Concerning authorizing physical therapists to perform preparticipation physical examinations for school activities.
Summary
HB26-1231 would require a statewide high school activities association to allow a licensed physical therapist to perform the preparticipation physical examination and provide the written clearance needed for a student to participate in a supervised team athletic activity, if the association requires such a clearance at all. The bill is framed as a school athletics access measure and includes a legislative declaration stating that physical therapists are trained health-care professionals capable of evaluating physical readiness, identifying injury or illness risks, and making participation determinations within their scope of practice.
The bill amends Colorado law governing extracurricular and interscholastic activities by adding a new subsection to section 22-32-116.5, C.R.S. Its practical effect would be to expand the list of professionals who may sign off on student sports physicals for school activities, alongside other providers already recognized by the Colorado High School Activities Association. The bill would take effect after the standard referendum period, unless referred to voters.
The general sentiment reflected in the bill text is supportive of expanding access to care and reducing barriers for students and families. The legislative declaration emphasizes that allowing physical therapists to perform these exams would improve timeliness and access without compromising student safety, suggesting the bill is intended as a pragmatic, pro-access change rather than a major policy shift.
The main point of contention is likely whether physical therapists should be treated as appropriate providers for sports clearance, since the bill changes who may perform a required medical screening for school athletics. Supporters would view this as an access and workforce-flexibility measure, while any opposition would likely focus on scope-of-practice concerns, the adequacy of physical therapists for broader medical screening, or whether the existing list of authorized providers is sufficient. The bill’s committee outcome—postponed indefinitely in House Education—indicates it did not advance out of committee.
Impact
The bill would amend Colorado Revised Statutes section 22-32-116.5 to require statewide high school activities associations to accept physical therapists licensed under article 285 of title 12 as authorized providers for preparticipation physical examinations and written clearance for team athletic activities. This would expand the pool of professionals who can clear students for school sports, affecting school districts, athletic associations, students, families, and licensed physical therapists. It does not create a new exam requirement; it changes who may satisfy an existing one.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have been introduced with a positive, access-oriented rationale, emphasizing student safety, timely care, and use of an existing health-care profession with relevant training. The legislative declaration is strongly supportive of physical therapists as qualified providers. However, the lack of recorded votes or committee testimony, combined with the House Education Committee’s decision to postpone indefinitely, suggests the measure did not gain enough support to move forward and may have faced skepticism or limited consensus.
Contention
The likely controversy centers on whether physical therapists should be authorized to provide school sports physicals and written clearance, a role traditionally associated with physicians and other advanced practice clinicians. Opponents may question scope of practice, the completeness of a physical therapist’s evaluation for broader medical clearance, or whether the change could dilute existing safeguards. Supporters would argue that physical therapists are appropriately trained to assess musculoskeletal and functional readiness and that the change would improve access, especially in areas with provider shortages.