SB28 Alabama 2023 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Tim MelsonSenator
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2023
Title: Relating to podiatry; to amend Section 34-24-230, Code of Alabama 1975; to expand the scope of the practice of podiatry to include treatment of disorders of the foot and ankle.
Summary: SB28 expands the scope of podiatry in Alabama to include treatment of disorders of the foot and ankle.
What This Bill Does
It broadens podiatry to cover diagnoses and treatment of foot and ankle disorders using medical, surgical, mechanical, manipulative, or electrical methods, and allows related drug prescriptions. It imposes a 36-month post-graduate residency training requirement for performing ankle bone surgeries. It sets limits on certain procedures (amputation levels and anesthesia) and defines key terms like foot and ankle. It becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and the Governor signs it.

Who It Affects
Podiatrists in Alabama, whose scope of practice is expanded and who must meet the residency training requirement for ankle surgeries and may prescribe drugs related to podiatry.
Patients in Alabama seeking foot and ankle care, who may have greater access to podiatric treatment for foot and ankle disorders.

Key Provisions
Expands the scope of podiatry to include treatment of disorders of the foot and ankle.
Podiatrists may diagnose and treat foot/ankle conditions using medical, surgical, mechanical, manipulative, or electrical methods and may prescribe drugs related to this scope.
A podiatrist may not surgically treat osseous ankle ailments unless they have completed at least 36 months of post-graduate residency training approved by the Council on Podiatric Medical Educations of the American Podiatric Medical Association.
The practice of podiatry may include amputation of toes and other parts of the foot and ankle, but not above the Chopart joint or total ankle arthroplasty; anesthesia is limited to local.
Definitions related to ankle, foot, and related anatomy are provided to clarify scope.
The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month following its passage and the Governor's approval.

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, scope of project revised