AL SB279

Expands the scope of podiatric practice in Alabama to include diagnosis and treatment of disorders of both the foot and ankle, rather than foot alone.

Adds a new definition of "foot and ankle" specifying anatomical boundaries: the foot includes 28 bones below the ankle joint, and the ankle includes the ankle joint and surrounding soft tissue structures.

Requires podiatric physicians who surgically treat bone ailments of the ankle to have completed at least 24 months of post-graduate surgical residency training approved by the Council on Podiatric Medical Education of the American Podiatric Medical Association.

Permits podiatric physicians to prescribe drugs specifically related to their scope of practice and to perform amputation of toes and other foot and ankle parts, but prohibits amputation of the leg or administration of non-local anesthetics.

Becomes effective on the first day of the third month following passage and approval by the Governor.