BILL NUMBER: SB 1485	CHAPTERED  07/07/04

	CHAPTER  117
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE  JULY 7, 2004
	APPROVED BY GOVERNOR  JULY 6, 2004
	PASSED THE SENATE  JUNE 24, 2004
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY  JUNE 21, 2004
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  JUNE 8, 2004
	AMENDED IN SENATE  APRIL 21, 2004
	AMENDED IN SENATE  APRIL 1, 2004

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Burton

                        FEBRUARY 19, 2004

   An act to amend Sections 2620 and 2622 of the Business and
Professions Code, relating to physical therapy.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 1485, Burton.  Physical therapy.
   Existing law, the Physical Therapy Practice Act, regulates the
practice of physical therapy by the Physical Therapy Board of
California in the Department of Consumer Affairs, and provides that a
violation of the act is a crime.  Existing law defines "physical
therapy" and "physical therapist" for purposes of the act.
   This bill would revise the definition of "physical therapy" to
include the promotion and maintenance of physical fitness to enhance
the bodily movement related health and wellness of individuals
through the use of physical therapy interventions.  The bill would
also revise the definition of a physical therapist and define a
physical therapist technician for purposes of the act.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:


  SECTION 1.  Section 2620 of the Business and Professions Code is
amended to read:
   2620.  (a) Physical therapy means the art and science of physical
or corrective rehabilitation or of physical or corrective treatment
of any bodily or mental condition of any person by the use of the
physical, chemical, and other properties of heat, light, water,
electricity, sound, massage, and active, passive, and resistive
exercise, and shall include physical therapy evaluation, treatment
planning, instruction and consultative services.  The practice of
physical therapy includes the promotion and maintenance of physical
fitness to enhance the bodily movement related health and wellness of
individuals through the use of physical therapy interventions.  The
use of roentgen rays and radioactive materials, for diagnostic and
therapeutic purposes, and the use of electricity for surgical
purposes, including cauterization, are not authorized under the term
"physical therapy" as used in this chapter, and a license issued
pursuant to this chapter does not authorize the diagnosis of disease.

   (b) Nothing in this section shall be construed to restrict or
prohibit other healing arts practitioners licensed or registered
under this division from practice within the scope of their license
or registration.
  SEC. 2.  Section 2622 of the Business and Professions Code is
amended to read:
   2622.  "Physical  therapist" and "physical therapist technician"
mean a person who is licensed pursuant to this chapter to practice
physical therapy.  For purposes of this chapter, the term "physical
therapy" and "physiotherapy" shall be deemed identical and
interchangeable.
  SEC. 3.  It is the intent of the Legislature that this act apply
only to the practice of physical therapy as engaged in by licensed
physical therapists.