The way physical therapists in the territory will be certified, licensed, regulated and overseen will be updated for the first time in many decades, bringing it into conformity with national norms and expanding the roles of therapists, if a bill approved in committee Friday becomes law.
The bill sponsored by Sen. Clifford Graham replaces existing law setting up the V.I. Board of Physical Therapy, giving legal definitions of physical therapy and its elements, while giving the board broad powers to regulate and set licensing fees. [Bill 30-0102]
Introducing the bill to the Committee on Health, Hospitals, Human Services and Veterans Affairs on Friday, Sen. Sammuel Sanes said standards and practices in physical therapy had changed considerably in the half century since the existing law was enacted. And the bill would update the law to meet current standards, with language that comports with current norms, he said.
Health Commissioner Darice Plaskett and two professional physical therapists testified in support of the bill. The therapists had previously given qualified support during committee hearings in March, recommending some amendments that were approved Friday. (See Related Links below)
No one testified in opposition to the bill. Chiropractor Elizabeth Masiello raised some concerns about possible overlap with the role and oversight of chiropractors, but did not oppose the bill as amended.
Plaskett said Health supports this bill "because it strengthens the V.I. Board of Physical Therapy governing authority to regulate the practice of physical therapy in the territory."
According to Plaskett, the bill would largely enact model legislation approved in many stateside locations, called “the Model Practice Act for Physical Therapy"
"Many states have enacted large portions of the Model Practice Act as their jurisdictional statute," Plaskett said. The adoption of “The Model Practice Act for Physical Therapy” would improve the laws and rules regulating the practice of physical therapy in the territory and would ensure that physical therapists and physical therapist assistants are properly credentialed and qualified. This protects the public by barring incompetent or unfit individuals from offering physical therapy services,” Plaskett said.
Angelica Schuster, chairwoman of the V.I. Board of Physical Therapy, testified that the board supports the bill, with amendments to allow physical therapists to operate independently of a prescribing physician.
"The modernization of this bill is essential to protect consumers of physical therapy services and provide them access to the full abilities of physical therapists and physical therapy assistants while providing for territorial administrative control, supervision, licensure and regulation of the practice of physical therapy in the Virgin Islands,” Schuster said.
Voting to send the bill, as amended, on for further consideration by the Rules and Judiciary Committee were Sanes, Sens. Kenneth Gittens, Craig Barshinger, Alicia "Chucky" Hansen, Terrence "Positive" Nelson and Tregenza Roach. No one opposed the bill. All members were present.
