SB371 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Linda Coleman-MadisonSenator

Democrat

Co-Sponsor

Jim McClendon

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

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

Summary

SB371 would expand podiatry in Alabama to diagnose and treat disorders of the foot and ankle.

What This Bill Does

If passed, the bill broadens the practice of podiatry to include treatment of foot and ankle disorders, rather than just the foot. It allows podiatrists to provide medical, surgical, mechanical, manipulative, and electrical treatments on the foot and ankle, including certain amputations of the toes or parts of the foot and ankle, but not the leg or any surgery above the ankle. It also requires podiatrists who surgically treat bone-related ankle issues to complete at least 24 months of approved post-graduate residency training. The bill defines key terms like foot and ankle to clarify the scope and sets an effective date for when the changes take effect.

Who It Affects

• Podiatric physicians licensed to practice in Alabama, who would gain an expanded scope of practice including the foot and ankle and potentially greater surgical authority (with residency requirements for certain ankle bone surgeries).
• Patients in Alabama with foot or ankle disorders, who would have access to podiatric diagnosis and treatment (including certain surgical options) within the podiatry scope, while leg-wide surgeries remain outside this scope.

Key Provisions

• Expands the definition of podiatry to include the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the foot and ankle.
• Authorizes medical, surgical, mechanical, manipulative, and electrical treatments of foot and ankle disorders by podiatrists.
• Permits applicable amputations of toes and other parts of the foot and ankle, but not amputation of the leg or surgery above the ankle joint; local anesthesia only.
• Requires podiatric physicians who surgically treat osseous (bone) ankle ailments to complete at least 24 months of post-graduate residency training approved by the Council on Podiatric Medical Education.
• Provides detailed definitions for terms like foot, ankle, diagnosis, and surgical treatment to clarify scope of practice.
• Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Podiatry