Relates to extending provisions of law relating to physical therapy assistant services in public and private primary and secondary schools.
Summary
S08251 is a simple extender bill that continues an existing law governing the provision of physical therapy assistant services in public and private primary and secondary schools. The bill does not create a new program or change the underlying service rules; instead, it updates the expiration date of the current authorization from June 30, 2025 to June 30, 2030, allowing the existing framework to remain in place for another five years.
The measure is limited in scope and is primarily administrative in nature. By extending the sunset date, it preserves the ability of schools to continue using physical therapy assistant services under the current statutory authority in the Education Law as originally enacted in chapter 20 of the laws of 1998 and previously extended in 2020.
Impact
If enacted, the bill would amend the expiration clause of chapter 20 of the laws of 1998, as amended, so that the authorization for physical therapy assistant services in K-12 schools remains effective until June 30, 2030. The practical effect is to avoid a lapse in authority for public and private primary and secondary schools that rely on these services, and to maintain the existing legal framework for school-based physical therapy assistant support without altering substantive eligibility, licensing, or service-delivery requirements.
Sentiment
The available record suggests generally favorable or routine support for the bill, though no committee transcript or vote data is provided. Because the measure is a straightforward extension of an existing school health service provision, it appears to be the kind of noncontroversial legislation often advanced to prevent an unintended sunset. There is no evidence in the supplied materials of organized opposition or significant debate.
Contention
No specific points of contention are identified in the bill text or the provided legislative history. If any concerns were raised, they would likely relate to the broader policy question of whether school-based physical therapy assistant services should continue to be authorized and funded, but the materials supplied do not show disagreement among legislators, school districts, or professional groups. The bill’s narrow sunset extension and lack of substantive policy change suggest minimal controversy.
Includes physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, respiratory therapists, respiratory therapy technicians, and recreational therapists within the existing statutory staffing standards for nursing homes.
Changes the definition of continuous supervision in relation to physical therapist assistants in both the home care setting and school setting by eliminating the joint visit requirement with the patient by the supervising licensed physical therapist and the licensed physical therapist assistant.
Changes the definition of continuous supervision in relation to physical therapist assistants in both the home care setting and school setting by eliminating the joint visit requirement with the patient by the supervising licensed physical therapist and the licensed physical therapist assistant.
Relates to the performance of medical services by physician assistants; provides that a physician assistant may practice without the supervision of a physician when such physician assistant is employed by a health system or hospital and is credentialed and given privileges by such health system or hospital, or when such physician assistant is licensed, has practiced for more than six thousand hours, is practicing in primary care, and is performing certain functions.
Relates to the performance of medical services by physician assistants; provides that a physician assistant may practice without the supervision of a physician when such physician assistant is employed by a health system or hospital and is credentialed and given privileges by such health system or hospital, or when such physician assistant is licensed, has practiced for more than six thousand hours, is practicing in primary care, and is performing certain functions.