2025 -- H 6060

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LC002171

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- PHYSICAL THERAPISTS

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Bennett, Speakman, Casey, Baginski, Hopkins,
Chippendale, Casimiro, McNamara, Ackerman, and Hull

     Date Introduced: March 12, 2025

     Referred To: House Health & Human Services

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 5-40-23 of the General Laws in Chapter 5-40 entitled "Physical

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Therapists" is hereby amended to read as follows:

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     5-40-23. Ordering diagnostic imaging — Sunset Ordering diagnostic imaging.

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     (a) Physical therapists licensed pursuant to § 5-40-7 may order diagnostic imaging as

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defined in § 5-40-1 to be performed and interpreted by other licensed healthcare professionals.

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     (b) All diagnostic imaging tests ordered by a physical therapist shall be reported by the

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physical therapist to the patient’s designated primary care physician of record within seven (7) days

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following receipt of the results. This reporting shall not be required if the patient does not have a

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primary care physician.

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     (c) Managed healthcare plans shall provide a utilization report to the general assembly no

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later than September 1, 2022, and annually thereafter.

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     (d) Unless extended by the general assembly, physical therapists shall not be authorized to

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order diagnostic imaging as an authorized practice of physical therapy after December 31, 2025.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC002171

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- PHYSICAL THERAPISTS

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     This act would permit physical therapists to continue to order diagnostic imaging as an

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authorized practice of physical therapy beyond December 31, 2025.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC002171

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