Bill No.: SF0054                  Drafter:  JWL

LSO No.:  09LSO-0248              Effective Date:  7/1/2009

Enrolled Act No.:  SEA0058

Chapter No.:       134

Prime Sponsor:     Senator Massie

Catch Title:       Physical therapist licensure.

Subject:  Miscellaneous amendments to the physical therapists licensing act.

Summary/Major Elements:  This act makes numerous amendments to the physical therapists licensing act.  The act:

· Gives the Wyoming Board of Physical Therapy authority to obtain injunctions in an appropriate court;

· Requires criminal background checks of applicants for licensure and certification;

· Amends definitions, including the definition of "physical therapy";

· Distinguishes between the Board's issuance of licenses to physical therapists and certificates to physical therapist assistants;

· Authorizes the employment under supervision of physical therapy aides;

· Provides exceptions to licensing requirements for student interns, federally employed physical therapists, instructors at seminars, athletic team physical therapists, consulting physical therapists and in the case of state or national emergencies;

· Requires that a Board member who is a physical therapist have been a Wyoming licensed therapist for at least three years;

· Amends the Board's powers and duties;

· Revises examination and licensing requirements for therapists and therapy assistants;

· Amends grounds for discipline of license and certificate holders;

· Provides civil immunity to board members, board employees and persons reporting information to the board in good faith without fraud or malice.