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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, Second Regular Session
physical therapy board; continuation
Purpose
Continues the Arizona State Board of Physical Therapy (Board) for eight years.
Background
The Board was
established to regulate the practice of physical therapy in Arizona, certify
qualified applicants and take enforcement action and disciplinary action
against licensees, as necessary. Board duties include: 1) evaluating, licensing
and certifying qualified applicants;
2) providing for and adopting passing scores for national examinations for
physical therapists and physical therapist assistants; 3) establishing
mechanisms to assess continued professional competence of physical therapists
and physical therapist assistants; 4) maintaining a current list including the
names, current business and residential addresses, telephone numbers and
license or certificate numbers of all persons regulated by the Board; 5)
annually publishing final disciplinary actions taken against a licensee or
certificate holder; 6) annually publishing board rulings, opinions, and
interpretations of statutes of rules to guide physical therapists and physical
therapist assistants; 7) entering into contracts for services as necessary to
carry out the Board's duties;
8) meeting at least once every quarter; and 9) providing information to the
public regarding the board, its processes and consumer rights (A.R.S.
§ 32-2003).
The Board consists of seven members appointed by the Governor, including: 1) four physical therapists residing in Arizona that possess an unrestricted license to practice physical therapy and have been practicing in Arizona for at least five years before their appointment; 2) one physical therapist assistant residing in Arizona that possesses an unrestricted physical therapist assistant certificate; and 3) two public members residing in Arizona who are not affiliated with or have a financial interest in any health care profession but do have an interest in consumer rights. Members are appointed to staggered four-year terms. Members may not serve more than two successive terms or for more than 10 consecutive years. Members, upon request of the Board, can be removed by the Governor for misconduct, incompetence or neglect of duty (A.R.S. § 32-2002).
The Senate Health and Human Services Committee of Reference (COR) held a public meeting on January 11, 2024, to review and evaluate the Board's response to the sunset review factors and receive public testimony. The COR recommended that the Board be continued for eight years until July 1, 2032 (COR Report). The Board is set to terminate on July 1, 2024, unless continued by the Legislature (A.R.S. § 41-3024.02).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Continues, retroactive to July 1, 2024, the Board until July 1, 2032.
2. Repeals the Board on January 1, 2033.
3. Contains a purpose statement.
4. Becomes effective on the general effective date, with a retroactive provision as noted.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 15, 2024
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