SB8 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Greg AlbrittonSenator

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

SB8 would expand Alabama podiatrists' scope to treat foot and ankle disorders, with new definitions and training requirements for certain ankle surgeries.

What This Bill Does

It broadens the definition of podiatry to include diagnosing and treating disorders of both the foot and the ankle, and allows a range of treatments (medical, surgical, mechanical, manipulative, or electrical) plus drug prescriptions related to this scope. It sets limits on what podiatrists can do, including that toe or partial foot/ankle amputations are allowed but leg amputations are not, and that surgeries must be below the ankle with anesthesia limited to local. It requires podiatrists to complete at least 36 months of post-graduate residency training approved by the specified credentialing body to surgically treat bone-related ankle problems. It also specifies when the act would take effect after passage.

Who It Affects

• Licensed podiatric physicians in Alabama—gain expanded authority to diagnose and treat foot and ankle disorders and perform certain procedures, subject to the residency requirement for osseous ankle surgery and anesthesia limitations.
• Patients with foot or ankle disorders—could receive broader podiatric care from more specialists, including certain surgical and drug treatments, under defined limits.
• Podiatry education and credentialing bodies (e.g., the Council on Podiatric Medical Education and the APMA)—must establish and enforce the 36-month residency requirement for surgeons treating ankle bone conditions.

Key Provisions

• Expands podiatry scope to include treatment of disorders of the foot and ankle.
• Defines foot and ankle and allows diagnosis and medical, surgical, mechanical, manipulative, and electrical treatments of foot/ankle ailments; permits prescribing related drugs.
• Authorizes toe and partial foot/ankle amputations but prohibits leg amputations or surgery above the ankle joint; anesthesia limited to local.
• Requires at least 36 months of post-graduate residency training approved by the Council on Podiatric Medical Education for surgically treating osseous ankle ailments.
• Effective date: the bill becomes law 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, scope of practice revised.