HB372 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jack Williams

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Podiatry, practice of, further defined, Sec. 34-24-230 am'd.

Summary

HB372 would broaden the scope of podiatry in Alabama to include broader examination, diagnosis, and treatment of foot and ankle conditions, including surgical and other procedures, while limiting amputations and non-local anesthetics.

What This Bill Does

The bill expands the official definition of the practice of podiatry to include examining, diagnosing, and treating foot and ankle disorders using medical, mechanical, manipulation, surgical, and electrical treatments for soft tissue and bone structures up to the distal half of the tibia and fibula. It clarifies that podiatrists may not amputate the foot, may not perform surgery above the ankle, and may not administer anesthetics other than local. It also provides detailed definitions for key terms and sets a date when these changes take effect.

Who It Affects

• Podiatric physicians in Alabama, whose scope of practice would be expanded to diagnose and treat foot/ankle conditions using a wider range of techniques up to the distal tibia and fibula.
• Patients with foot or ankle problems, who would have access to expanded treatment options from podiatrists within the new scope.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 34-24-230 to expand the scope of the practice of podiatry to include examination, diagnosis, and treatment of disorders of the foot and ankle, including soft tissue and osseous structures up to the distal half of the tibia and fibula.
• authorizes podiatric physicians to provide medical, surgical, mechanical, manipulative, and electrical treatments for foot/ankle ailments, with specific exclusions such as no foot amputation, no surgery above the ankle, and no administration of anesthetics other than local.
• Provides definitions for key terms: podiatry, practice of podiatry, diagnosis, medical treatment, surgical treatment, mechanical treatment, manipulative treatment, electrical treatment, and human foot or ankle.
• States the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month following its passage and approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Podiatry, State Board of