1760                                     LAWS OF MARYLAND                                 Ch. 860

CHAPTER 860
(House Bill 1310)

AN ACT to repeal and re-enact, with amendments, Sections 605, 607, 608, 609,
610, 611, 612, 613 and 614 of Article 43 of the Annotated Code of Maryland
(1971 Replacement Volume and 1972 Supplement), title "Health," subtitle
"Physical Therapy," to provide for licensure of physical therapist assistants;
setting forth qualifications for the license, the procedures the assistant is
permitted to perform, the degree of supervision required and penalties for
violation.

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That Sections 605, 607, 608, 609, 610, 611, 612, 613 and 614 of
Article 43 of the Annotated Code of Maryland (1971 Replacement Volume and
1972 Supplement), title "Health," subtitle "Physical Therapy," are hereby repealed
and re-enacted, with amendments, and all to read as follows:

605.

(A)   "Physical therapist," as defined in this subtitle, means a person who
practices physical therapy.

(B)   "PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT", AS DEFINED IN THIS
SUBTITLE, MEANS A PERSON WHO WORKS UNDER THE DIRECTION
OF [ [All ONLY ONE PHYSICAL THERAPIST BY PERFORMING THOSE
PHYSICAL THERAPY PROCEDURES (AS LISTED IN SECTION 604, 3.)
WHICH ARE ASSIGNED TO HIM BY A PHYSICAL THERAPIST AND
WHICH ARE COMMENSURATE WITH HIS EDUCATION AND
TRAINING (AS DEFINED IN SECTION 610, (A),(3), BUT NOT THOSE
ACTIVITIES AS DEFINED IN SECTION 604, 1. AND 2.). DIRECTION AS
DEFINED IN THIS SUBTITLE SHALL MEAN THAT THE PHYSICAL
THERAPIST SHALL MAINTAIN CONTINUING VERBAL AND
WRITTEN CONTACT WITH THE PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT
INCLUDING PERIODIC ON-SITE SUPERVISION AND INSTRUCTION
ADEQUATE TO ENSURE THE SAFETY AND WELFARE OF THE
PATIENT.

607.

Semiannually, or more often if the Board shall deem it necessary, the said
Board shall hold an examination for applicants for (licenses to practice physical
therapy in this State.] LICENSURE AS PHYSICAL THERAPISTS AND
PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANTS. Notice of time and place of such
examination shall be given by one or more announcements in a daily newspaper
published in the City of Baltimore and by such other methods as the said Board
may see fit to use.

608.

The said Board is empowered to pass upon the qualifications of applicants for
[licenses] LICENSURE AS PHYSICAL THERAPISTS AND PHYSICAL
THERAPIST ASSISTANTS and shall make such OTHER rules and regulations,
not inconsistent with this subtitle, as are necessary for the examination and
[licensing] LICENSURE of applicants, and for suspension or revocation of
licenses.