Podiatrists - As enacted, changes the scope of practice of a podiatrist from a person who examines, diagnoses, or treats, in addition to the ailments of the human foot and ankle, the soft tissue of the lower leg distal to the tibial tuberosity, instead of the soft tissue structures extending no higher than the distal tibial metaphyseal flair. - Amends TCA Title 63.

HB 2021 amends Tennessee law to clarify the scope of practice for podiatrists by updating the anatomical description of where they can treat soft tissue. The bill replaces the previous reference to "soft tissue structures extending no higher than the distal tibial metaphyseal flair" with "soft tissue of the lower leg distal to the tibial tuberosity." This change directly affects licensed podiatrists in Tennessee by defining their practice boundaries more clearly - allowing treatment of soft tissue below the tibial tuberosity (a bony bump on the shin) rather than the prior complex anatomical point near the knee. The amendment aims to simplify legal language without altering the fundamental scope of podiatry practice.