ATLANTA — State Representative Jesse Petrea (R-Savannah) today commented on the bill signing of House Bill 505 by Governor Deal. HB 505 was signed into law Tuesday, May 5, 2015 at a bill signing ceremony at the State Capitol, and changes the definition of a physical therapist and the regulations related to the licensure and regulation of physical therapists in Georgia.
“I was honored to have participated in the recent bill signing for HB 505, bringing Georgia’s physical therapy legislation in line with that of many other states across the country,” said Rep. Petrea. “I would like to thank Chairwoman Cooper for leading the charge and sponsoring this effort and Governor Deal for making this Georgia law with his signature this week. This bill is an example of common sense legislation that will make the lives of Georgians easier by removing the requirement of a physician’s referral in order to see a physical therapist.”
HB 505 will now allow patients to self-refer themselves when seeing a physical therapist and not require patients to first receive a referral from a physician. Additionally, under HB 505, the State Board of Physical Therapy has the power to refuse to grant or restore a physical therapist’s license or to discipline a physical therapist if he or she: identifies himself or herself as a doctor without also informing the public of his or her credentials as a physical therapist; performs physical therapy without first examining and evaluating the patient; or acts in a manner inconsistent with the standard of the practice of physical therapy. HB 505 also revises the definition of physical therapy.
For more information on HB 505, please click here.
Representative Jesse Petrea represents the citizens of District 166, which includes portions of Bryan and Chatham counties. He was elected into the House of Representatives in 2014, and currently serves on the Health and Human Services, Human Relations and Aging, and Public Safety and Homeland Security committees.
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