HB 57 – Enact Physical Therapy Licensure Compact
Primary Sponsors: Rep. John Szoka (R – Cumberland), Rep. Grier Martin (D – Wake), Rep. Holly Grange (R – New Hanover)
This act intends to facilitate a physical therapy licensure compact to allow for trailing military spouses who are physical therapists to practice as they move from state to state following new assignments for their military spouse. This would allow trailing spouses to practice in NC by going through an expedited licensure process. There are protections in place through the compact to ensure proper training, good standing and appropriate other requirements to protect patient safety when these physical therapists would be licensed in NC.
This bill is on a fast track to move through the legislative process. If NC is one of the first 10 states to pass this compact, NC would be allowed to be a member of the governing body of this compact moving forward.
House:
A proposed committee substitute was heard in the House Health Committee on February 15, 2017. It received a favorable report, and was re-referred to the House Finance Committee.
A different proposed committee substitute was heard in the House Finance Committee on February 23, 2017.
This bill was heard on the House floor on February 27, 2016. It passed second reading with a vote of 115-0, and will now move to the Senate.
Senate:
This bill was referred to the Senate Rules and Operations Committee on February 28, 2017.
This bill was withdrawn from the Senate Rules and Operations Committee on May 16, 2017, and was referred to the Senate Health Care Committee.
This bill was heard in the Senate Health Committee on May 17, 2017.
Sen. Newton introduced an amendment that would take the text of SB 8 – Ease Occupational Licensing Burdens on Military Families to the bill.
Sen. Lowe motioned to for a favorable report for the bill was amended. The proposed committee substitute received a favorable report.
This proposed committee substitute received a favorable report in the Senate Rules and Operations Committee on May 22, 2017.
This proposed committee substitute was passed in the Senate on May 23, 2017. It was sent back to the House for concurrence.
The proposed committee substitute was heard in the House on May 30, 2017.
This bill passed 108-0 and will now be sent to the Gov. Cooper.