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92nd General Assembly

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Public Act 92-0350

HB0572 Enrolled                                LRB9204161LBks

    AN ACT concerning the regulation of professions.

    Be it enacted by the People of  the  State  of  Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:

    Section  5.  The Illinois Physical Therapy Act is amended
by adding Sections 0.05 and 14.1 as follows:

    (225 ILCS 90/0.05 new)
    Sec. 0.05.  Legislative Intent.  This Act is enacted  for
the  purpose  of  protecting  the  public health, safety, and
welfare, and for providing for State administrative  control,
supervision,  licensure,  and  regulation  of the practice of
physical therapy.  It is the legislature's intent  that  only
individuals  who  meet  and  maintain prescribed standards of
competence and conduct may engage in the practice of physical
therapy as  authorized  by  this  Act.   This  Act  shall  be
liberally  construed  to  promote  the public interest and to
accomplish the purpose stated  herein.   This  Act  does  not
prohibit  a person licensed under any other Act in this State
from engaging in the practice for which he or she is licensed
or from delegating services as provided for under that  other
Act.

    (225 ILCS 90/14.1 new)
    Sec.  14.1.  Continuing  education  renewal requirements.
The Department shall promulgate rules  concerning  continuing
education for persons licensed under this Act that require 40
hours of continuing education per license renewal cycle for a
physical  therapist  and 20 hours of continuing education per
license renewal cycle for a physical therapist assistant.  In
establishing  these  rules,  the  Department  shall  consider
education required for  the  2  categories  of  licensees  to
maintain   current   knowledge  and  understanding  of  their
respective  scope  of  practice,  professional  ethics,   and
standards  of care, as described in this Act, and in material
provided  by   relevant   professional   associations.    The
Department  shall  also consider the educational requirements
for board certification in physical therapy specialty  areas,
requirements   for  advanced  clinical  or  academic  degrees
related  to  physical  therapy,  requirements  for  attaining
advanced skills specific to particular practice  environments
and patient populations, and the educational needs related to
special  interest groups within the professions.  These rules
shall assure that licensees  are  given  the  opportunity  to
participate  in  those programs sponsored by or through their
professional associations, hospitals, or employers and  which
are  relevant  to  their  practice.   These  rules shall also
address variances for illness or hardship.  Each licensee  is
responsible   for   maintaining   records  of  completion  of
continuing education and shall be  prepared  to  produce  the
records when requested by the Department.

    Section  99.  Effective date.  This Act takes effect upon
becoming law.
    Passed in the General Assembly May 23, 2001.
    Approved August 15, 2001.

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