MN HF2689

Expands the definition of physical therapy to explicitly include diagnosis (other than medical diagnosis), treatment planning, prevention, wellness, fitness, health promotion, and education across all age populations

Modifies supervision requirements for physical therapist assistants by allowing supervising physical therapists to be off-site but "easily available by telecommunications" rather than requiring on-site presence, and changes terminology from "delegation" to "direction" of duties

Removes the 90-day limit on physical therapy treatment without a physician referral from disciplinary grounds, effectively allowing physical therapists to provide ongoing direct access treatment

Eliminates the one-year collaboration requirement for newly licensed physical therapists treating patients without referral, and removes requirements to consult with referring providers when altering treatment plans

Establishes violations of prohibited conduct provisions as gross misdemeanors and authorizes civil penalties up to $10,000 per violation, while repealing the separate statutory definition of "licensed health care professional" and the standalone violations section