Georgia HB 752: Professions and businesses; national background checks by FBI through Georgia Crime Information Center for licensing to practice as a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant; provide

Bill Text

20 LC 41 2146
H. B. 752
- 1 -
House Bill 752
By: Representatives Belton of the 112
th, Bonner of the 72
nd, Bennett of the 94
th, Glanton of
the 75
th, and Carson of the 46
th
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Article 1 of Chapter 33 of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated,1
relating to general provisions regarding physical therapists, so as to provide for national2
background checks by the submission of fingerprints to the Federal Bureau of Investigation3
through the Georgia Crime Information Center for licensing to practice as a physical4
therapist or physical therapist assistant; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting5
laws; and for other purposes.6
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:7
SECTION 1.8
Article 1 of Chapter 33 of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to9
general provisions regarding physical therapists, is amended by revising paragraph (13) of10
Code Section 43-33-10, relating to general powers and duties of board, as follows:11
"(13) Conduct criminal history records checks as determined by the board national12
background checks by the submission of fingerprints to the Federal Bureau of13
Investigation through the Georgia Crime Information Center and Federal Bureau of14
Investigation for purposes of issuing licenses; provided, however, that reports from such15
record background checks shall not be shared with entities outside of this state."16
SECTION 2.17
Said article is further amended by revising paragraph (4) of Code Section 43-33-12, relating18
to requirements for license to practice physical therapy, as follows:19
"(4) Has successfully passed a criminal history records check as determined by the board20
satisfactory results from a fingerprint record check report conducted by the Georgia21
Crime Information Center and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, as determined by the22
board. Application for the issuance of a license under this Code section shall constitute23
express consent and authorization for the board or its representative to perform a criminal24
background check. Each applicant who submits an application to the board for licensure25

20 LC 41 2146
H. B. 752
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agrees to provide the board with any and all information necessary to run a criminal26
background check, including, but not limited to, classifiable sets of fingerprints. Such27
applicant shall be responsible for all fees associated with the performance of such28
background check."29
SECTION 3.30
Said article is further amended by revising Code Section 43-33-13, relating to requirements31
for license to practice as physical therapist assistant, as follows:32
"43-33-13.33
A license to practice as a physical therapist assistant shall be issued to any person who:34
(1) Is a graduate of an educational program that prepares physical therapist assistants and35
which is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency and approved by the board or, in36
the case of an applicant who has graduated from an educational program which prepares37
physical therapist assistants conducted in a foreign country, has submitted, in a manner38
prescribed by the board, credentials approved by the board and who has further39
demonstrated the ability to speak, write, and understand the English language and has40
satisfactorily completed a three-month board approved traineeship under the supervision41
of a physical therapist licensed under this article;42
(2) Has satisfactorily passed an examination prepared or approved by the board; and43
(3) Is not disqualified to receive a license under the provisions of Code Section 43-33-1844
or subsection (b) or (c) of Code Section 43-1-19; and45
(4) Has satisfactory results from a fingerprint record check report conducted by the46
Georgia Crime Information Center and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, as47
determined by the board. Application for the issuance of a license under this Code48
section shall constitute express consent and authorization for the board or its49
representative to perform a criminal background check. Each applicant who submits an50
application to the board for licensure agrees to provide the board with any and all51
information necessary to run a criminal background check, including, but not limited to,52
classifiable sets of fingerprints. Such applicant shall be responsible for all fees associated53
with the performance of such background check."54
SECTION 4.55
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.56