BILL ANALYSIS Ó Senate Appropriations Committee Fiscal Summary Senator Kevin de León, Chair SB 198 (Price) - Physical Therapy Board of California. Amended: May 6, 2013 Policy Vote: B&P 10-0 Urgency: No Mandate: Yes Hearing Date: May 20, 2013 Consultant: Brendan McCarthy This bill does not meet the criteria for referral to the Suspense File. Bill Summary: SB 198 would reorganize, revise, and recast the Physical Therapy Practice Act. Fiscal Impact: Annual costs of $90,000 for two years to revise existing regulations by the Physical Therapy Board (Physical Therapy Fund). Background: Under the Physical Therapy Practice Act, the Physical Therapy Board of California is authorized to license and regulate physical therapists and physical therapist assistants. The Physical Therapy Practice Act lays out the educational requirements and professional responsibilities of physical therapists and physical therapist assistants. Proposed Law: SB 198 would reorganize, revise, and recast the Physical Therapy Practice Act. The bill would not make significant changes to the Physical Therapy Board's responsibilities or the professional responsibilities of physical therapists and physical therapist assistants. Related Legislation: SB 306 (Price) would extend the statutory sunset of the Physical Therapy Board of California. That bill is on this committee's Suspense File. Staff Comments: Under current law, the Physical Therapy Fund is continuously appropriated for the purposes of carrying out the Physical Therapy Practice Act. This fund is supported by license fees paid by Physical Therapists. Because the bill amends the section of law continuously appropriating the Physical Therapy Fund, this bill makes an appropriation. > (>) Page 1 The only costs that may be incurred by a local agency relate to crimes and infractions. Under the California Constitution, such costs are not reimbursable by the state.