89R15491 GP-F     By: Money H.B. No. 4727       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the authority of a physical therapist to treat a patient   without a referral.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 453.301(a), Occupations Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (a)  A physical therapist may treat a patient for an injury   or condition in a manner described by Section 453.005 without a   referral [if the physical therapist:                [(1)  has been licensed to practice physical therapy   for at least one year;                [(2)  is covered by professional liability insurance in   the minimum amount required by board rule; and                [(3)  either:                      [(A)  possesses a doctoral degree in physical   therapy from:                            [(i)  a program that is accredited by the   Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education; or                            [(ii)  an institution that is accredited by   an agency or association recognized by the United States secretary   of education; or                      [(B)  has completed at least 30 hours of   continuing competence activities in the area of differential   diagnosis].          SECTION 2.  The heading to Section 453.302, Occupations   Code, is amended to read as follows:          Sec. 453.302.  PROVISION OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE [TREATING   PATIENT WITHOUT REFERRAL].          SECTION 3.  Section 453.302(b), Occupations Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (b)  In an emergency circumstance, including a minor   emergency, a physical therapist may provide emergency medical care   to a person to the best of the therapist's ability [without a   referral from a referring practitioner].          SECTION 4.  The following provisions of the Occupations Code   are repealed:                (1)  Section 453.001(9);                (2)  Sections 453.301(a-1), (a-2), and (b); and                (3)  Section 453.302(c).          SECTION 5.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.