HB198 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Ron Johnson

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

Podiatry, scope of practice expanded to include foot and ankle, Sec. 34-24-230 am'd.

Summary

This bill expands Alabama podiatry to treat foot and ankle disorders, adds surgical and prescribing authority, and requires a 24‑month residency for ankle surgery.

What This Bill Does

It expands the scope of podiatry to cover disorders of both the foot and ankle. Podiatrists would diagnose and treat foot/ankle problems and could perform medical, surgical, mechanical, manipulative, or electrical treatments, and prescribe drugs relevant to this scope. The bill allows amputation of toes and other parts of the foot or ankle but does not let a podiatrist amputate the entire leg or perform surgery above the ankle or administer non-local anesthesia. Any podiatrist who surgically treats the ankle must complete a 24-month surgical residency approved by the Council on Podiatric Medical Education of the American Podiatric Medical Association, and the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage.

Who It Affects

• Podiatric physicians in Alabama: gain expanded authority to diagnose and treat foot and ankle disorders, with broader surgical and prescribing capabilities within defined limits.
• Patients with foot or ankle disorders: could receive broader podiatric care and surgical options, including toe/foot/ankle procedures under the bill's limits and local anesthesia.

Key Provisions

• Expands scope of practice from foot-only to include treatment of foot and ankle disorders.
• Provides detailed definitions for foot and ankle anatomy and related terms within the podiatry scope.
• Allows diagnosis, medical/surgical/mechanical/manipulative/electrical treatments, and drug prescribing related to foot/ankle care.
• Authorizes amputation of toes and other parts of the foot/ankle, but prohibits leg-wide amputation or surgery above the ankle and restricts anesthesia to local anesthesia.
• Requires a podiatrist who surgically treats the ankle to complete a 24-month surgical residency approved by the CPME of the APMA.
• Effective date: the act takes effect on the first day of the third month after passage.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Podiatry