STATE REPRESENTATIVE NETWORK, AASPT
2023 – 2nd quarter report
The following is an overview of the information collected by the State Representative Network. The states not listed do not currently have a State Representative to the AASPT. If you are interested in serving as a State Representative for the Section, please contact Greg Alnwick at [email protected].
Thank you and welcome to our newest representative(s) Jessica Tidswell (Utah) your time is greatly appreciated.
ALABAMA – Representative: Domonique Martin
· PT Night Out- Birmingham, AL June 27.
· APTA Alabama Annual Conference- Birmingham, AL Aug 25-27.
· Continuing Education Courses:
o APTA Alabama Blood Flow Restriction Therapy and Management of Orthopedic and Sports Conditions (Webinar).
o IAMT LQ Examinations and Treatments (Aug 19-20).
ALASKA – Representative: Rebecca Byerley
· Alaska becoming member of the PT Compaq.
o Senate Bill 74 and HB 137 -introduced- An Act titled: ‘Physical Therapy Licensure Compaq’ and ‘An Act related to an interstate physical therapy licensure compact’
o Chapter representatives, key contacts with the PT Compaq, and Physical Therapists from across the state provided testimony expressing ‘support’ for this legislation.
o Multiple zoom and phone calls were made during committee hearings.
▪ Chair of Labor and Commerce Th, 2/24/2023
▪ Senate Labor and Commerce- Wed, March 8, 2023
▪ Senate- committee hearing -Monday, April 24 2023
▪ The Senate and House Bills related to the PT Compaq stalled end of April 2023 due to other business of both chambers and legislative session coming to an end.
▪ Anticipate re-introducing compaq bills in the 2024 legislative session.
ARIZONA – Representative: John Heick
· Nothing to report.
ARKANSAS – Representative: Bill Bandy
· Nothing to report.
CALIFORNIA–Representative: Andrew Saldivar
· Nothing to report.
COLORADO – Representative: Marc Phillips
· APTA Colorado is proud to introduce our new Learning Center! This intuitive platform allows members and prospects to navigate custom learning pathways with virtual courses and webinars, receive on-demand certificates, and keep track of education hours. These on-demand courses offer an easy, attractive and affordable way for learners to gain education on their own time and at their own speed!
· The APTA Nominating Committee is seeking nominations for the 2023 APTA Colorado Board elections. Nominations are due by Monday, July 31, 2023. The Nominating Committee is looking for volunteers to fill the following positions:
o President (4 Years Total - 1 Year as President Elect/3 Years as President)
o Vice President (2 Year Term)
o Secretary (2 Year Term)
o Director at Large - Practice Director (2 Year Term)
o Director at Large - Young Professionals Director (2 Year Term)
o Director at Large - PTA Director (2 Year Term)
o Chief Delegate (3 Years Total - 1 Year as Chief Delegate Elect/2 Years as Chief Delegate) o Delegate at Large (2 Year Term)
o Nominating Committee Members (2 positions open) (3 Year Term)
CONNECTICUT--Representative: Peg Grey
· Nothing to report.
DELAWARE – Representative: Angela Smith
· The board of Physical Therapy and Athletic trainers has received confirmation that a lawsuit has been filed against them.
· Callaway and Kahlon v. Delaware Board of Physical Therapists and Athletic Trainers, CA No. 2023- 0235, Chancery Court*
· The Delaware Examining Board of Physical Therapists and Athletic Trainers was sued in Delaware Court of Chancery. The court action was filed by Burr & Forman and Cross & Simon on behalf of an orthopedic surgeon and a physical therapist who allege that the board violates federal and state law by blocking physical therapists from being employed by physician-owned practices and providing services to patients of their employers. Counsel have not yet appeared for the defendant. The case is 2023-0235, Kathy Callaway, PT, CHT vs Delaware Examining Board of Physical Therapists and Athletic Trainers.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA- Representative: McKenzie Bane
· Tentative start of issuing PT Compact licenses in August 2023
· APTA Capitol Hill Day
o July 24-25, 2023
o Held in conjunction with the APTA Leadership Congress
o PTPAC’s 50th anniversary party: July 24th, 8-10pm at the LINE Hotel in DC.
