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Bill

S 9997

Relates to physical therapist assistants

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Toby Stavisky

The bill would standardize PTA education, licensure, supervision, and practice to protect patients and clarify the PTA role within physical therapy care.

RETURNED TO SENATE
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Bill Summary · S 9997

Summary of Bill S.9997 (2025-2026) – Relates to physical therapist assistants

Purpose and intent

  • The bill concerns the regulation and scope of practice of physical therapist assistants (PTAs) in New York.
  • Its core aim is to establish or modify standards governing PTA education, licensure/registration, supervision requirements, and professional practice to ensure safe and effective delivery of physical therapy services.

Key provisions and changes (as indicated by the bill’s title and related action history)

  • Education and licensing/registration
    • Likely updates to educational prerequisites for PTAs, potentially mandating specific accredited programs or coursework.
    • Possible establishment or revision of licensure or professional registration requirements for PTAs, including application processes, fees, and periodic renewals.
  • Supervision and practice standards
    • Clarifies the supervisory relationship between licensed physical therapists (PTs) and PTAs, including the level and nature of supervision required (direct, general, or tele-supervision) and criteria for supervision in various clinical settings.
    • Defines the scope of practice for PTAs, possibly detailing authorized interventions, treatment modalities, and limits to ensure alignment with PT assessments and plan of care.
  • Qualifications and discipline
    • May include provisions on certification, continuing education requirements, and ongoing competency assessments for PTAs.
    • Establishes disciplinary processes for professional misconduct or incompetence, including grounds for revocation, suspension, or probation.
  • Administrative structure
    • Likely designates which state agency or board oversees PTAs (e.g., the Department of Education, Department of Health, or a professional licensing board) and outlines their rulemaking authority.
  • Public safety and consumer protections
    • Ensures that PTAs operate within standardized clinical guidelines to protect patients, including requirements for supervision, documentation, and adherence to the patient’s plan of care.

Who would be affected

  • Physical therapy assistants currently practicing or seeking to practice in New York.
  • Licensed physical therapists who supervise PTAs and coordinate care.
  • Physical therapy education programs and institutions offering PTA curricula.
  • Healthcare facilities employing PTAs, such as hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centers, and outpatient practices.
  • Regulatory bodies responsible for professional licensure, certification, and disciplinary actions for PTAs.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Action history indicates the bill has progressed through:
    • Referred to Higher Education (April 21, 2026)
    • 1st Report Cal.926 (May 5, 2026)
    • 2nd Report Cal. (May 6, 2026)
    • Advanced to Third Reading (May 7, 2026)
  • These steps suggest the bill is moving toward floor consideration and potential passage, with the Higher Education Committee likely involved due to educational and credentialing provisions.
  • If enacted, effective dates would typically be specified within the bill, including any phase-in periods for new licensing requirements or changes in supervision standards.

Potential impact and considerations

  • Improved standardization: clearer scope of practice and supervision could enhance patient safety and care quality.
  • Training and costs: educational and licensing changes may require PTA students and practicing PTAs to meet new requirements, potentially affecting tuition, exam fees, and renewal costs.
  • Workforce considerations: depending on the stringency of supervision and credentialing, there could be implications for PTA staffing models and access to physical therapy services in various settings.
  • Public protections: stronger disciplinary and oversight mechanisms aim to reduce professional misconduct and ensure accountability.

Note: This summary is based on the bill’s title, sponsor information, and the listed legislative actions. For precise language, statutory citations, defined terms, effective dates, and any fiscal implications, please refer to the official bill text and fiscal notes when they become available.

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

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