AL HB17

Adds Section 34-24-193.1 to the Code of Alabama 1975 to clarify the Alabama State Board of Physical Therapy's rulemaking authority regarding state and federal anti-trust laws.

Establishes legislative findings that patient safety and wellness are primary goals of health care, and the Board is best positioned to determine physical therapy practices that prioritize these goals.

Authorizes the Board to adopt rules defining and regulating physical therapy practice that prioritize patient safety and wellness, even if anti-competitive, when the effect on public safety and wellness is clearly demonstrated and documented.

Immunizes the Board of Physical Therapy and its members from liability under state and federal anti-trust laws for adopting rules that prioritize patient safety and wellness but may restrict competition.

Specifies that rules may only supplement or clarify statutory definitions and cannot conflict with existing statutes defining physical therapy practice; limits scope to anti-trust immunity issues and does not expand rights beyond the N.C. State Board of Dental Examiners v. FTC decision.