropriate action in the best interest of the patient; and

     (2)  The provision of consultative, educational, and other advisory services for the purpose of reducing the incidence and severity of physical disability, bodily malfunction, or pain[.], including the promotion and maintenance of fitness, health, and quality of life in all age populations.

     "Practice of physical therapy" includes[,] but is not limited to[,] the use of the following:

     (1)  Physical agents, such as heat, cold, water, air, sound, compression, light, electricity, and electromagnetic radiation;

     (2)  Exercise with or without devices, joint mobilization, mechanical stimulation; dry needling; biofeedback; postural drainage; traction; positioning, massage, splinting, training in locomotion, and other functional activities with or without assisting devices; and correction of posture, body mechanics, and gait;

     (3)  Tests and measurements of:  muscle strength, force, endurance, and tone; joint motion, mobility, and stability; reflexes and automatic reaction; movement skill and accuracy; sensation and perception; peripheral nerve integrity; locomotor skill, stability, and endurance; activities of daily living; cardiac, pulmonary, and vascular functions; the fit, function, and comfort of prosthetic, orthotic, and other assisting devices; posture and body mechanics; limb strength, circumference, and volume; thoracic excursion and breathing patterns; vital signs; nature and locus of pain and conditions under which pain varies; photosensitivity; and the home and work physical environments."

     SECTION 3.  Section 461J-2.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "[[]§461J-2.5[]]  Prohibited practices.  A physical therapist shall not use invasive procedures.  For purposes of this section, an invasive procedure is the breaking or puncturing of a person's good skin integrity, for example, through surgery or injections.  Invasive procedures shall not include dry needling."

     SECTION 4.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

Report Title:

Physical Therapy; Dry Needling; Physical Therapy Practice Act

 

Description:

Amends the physical therapy practice act to allow physical therapists to practice dry needling.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.