Physical therapy; extends time allowed for a therapist to evaluate and treat patients.

Department of Health Professions; practice ofphysical therapy. Extends from 30 days to 60 days the time allowedfor a physical therapist who has completed a doctor of physical therapyprogram approved by the Commission on Accreditation of Physical TherapyEducation or who has obtained a certificate of authorization to evaluate and treat patients after an initial evaluation without areferral under certain circumstances. The bill also provides thatafter discharging a patient a physical therapist shall not performan initial evaluation of a patient without a referral if the physicaltherapist has performed an initial evaluation of the patient forthe same condition within the immediately preceding 60 days.