· APTA DC & Maryland Annual Conference and PT Expo: Nov 4th, 2023 8am-5pm
· PREP (Physical Rehab Exposure Program) is seeking clinics to host High School interns o 10 hrs/wk from June 26 – August 4, 2023
o Email [email protected] for more information
FLORIDA-Representative: Carey Rothschild
· Nothing to report.
GEORGIA – Representative: Ross Brakeville
· Sports/Ortho Focused Interest Group continuing to progress with activities to increase membership including Journal Club, Technology/Innovation updates and scheduling a symposium for fall 2023.
HAWAI’I – Representative: Ryan Moore
· Nothing to report.
IDAHO – Representative: Kyle Sela
· Nothing to report.
ILLINOIS – Representative: Vanessa Retondo
· Nothing to report.
INDIANA- Representative: Shane Sommers
· Nothing to report.
IOWA – Representative: Shane McClinton
· Legislative
o Both of APTA Iowa’s affirmative pieces of legislation have passed both chambers, are enrolled, but have not been acted on by the Governor. The Governor will have until June 3rd to act on both bills. Since both bills are silent on their effective date, they will become effective on July 1, 2023.
▪ HF 174 (Diagnostic Imaging) if signed will allow a PT to directly refer a patient for imaging. The images will then need to be interpreted by a properly credentialed health care provider and will then be shared with the patient’s primary care provider for
continuity of care.
▪ SF 528 (Crossbow Licenses) if signed will allow PTs to authorize a patient to use a crossbow during bow hunting season. This bill does not expand the eligibility of those that are allowed to obtain their crossbow license, but only adds PTs to the list of care providers that are permitted to determine if a patient is eligible for a cross bow license.
o Another APTA Iowa priority bill is HF 357 (Health Care Employment Agencies). If signed by the Governor, this bill will amend the legislation passed last year regulating the actions of health care employment agencies. Currently, physical therapists are included in the definition of direct care workers under the law. The legislation would exempt physical therapists, occupational therapists, physician assistants, and speech pathologists among other providers.
KANSAS – Representative: Daniel Larson
· Nothing to report.
KENTUCKY – Representative: Chris Sharrock
· Nothing to report.
LOUISIANA - Representative: Austin Hughes
· Nothing to report.
MAINE- Representative: Lloyd Beckett
· Nothing to report.
MARYLAND – Representative: Michael Zarro
· A bill allowing athletic trainers to begin dry needling passed both the Maryland house and senate and will go in to effect Oct 1, 2023.
· The bill calls for similar education and oversight requirements as physical therapists in the state.
MASSACHUSETTS- Representative: Dan McGovern
· On May 20th, Athletic Pre-Participation Physical Exams for performed for 150 Boston Public School student/athletes, the staff from Mass General Brigham Sports Medicine included physicians, athletic trainers, physical therapists, and department administrators.
· On June 27th, the 2nd Annual Mass General Brigham Athletic Training Conference “Interprofessional Concussion Management of the Interscholastic Athlete” will be held in Foxborough, MA. · On September 20th-23rd, the 2023 Orthopaedic Summit will be held in Boston, MA. This event includes an Orthopaedic Sports Rehab track, featuring several AASPT members as speakers.
MICHIGAN--Representative: Corey Snyder
· Nothing to report.
MINNESOTA – Representative: Jaynie Bjornaraa
· Nothing to report.
MISSISSIPPI – Representative: Stephen Dill
· Nothing to report.
MISSOURI- Representative: Chuck Rainey
· Nothing to report.
MONTANA – Representative: Laura Opstedal
· MAPTA Fall Conference: Oct 7-8th, 2023, Missoula, “The assessment & Treatment of Scoliosis” Meghan Teed, DPT & “Lifestyle Medicine: good for you, good for your patients”; MAPTA Winter Conference: January 27- 28th, 2024, Kalispell or Great Falls TBD.
