BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2357

By: King, Susan

Public Health

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Current law protects certain professional titles and letter designations used to identify physical therapists by prohibiting a person from using the terms and designations in connection with the person's name or business without an appropriate license. This not only upholds the professional integrity of the title or designation, it helps to ensure that clients and members of the public are not confused by professions using the same terms. Although a great deal of education and training goes into a doctor of physical therapy degree or a master of physical therapy degree, the designations "DPT" and "MPT" are not protected under current law.  H.B. 2357 seeks to protect these designations.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 2357 amends the Occupations Code to include the letters "DPT" and "MPT" among the designations a person, including the person's employee or other agent or representative, is prohibited from using in connection with the person's name or business activity unless the person is a licensed physical therapist.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2013.