SB0837 Summary

• Amends the Regulatory Sunset Act to remove the Illinois Physical Therapy Act from the January 1, 2016 repeal date and instead schedules it for repeal on January 1, 2026.

• Increases minimum age requirement for physical therapist licensure from 18 to 21 years old.

• Allows physical therapists to apply topical medications either when prescribed by authorized healthcare providers or following written physician instructions.

• Expands referral authority to include other physical therapists and health care providers in addition to physicians, dentists, advanced practice nurses, physician assistants, and podiatric physicians.

• Adds new provisions establishing civil penalties up to $10,000 for unlicensed physical therapy practice, confidentiality protections for complaint investigations, and license suspension for failure to pay court-ordered restitution.