Congratulations to all of you Alabama practitioners and legislators who worked so hard to pass the law. I am sure that this law will lead to higher standards of care in Alabama and it demonstrates the committment that the Alabama legislature has for its citizens with disabilities.
> —–Original Message—–
> From: Anthony T. Barr [SMTP:t-barr@t-barr.com]
> Sent: Thursday, May 02, 2002 10:56 AM
> To: OANDP-L@LISTS.UFL.EDU
> Subject: [OANDP-L] US POLITICS/ ALABAMA PASSES O&P REGULATION
> LEGISLATION
>
> Congratulations Alabama O&P Profession !
>
> ANNOUNCING!
>
> April 26, 2002, Montgomery, AL
>
>
>
> Governor Don Siegleman today signed the Prosthetics and Orthotics Act
> (Act
> 02-527) establishing the Alabama State Board of Prosthetists and
> Orthotists. The Board will develop rules and regulations to interpret the
> legislative requirements for licensure or registration of all individuals
> providing custom prosthetic and orthotic services to Alabama consumers.
>
>
>
> The bill’s sponsors, Senator Harri-Anne Smith and Representative J.E.
> Turner worked closely with the Government Relations committee of the
> Alabama Prosthetic and Orthotic Association. Led by Chairman Glenn
> Crumpton, CPO, C.Ped., the committee members are Preston K. Watts,
> Jr., CPO and Joseph C. Elliott, CP. Other APOA members deserving
> special credit are Marvin Fourroux, CPO and Stephen A. Blackwell, CPO.
> These clinicians, along with other members of the APOA worked many
> hours to educate the members of the legislature about the need for
> such licensure.
>
>
>
> Act 02-527 includes individuals certified by the American Board for
> Certification in Prosthetics and Orthotics, Inc. and those certified
> by the Board for Orthotic/Prosthetic Certification. Licensure will be
> accorded to all certifees meeting the regulations that will be
> published based on the requirements set forth in Act 02-527.
>
>
>
> Board members who are clinicians will be appointed by the Governor,
> Lieutenant Governor, President Pro-Tem of the Senate and Speaker of
> the House of Representatives from a list of nominees to be submitted
> by the Alabama Prosthetic and Orthotic Association. Other members of
> the board will be appointed upon nomination by their professional
> organizations or upon direct application to the appointing officer.
>
>
>
> In summary, the Act:
>
> 1) provides consumers of prosthetic and orthotic services in our state
> a means to be sure they are dealing with qualified individuals
>
> 2) clearly defines prosthesis, orthosis, prosthetics, orthotics,
> prosthetist, orthotist
>
> 3) defines other allied health providers according to their current
> delineation in the Alabama Code
>
> 4) has no residency requirement
>
> 5) provides a grandfather period for current providers of custom
> prosthetic and orthotic services who apply within a one-year time
> period that starts when the Board approves and publishes the
> application form for registration and licensure.
>
> 6) provides for the Board to establish test procedure and format for
> licensure after grandfather period expires
>
> 7) provides for the Board to establish licensed assistant criteria and
> licensure
>
> 8) requires continuing education to maintain license
>
> 9) provides for registration of those individuals who represent
> manufacturers and sell directly to patients to place their activities
> under regulation by the Board
>
> 10) provides for enforcement against non-licensed practitioners
> and those who violate the Code of Ethics as published by the American
> Board for Certification in Prosthetics and Orthotics, Inc.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> For further information, contact Joseph C. Elliott, CP at (205)
> 323-2574
>
>
>
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