Bill Text: HI HB701 | 2019 | Regular Session | Amended


Bill Title: Relating To The Physical Therapy Practice Act.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2019-02-15 - Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on CPC with Representative(s) Lowen, San Buenaventura, Say voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Aquino, DeCoite, Nakamura, Quinlan, Thielen excused (5). [HB701 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2019-HB701-Amended.html

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

701

THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019

H.D. 1

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 perform a study to determine if the scope of practice for physical therapists should be expanded to include dry needling treatment and therapy.

     SECTION 2.  The legislative reference bureau shall conduct a study of the laws and regulations regarding dry needling therapy in other states as they pertain to the practice of physical therapists.  This study shall consider:

     (1)  The scope of practice of both physical therapists and acupuncturists in other states in which physical therapists are permitted to perform dry needling techniques and therapies;

     (2)  The market share of acupuncturists and physical therapists in other states; and

     (3)  Any external factors leading other states to adopt or refuse to adopt laws or regulations allowing physical therapists to perform dry needling techniques and therapies.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.



 

Report Title:

Physical Therapy; Dry Needling; Study

 

Description:

Requires the Legislative Reference Bureau to perform a study to determine if the physical therapy practice act should be amended to allow physical therapists to practice dry needling. (HB701 HD1)

 

 

 

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

 

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