· Continuing Education: “Modern Management of the Older Adult”, ICE, June 10-11th, 2023, Zootown Crossfit, Missoula; “Barbell Medicine Seminar” June 24-25th, Build Physio & Performance, Bozeman; “Sloptimal Loading- Scot Morrison” August 5-6, 2023, Build Physio & Performance, Bozeman; Blood Flow Restriction Training- Owens Recovery Science, Sept 30, 2023, Build Physio & Performance, Bozeman.
NEBRASKA – Representative: Dan McCutchen
· The APTA of Nebraska is joining many state healthcare groups in fighting cuts to Medicaid across the state. A line-item veto was used by Governor Pillen that reduced $45 million in Medicaid rates.
NEVADA- Representative: Steven Liaos
· Nothing to report.
NEW HAMPSHIRE – Representative: Greg Alnwick
· HB188 has passed the legislature this session.
· This bill strikes the 25 day requirement from our current direct access law, which functionally makes NH a state with unrestricted direct access!
· APTA NH is sponsoring a Blood Flow Restriction Course on September 9 from 8:00am – 5:00pm. For more information: https://www.nhapta.org/ChapterEvents/eventView.asp?EventID=145 . To register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/blood-flow-restriction-tickets-615230530077.
· The theme for our annual conference this year is “Balancing Act” which will combine balance/vestibular related content with programming around self care and work-life balance.
· President of APTA NH, Mark Mailloux, will be going to Washington in July for a meeting regarding Model State Practice Act changes offered by FSBPT.
NEW JERSEY – Representative: Edison Au
· The NJ Sports Physical Therapy SIG: https://aptanj.org/page/SportsptSIG.
o The goal of the committee is to develop & promote Sports PT in the state, through analysis of sports trends at all levels, host continuing education courses, and foster discussion about PTs role in various settings.
· Meetings held this quarter: March 28, 2023. Working with Elite Soccer in NJ/US Developmental System, with speakers:
o Jennifer Charron (PT, DPT, SCS) – US Soccer Federation, Network Professional/Medical Staff. o Michael Staropoli (PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS) – New York Red Bulls (MLS).
o Andy Seraphin (DPT, SCS, CSCS) – New York Red Bulls Academy
· Next meeting: June 6, 2023.
o Ivy Rehab Sports PT Residency program underway (2023 ~ 10 residents); affiliated with Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS).
o NJ Sports PT SIG looking to develop courses for Sports PT prep program: Athletic Taping and Bandage course tentatively scheduled for Sept. 17, 2023.
· As of June 1, PT compact privileges will be available for the state of New Jersey, bringing the total number of states issuing compact privileges to thirty. NJ PTs who want to work in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, or Wisconsin, will be able to go to ptcompact.org to verify their eligibility and purchase compact privileges, giving them the ability to provide physical therapy services in those states.
New Mexico – Representative: Adam Walsh
· Certified Exercise Expert for Aging Adults course series, held at University of New Mexico, began March 2023 with the next courses in June and August.
· House Bill 131 passed, expanding access to prosthetic and orthotic devices by classifying physical activity as a medical necessity.
· House Bill 38 passed, expanding rural tax credit in New Mexico to $3000 per year for PTs in rural areas. · House Bill 2 passed, assisting in loan repayment and forgiveness for PTs.
· Senate Bill 111 passed, temporarily suspending provisional and initial license fees for PTs from July 1, 2023 through July 1, 2026.
· Senate Bill 412 to allow physical therapists to order imaging passed out of subcommittee but stalled. · Medicare to increase reimbursement rates.
· Addition of New Mexico into the PT Compact stalled in legislature.
· Graduate Student Loan Program, providing educational loans at 2% per year, stalled in legislature.
