No. CS/HB 867
Filed under Healthcare.
Dry Needling by Occupational Therapists ; Defines "dry needling" & "myofascial trigger point"; requires Board of Occupational Therapy Association to establish minimum standards of practice for performance of dry needling by occupational therapists; provides performance requirements; requires board to establish additional supervision & training requirements; requires DOH to submit specified report to Legislature by specified date.
Plain English Summary
AI-GENERATEDOccupational therapists may perform dry needling once they meet minimum standards the board must set: at least two years of licensed practice, 50 hours of specific continuing education, and at least 25 supervised or out-of-state patient sessions.
Dry needling may not be performed without patient consent, must be part of the patient's documented plan of care, and may not be delegated to anyone other than an authorized occupational therapist.
The board may impose additional supervision and training requirements before therapists needle the head, neck, or torso, and the Department of Health must report statewide dry-needling activity and adverse incidents to the Legislature by December 31, 2028.
AICreates s. 468.227, requiring the licensing board to establish minimum standards of practice before an occupational therapist may perform dry needling, including at least two years of licensed practice.
AIRequires 50 hours of face-to-face continuing education on dry needling, covering theory, equipment safety, indications and contraindications, psychomotor skills, and postintervention care, plus at least 25 supervised or out-of-state patient sessions.
AIDry needling may not be performed without the patient's consent, must be documented as part of the patient's plan of care, and cannot be delegated to anyone other than an authorized occupational therapist.
AIGives the board discretion to impose additional supervision and training requirements before an occupational therapist may needle the head, neck, or torso, if it decides this is necessary for patient safety.
AIRequires the Department of Health to report to the Senate President and House Speaker on the number of occupational therapists performing dry needling, geographic trends, and adverse incidents.