As Introduced

130th General Assembly Regular Session 2013-2014

H. B. No. 220

Representative Hood 

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A BILL

To amend section 4755.40 of the Revised Code to

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modify the scope of practice of a physical

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therapist.

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BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:

Section 1. That section 4755.40 of the Revised Code be	4
amended to read as follows:	5

Sec. 4755.40.  As used in sections 4755.40 to 4755.56 and	6
4755.99 of the Revised Code:	7

(A)(1) "Physical therapy" means theall of the following, for	8
the purpose of preventing, correcting, or alleviating physical	9
impairments, functional limitations, or any disability:	10

(a) The evaluation andof a person to determine a diagnosis	11
of physical impairment, functional limitations, or disability, to	12
determine a prognosis, and to determine a plan of therapeutic	13
intervention;	14

(b) The treatment of a person by physical measures and the,	15
which include massage, heat, cold, air, light, water, electricity,	16
sound, manual therapy techniques, and the performance of tests of	17
neuromuscular function as an aid to such treatment;	18

(c) The use of therapeutic exercises and rehabilitative	19
procedures, with or without assistive devices, for the purpose of	20
preventing, correcting, or alleviating any disability. If	21

(2) If performed by a person who is adequately trained,	22
physical therapy includes all of the following:	23

(1)(a) The design, fabrication, revision, education, and	24
instruction in the use of various assistive devices including	25
braces, splints, ambulatory or locomotion devices, wheelchairs,	26
prosthetics, and orthotics;	27

(2)(b) The administration of topical drugs that have been	28
prescribed by a licensed health professional authorized to	29
prescribe drugs, as defined in section 4729.01 of the Revised	30
Code;	31

(3)(c) The establishment and modification of physical therapy	32
programs, treatment planning, patient education and instruction,	33
and consultative services;	34

(4)(d) Physiotherapy;

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(e) Ordering appropriate tests, including diagnostic imaging	36
and studies, that are performed and interpreted by other licensed	37
health care professionals.	38

Physical measures include massage, heat, cold, air, light,	39
water, electricity, sound, and the performance of tests of	40
neuromuscular function as an aid to such treatment.	41

(3) Physical therapy does not include the medical diagnosis	42
of a patient's disability, the use of Roentgen rays or radium for	43
diagnostic or therapeutic purposes, or the use of electricity for	44
cauterization or other surgical purposes.	45

(B) "Physical therapist" means a person who practices or	46
provides patient education and instruction in physical therapy and	47
includes a physiotherapist.	48

(C) "Physical therapist assistant" means a person who assists	49
in the provision of physical therapy treatments, including the	50
provision of patient education and instruction, under the	51
supervision of a physical therapist.	52

(D) "Supervision" means the availability and responsibility	53
of the supervisor for direction of the actions of the person	54
supervised.	55

Section 2. That existing section 4755.40 of the Revised Code	56
is hereby repealed.	57