New PT Practice Act Enacted in West Virginia

On April 1, 2010, West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin signed HB 4140 into law, legislation updating the West Virginia PT Practice Act. HB 4140 enacts a new definition for the scope of "physical therapy" based on the Model Practice Act, provides title protection for the DPT, improves term protection for "physical therapy" and "physiotherapy," includes language for fitness, health & wellness services, adds new language to allow for telehealth, and makes numerous technical corrections. The chapter spent most of 2009 preparing for the legislation, hosting several chapter town hall meetings to gain input from their members. More than 300 e-mails and letters were sent from chapter members to legislators in support of HB 4140. The APTA Board of Directors assisted the chapter with a $5,000 grant that was approved in January. The new law goes into effect on July 13, 2010.

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