Legislative Update: August 2024
Direct Access
HB 1491 was introduced by Representative Pat Gallagher and a group of initial co-sponsors. The objective of this legislation is to modernize Direct Access for Physical Therapists in Pennsylvania.
SB 1042 was also introduced by Senator Rosemary Brown to run concurrently. These legislative actions propose amending the Pennsylvania Physical Therapy Act (Act 38 of 2008) to allow increased access to physical therapy.
HB 1491 was referred to the PA House Licensure Committee, and SB 1042 was referred to the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee.
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Proposed Changes to Direct Access
This modernization of the Pennsylvania Physical Therapist Practice Act would accomplish the following:
| Increase the time period a physical therapist can manage an individual without a referral from the current 30 days to 60 days from the first date of treatment. |
| Remove the current two-year requirement of clinical practice before applying for a certificate of authorization to practice by direct access. |
| Remove the requirement for the certificate of authorization. |
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Member Advocacy Action Steps
APTA Pennsylvania is asking members to take the following actions:
1. Review the Information
Review the information included on this page, including the talking points.
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2. Thank Legislative Supporters
If Senator Rosemary Brown, Representative Pat Gallagher, or one of the legislators listed below is your elected official, please reach out to thank them for their support.
Senate Co-Sponsors
Brown, Culver, Hutchison, Costa, Schwank, Argall
House Co-Sponsors
Gallagher, Rabb, Guenst, Sanchez, Khan, Hill-Evans, Borcenski, Honenstein, Cerrato, Cirest, Kazeem, Green
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3. Contact Senate Committee Members
If a member of the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee is your Senator and is not already a co-sponsor, please contact them to request their co-sponsorship and support for referring SB 1042 to the full Senate.
Committee Members
Patrick Stefano (R Majority Chair), Lisa Boscola (D Minority Chair), Farry, Gebhard, Ward, Pennycuick, Aument, Regan, Robinson, Collett, Dillion, Flynn, Santarsiero
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4. Contact House Committee Members
If a member of the House Professional Licensure Committee is your Representative and is not already a co-sponsor, please contact them to request their co-sponsorship and support for referring HB 1491 to the full House.
Committee Members
Frank Burns (D Majority Chair), Carl Metzgar (R Minority Chair), Kosterowski, Guenst, Mullins, Williams, Markosek, Guzman, Munroe, Burgos, Malagari, Steele, Gallagher, Merski, Venkat, Ecker, Kuzma, Scheuren, Marcell, Lawrence, Tomlinson, Gaydos, Mako, Klunk, Mehaffle
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5. Educate Your Legislators
Contact your State Senator and Representative's office, preferably by phone or in person, to educate them on the value of the physical therapy profession and the need for early management of movement issues.
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6. Report Your Outreach
Please notify APTA Pennsylvania when you contact your legislator. This helps the Executive Committee, legal team, and content specialist identify who may need follow-up.
Email [email protected] with the date you contacted your legislator, their response (if applicable), and any follow-up items.
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Find Your Pennsylvania Legislators
Use the Pennsylvania General Assembly's legislator lookup tool. Enter your address to find your State Senator and Representative.
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