July 22, 2005

 

The Honorable Karen Minnis

900 Court St. NE Room 269

Salem, OR 97301

 

Dear Speaker Minnis,

 

     I have signed Enrolled House Bill 3260. HB 3260 amends the Oregon Physical Therapy Practice Act by updating language relating to the practice of physical therapy and to the Oregon Physical Therapist Licensing Board’s regulation of the practice.

 

     After HB 3260 passed out of both chambers, the Oregon Board of Chiropractic Examiners brought to my office’s attention a concern regarding the bill. Specifically, in redefining the term "physical therapy," Section 3 of HB 3260 deletes a provision of existing law that prohibits physical therapists from performing chiropractic spinal manipulation. The Board of Chiropractic Examiners is concerned that this amendment could be interpreted to expand the scope of practice for physical therapists in way that was not contemplated or intended by the Legislature and without consideration of the minimum qualifications to perform those procedures.

 

     Following discussion among the Boards and the Association regarding this concern, my office received letters from the Oregon Physical Therapist Licensing Board and the Oregon Physical Therapy Association (proponents of HB 3260). Those letters clarify that HB 3260 was not intended to broaden the scope of practice for physical therapists to include chiropractic spinal manipulation, and I do not believe that the bill does so. With those assurances and that understanding, I have signed HB 3260.