NEW YORK – Representative: Jacob Mcpherson
· A.6345 Weaprin -- Same as S.1470 Breslin
o Limits outpatient PT copayments cannot exceed copayments established for primary care physicians.
o Introduce and referred to Insurance committee within each chamber
· A2300 Clark – Same as S. 3361 Kennedy:
o Removes limits on the duration of treatment by a licensed physical therapist when a patient does not have a referral.
o Introduced and referred to Higher Education committee within each chamber
· A1204 Zebrowsk – Same as S. 6501 Kennedy
o Authorizes treatment of workers' compensation injuries by an occupational therapy assistant and a physical therapist assistant
o Introduced and referred to Labor committee within each chamber
· A219 Solanges – Same as S. 952 Bailey
o Relates to the licensure of athletic trainers
o Introduced and referred to Higher Education committee within each chamber
NORTH CAROLINA –Ann Marie Husk
· PT Advocacy:
o If any PT or PTA programs would like Ginger Garner, PT, DPT the legislative chair for the APTA NC to speak in their professional issues courses on PT advocacy, she is happy to do so. o She has spoken at many programs so far, Duke University, Elon University, Wingate University, and Campbell University.
o Please contact her at [email protected]
· In April 2021, the APTA NC introduced the NEW ADOPT A LEGISLATOR program. o To help PTs establish a KEY CONTACT to their state representative.
o 120 House district and 50 Senate district key contacts are needed.
o You can make a big impact the next time APTA NC introduces legislation.
o Check out this webpage with a video message about advocacy from Ginger Garner, PT, DPT the legislative chair for APTA NC https://aptanc.org/page/Advocacy. You will also find a link to the list of state representatives and a link to a template you can use to contact your representative by email or phone.
o Want to get involved? Complete this form. Next, follow these directions to get started: o Look up your State representatives here and add your name and email as the Key Contact in this spreadsheet beside your legislators’ names and in the Key Contact list as well (there are 3 sheets inside the spreadsheet, please update each one.
o Use this template to email and phone your representative. Their contact information is on the Google spreadsheet. You can personalize the script and then send an email to your representative and follow up with a phone call.
o Please update the spreadsheet to reflect the date that you contacted your reps.
o Establishing contact and a relationship with your legislator will be helpful when the chapter is introducing or supporting legislation.
· Current 2023 Initiatives to improve access to Physical Therapy Services.
o Imaging rights
o Improving copay burden of cost
o Building awareness of PTs as providers of concussion care
NORTH DAKOTA – Representative: Kevin Axtman
· The North Dakota Legislature has concluded its business for 2023 with the following bills affecting PT’s. · SB 2191: passed and adds PTs to the list of health care practitioners who may issue handicap parking permits. · HB 1221: passed and makes it clear name tags must state the individual’s profession. PTs are already in compliance.
· HB 1372: was a bill that gave almost instant licensure for foreign practitioners. It was defeated in the House. · Bills that passed will become law beginning August 1, 2023.
OHIO – Representative: Jeffrey Swiers
· Nothing to report.
OKLAHOMA– Representative: Josh Williams
· Nothing to report.
OREGON – Representative: Nick Thompson
· Nothing to report.
PENNSYLVANIA – Representative: Ivan Mulligan
· The PA legislature is beginning its session and there are two companion bills that the APTA PA is monitoring. SB 559 and SB 560 are bills to expand the scope of practice for athletic training in the Commonwealth. Athletic trainers may be licensed under either the State Board of Medicine or State Board of Osteopathic Medical Practice Act which is the reason for two bills. These bills are currently opposed by several associations including APTA PA. The bills are currently in the Senate’s Professional Licensure Committee. More information will be provided as the session continues.
RHODE ISLAND – Representative: Kevin Alexander
· Nothing to report.
SOUTH CAROLINA – Representative: Chris Hopkins
· Nothing to report.
SOUTH DAKOTA- Representative: Matt Dewald
· Senate Bill (SB) 78 for an independent PT board has passed unanimously in the Senate and 64-5 in the House and was signed by Governor Noem. This will allow Physical Therapy to have more autonomy in South Dakota.
