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HB 457

EDUCATION-TECH

104th Regular Session Introduced by Chris Welch

House Bill 457 allows licensed occupational therapists in Georgia to perform dry needling for pain management, requiring specific training and informed patient consent.

Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
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Bill Summary · HB 457

Summary of House Bill 457

Bill Number: HB 457
Title: Occupational therapists; perform dry needling as a physical agent modality if certain training and education requirements are met; authorize
Status: House Second Readers
Introduced: February 13, 2025
Classification: Bill

Purpose and Intent

House Bill 457 aims to amend the Official Code of Georgia Annotated to authorize licensed occupational therapists to perform dry needling as a physical agent modality. This practice is intended to help manage neuromusculoskeletal conditions, pain, and movement impairments, provided that therapists meet specific training and education requirements.

Key Provisions

Definitions

  • Dry Needling: Defined as a skilled technique using a thin needle to penetrate the skin and stimulate underlying tissues. It is explicitly stated that this does not include acupuncture.
  • Physical Agent Modalities: Expanded to include dry needling among other treatment techniques.

Training and Education Requirements

  1. General Requirements for Physical Agent Modalities:

    • Occupational therapists must be licensed and complete a minimum of 90 hours of approved instruction covering various subjects, including:
      • Physics principles related to treatment modalities
      • Physiological changes from modality application
      • Guidelines for treatment and patient education
      • Safety rules and documentation methods

  2. Specific Requirements for Dry Needling:

    • Occupational therapists must:
      • Be certified to use physical agent modalities.
      • Have at least three years of clinical experience, with potential exceptions for those who have completed specific dry needling coursework.
      • Complete coursework in dry needling that covers:
      • Musculoskeletal and neuromuscular systems
      • Pain mechanisms and myofascial trigger point theory
      • Safety and effectiveness of dry needling
    • A minimum of 28 hours of in-person postgraduate instruction is required for upper extremities, and an additional 40 hours for lower extremities.

  3. Informed Consent:

    • Therapists must obtain written informed consent from patients before performing dry needling, detailing the risks, benefits, and the therapist's qualifications.

Regulatory Authority

  • The board will have the authority to promulgate rules and regulations regarding the use of physical agent modalities by licensed occupational therapists.

Impact

Who Would Be Affected

  • Occupational Therapists: Those seeking to incorporate dry needling into their practice will need to meet the outlined educational and training requirements.
  • Patients: Individuals receiving occupational therapy may benefit from the addition of dry needling as a treatment option, provided they are informed of the associated risks and benefits.

Procedural Timeline

  • February 13, 2025: Bill introduced and entered the House Hopper.
  • February 18, 2025: First reading in the House.
  • February 19, 2025: Bill moved to House Second Readers for further consideration.

Conclusion

House Bill 457 represents a significant step in expanding the scope of practice for occupational therapists in Georgia by allowing them to perform dry needling, contingent upon meeting rigorous training and education standards. This legislation aims to enhance treatment options for patients dealing with pain and movement impairments while ensuring safety and efficacy in practice.

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

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