4/6/2022 11:55 am Date / Time filed with the Register of Regulations | VA.R. Document Number: R____-______ |
Virginia Register Publication Information
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Transmittal Sheet: Response to Petition for Rulemaking
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Initial Agency Notice
Agency Decision
Promulgating Board: | Board of Physical Therapy |
Regulatory Coordinator: | Erin Barrett (804)367-4688 erin.barrett@dhp.virginia.gov |
Agency Contact: | Corie Tillman Wolf Executive Director (804)367-4674 ptboard@dhp.virginia.gov |
Contact Address: | Department of Health Professions 9960 Mayland Drive Suite 300 Richmond, VA 23233 |
Chapter Affected: | |
18 vac 112 - 20: | Regulations Governing the Practice of Physical Therapy |
Statutory Authority: |
State: Sections 54.1-2400 and 54.1-3473 through 54.1-3483 Federal: |
Date Petition Received | 04/06/2022 |
Petitioner | Michael Schultz |
The petitioner requests that the Board amend its regulations to: (1) prohibit physical
therapists and physical therapy assistants from refusing to provide physical therapy
to patients or prospective patients if those individuals or their accompanying representatives
refuse to wear masks; (2) prohibit physical therapists and physical therapy assistants
from enforcing any requirements for patients, prospective patients, or patient representatives
to wear masks to receive physical therapy, including when following policies of insurers
or organizations or when following guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control,
local health departments, or the Virginia Department of Health; (3) prohibit physical
therapists and physical therapy assistants from refusing to provide physical therapy
to any patient or prospective patient based on the vaccination status of the patient
or patient representative for any COVID-19 vaccine or for any other vaccine under
Emergency Use Authorization status or full approval status by the Food and Drug Administration;
(4) prohibit physical therapists and physical therapy assistants from refusing to
provide physical therapy to any patient or prospective patient who refuses to disclose
whether they have received any vaccine, including any COVID-19 vaccine; and (5) institute
a specific complaint and disciplinary procedure under the regulations of the Board
of Physical Therapy for any conduct prohibited by numbers (1) ‐ (4), above.
Agency Plan
The petition for rulemaking will be published in the Virginia Register of Regulations
on April 25, 2022. The petition will also be published on the Virginia Regulatory
Town Hall at www.townhall.virginia.gov to receive public comment, which will open
on April 25, 2022 and will close on May 25, 2022. The Board will consider the petition
and all comments in support or opposition at the next meeting after the close of public
comment, August 9, 2022. The petitioner will be notified of the Board's decision after
that meeting.
Publication Date | 04/25/2022 (comment period will also begin on this date) |
Comment End Date | 05/25/2022 |