HB 491 (BR 1377) - T. Thompson, R. Palumbo
AN ACT relating to prosthetics, orthotics, and pedorthics.
Establish and create new sections of KRS Chapter 319B, regarding the licensing and regulation of practitioners of prosthetics, orthotics, and pedorthics; define terms for the chapter; establish the Kentucky Board of Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Pedorthics and its appointment and meeting procedures; clarify board liability to include requirement that current or former board members or affiliated persons act with ordinary care; delineate the duties of the board; require the board to administer and enforce the provisions of the chapter and to promulgate administrative regulations to establish factors for licensure and certification of licensed prosthetists, orthotists, and pedorthists, and certified orthotic fitters; state additional powers of the board, including the authority to employ needed personnel and contract with the Division of Occupations and Professions for the provision of administrative services; declare rules for actual physical licenses and certificates, practice authorization, and scope of practice; set a July 1, 2011, deadline for practice outside the provisions of the chapter; clarify that both major certifying boards for pedorthists are considered equivalent for pedorthist certification and standards of practice until superseded by the board's standards on July 1, 2011; require the board to reject any license application made by July 1, 2011, when the application is based on a previous certification, unless the certification was originally held by the applicant prior to January 1, 2009; indicate that care or services eligible for reimbursement by Medicare, Medicaid, or health insurance may only be provided pursuant to an order from a licensed physician or advanced registered nurse practitioner; exempt individuals engaging in their profession from the authority of Chapter 319B, including licensed health care practitioners or providers, physical therapists, occupational therapists, physicians, chiropractors, pharmacists, and other specified individuals; exclude application of the chapter to the practice of prosthetics, orthotics, or pedorthics by licensed physicians, federal employees, designated students, or defined orthosis manufacturer employees; forbid any person from practicing as or professing to be any of the licensed or certified professionals in the chapter without a valid current license or certificate; establish license expiration and renewal dates and procedures; authorize the board to grant reciprocity with other jurisdictions, discipline licensees or deny applicants for unprofessional conduct, and set fees within specified limits; list penalties for violations of provisions of the chapter; exempt the initial prosthetist, orthotist, and pedorthist appointments to the board from the licensing requirement; make all subsequent practitioner appointments to the board comply with the standard licensing requirements; name KRS Chapter 319B the "Henry Brown Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Pedorthics Act."
Feb 23-introduced in House
Feb 24-to Licensing & Occupations (H)
