HB 309 Summary

• Enacts the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact, allowing Mississippi to enter into an interstate agreement with other member states to facilitate physical therapy practice across state lines through mutual recognition of licenses.

• Establishes a "compact privilege" that allows licensed physical therapists and physical therapist assistants from other member states to practice in Mississippi without obtaining a separate license, provided they meet specific requirements including no encumbered licenses and no adverse actions within two years.

• Creates the Physical Therapy Compact Commission as a national administrative body composed of one delegate from each member state's physical therapy licensing board, with powers to promulgate rules, maintain a data system for licensure information, and oversee compliance.

• Requires Mississippi's State Board of Physical Therapy to participate in the Commission's data system, conduct criminal background checks on applicants, enforce compact provisions, and report adverse actions and disciplinary information to other member states.

• Amends Mississippi Code sections 73-23-33, 73-23-35, 73-23-39, 73-23-43, 73-23-47, 73-23-59, and 73-23-64 to incorporate references to the compact privilege and align state law with the compact's requirements; effective July 1, 2017.