TENNESSEE – Representative: Bryan Clary
· Nothing to report.
TEXAS – Representative: Toko Nguyen
· Nothing to report.
UTAH- Representative: Jessica Tidswell
· New CEU rules went into effect March 27, 2023 that apply to the 2021-2023 CEU reporting period. o New requirements include greater flexibility in how, where, and when you receive your CE credits.
o https://www.aptaut.org/ceu_requirements.php
· APTA Utah Annual Spring conference occurred April 21-22 at Weber State University. · Continuing Education Courses upcoming/ongoing through APTA Utah:
o Medical Management of the Long COVID, MCAS, POTS, EDS and the Medically Complex – What ALL PTs Need to Know!
▪ Thursday August 27, 2023 | 7:00pm
▪ University of Utah South Jordan clinic | Also on Zoom
▪ Members only. Join the Pelvic Health SIG for $20 by emailing
[email protected]
o “Incorporating Adaptive Sports Into Your Clinical Practice” – available online
https://mms.aptaut.org/members/learn/course_list.php
o “Upper & Lower Extremity Update” – available online
https://mms.aptaut.org/members/learn/course_list.php
o Blood Flow Restriction Research – Owens Recovery Science (CLONE) – available online https://mms.aptaut.org/members/learn/course_list.php
· Continuing Education Courses upcoming through UATA
o Summer Education Series, University of Utah campus, June 29, 2023, 8:00am – 3:30pm
▪ https://www.utahathletictrainers.org/conferences
VERMONT - Representative: Mathew Failla
· Nothing to report.
VIRGINIA - Representative: Joey Bikkers
· Expansion of Direct Access:
o Comments from the APTA Virginia President regarding advocacy efforts re: expansion of direct access scope and limits.
o "Our professional autonomy in the Commonwealth of Virginia has just advanced substantially, as I hope most of you are aware. Thank you all for your activism and grassroots efforts to support our Direct Access Bills! Your efforts have enabled us to advance our profession through this legislation.
o This legislation becomes active on July 1, 2023. At that time, we will no longer have a time restriction on caring for a patient under Direct Access. In addition, we will no longer require a prescription/referral to perform Trigger Point Dry Needling. In the meantime, we will work with the Department of Health Professions and the Board of Physical Therapy to ensure a smooth and easy transition to the new regulations."
· Upcoming Q2 and Q3 Continuing Education: Please note, this list is not exhaustive but is an attempt to capture larger scale offerings being held in the state of Virginia or that are available to those in Virginia and may be more relevant to the practice of orthopedic/sports physical therapy.
o Dry Needling: NAIOMT S-910 LQ Dry Needling, Falls Church, VA 6/24/23.
o AAMT DN-2, Richmond, VA 6/9-11/23.
o ICE Dry Needling: Lower Quadrant, Berryville, VA 6/23-24/23.
o ICE Dry Needling: Upper Quadrant, Berryville, VA 9/15-16/23.
o Orthopedics/OMPT:
o We Are Physiotherapy – Spinal Manipulations: The Before, During, and After Leading to Success. ODU Health Sciences Building, Norfolk, VA 9/30-10/1/23.
o Maitland MT-2: Essential Spinal Seminar, Fredericksburg, VA 6/3-4/23.
o Maitland COMT Certification, Suffolk, VA 6/9-11/23.
o ICE Lumbar Spine: Manual Therapy Management, Henrico, VA 9/23-24/23
o Concussion: Concussion Corner Academy’s The Patient Rehabilitation Journey, online/virtual, 6/4/23-9/3/23.
WASHINGTON – Representative: Sam Watkins
· Nothing to report.
WEST VIRGINIA - Representative: Vincent Blankenship
· Nothing to report.
WISCONSIN – Representative: Steven McCoy
· Wisconsin APTA is currently watching one of the state advisory councils discussing the possibility of a Worker’s Compensation Fee schedule.
WYOMING - Representative: Tom Davis
· Nothing to report.