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SD 2066

An Act enhancing the podiatric profession's registration and oversight

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Paul Feeney

Creates a Massachusetts Podiatry Board within the Board of Registration in Medicine to regulate podiatrists with physician-style oversight, public records, and joint rulemaking.

House concurred
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Bill Summary · SD 2066

Summary: Senate Bill 2066 — An Act enhancing the podiatric profession's registration and oversight

Status: House concurred; Referred to Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure (2025)

Introduction: Filed January 17, 2025 by Sen. Paul R. Feeney for legislation aimed at strengthening the registration, governance, and regulatory oversight of podiatry in Massachusetts. Similar measures were previously filed in the 2023-2024 session (Senate No. 164).

Purpose and intent

  • To create a dedicated regulatory board for podiatry within the existing Board of Registration in Medicine and to align podiatry oversight with the standards and processes used for physicians.
  • To enhance transparency, professional discipline, and public protection by establishing clearer governance, reporting, and regulatory parity between podiatrists and physicians.

Key provisions

Creation and structure (Section 12A)

  • Establish a Podiatry Board within the Board of Registration in Medicine.
  • Composition (five members, appointed by the Governor):
    • Three podiatry practitioners with at least seven years of practice in Massachusetts.
    • One registered physician with at least seven years of practice in Massachusetts.
    • One public representative.
  • Conflict of interest restrictions: no member shall be connected with a podiatry school or financially involved in podiatry manufacturing/wholesale/retail.
  • Terms: five-year terms; successors appointed by the Governor.

Governance and operations (Section 12B, 12C)

  • Annual meeting in October; board to elect a chairman and secretary for one-year terms.
  • At least six additional meetings; quorum of three members.
  • Compensation: members serve without pay but may be reimbursed for reasonable expenses.

Regulatory review and oversight (Section 12D)

  • The Board of Registration in Medicine, in consultation with the Commissioner of Public Health, may review and approve rules proposed by the Podiatry Board.
  • Such podiatry rules are deemed approved unless disapproved within 90 days, with written justification required if disapproved.

Records, reporting, and enforcement (Chapter 112 amendments) (Sections 17A, 17B, and 17C)

  • 17A: The podiatry board must maintain full proceedings records and a public registry of all registered podiatrists; annual reporting on the state of podiatry in the Commonwealth; investigation of violations and referral to prosecutors as appropriate.
  • 17B: (Implied continuation of earlier provisions regarding proceedings and enforcement; retained as part of the chapter’s structure.)
  • 17C: The board must jointly promulgate regulations with the Board of Registration in Medicine, in consultation with the Commissioner of Public Health, to ensure podiatrists face regulatory requirements commensurate with physicians. This includes:
    • Creation/public dissemination of individual licensure profiles.
    • Discipline, malpractice reporting, and related disciplinary actions.
    • Communication with professional organizations.
    • Requirements related to physical and mental examinations, complaint investigations, and other aspects of professional conduct and discipline.

Who would be affected

  • Podiatrists practicing in Massachusetts (subject to new board governance, reporting, and disciplinary processes).
  • Physicians serving on or interacting with the podiatry board and the physician-board oversight framework.
  • The public (patients) through increased transparency, public registration records, and parity in disciplinary and professional conduct standards.
  • Regulatory bodies within the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine and the Department of Public Health (through joint rulemaking and oversight).

Procedural timeline and status

  • Introduced: February 27, 2025 (Senate Docket No. 2066; Senate No. 230).
  • Referred on 2025-02-27 to the committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.
  • Status: House concurred (as of the provided update), indicating legislative alignment between chambers.

Practical impact

  • Establishes a standalone podiatry board with defined qualifications, meetings, and expense rules.
  • Creates a mechanism for greater regulatory parity with physicians, including public profiles and joint rulemaking.
  • Enhances accountability through mandatory reporting, public records, and coordinated disciplinary processes.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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