Assigned to HHS                                                                                                                            AS ENACTED

ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Fifty-Third Legislature, First Regular Session

FINAL REVISED

FACT SHEET FOR S.B. 1235

podiatry; amputation

Purpose

Modifies amputation restrictions for a podiatrist.

Background

            The Arizona Board of Podiatry Examiners (Board) maintains and regulates standards of practice in the field of podiatric medicine by licensing and regulating podiatrists specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of the foot and its related structures. The Board consists of three licensed podiatrists and two public members each appointed by the Governor to five-year terms (A.R.S. § 32-802).

            Currently, podiatrists diagnose or use medical, surgical or electrical treatment for ailments of the human foot and leg. However, podiatrists are not allowed to perform amputations of the foot, toe or leg, or administer anesthesia other than local (A.R.S. § 32-801). General surgeons, orthopedic surgeons and vascular surgeons currently perform foot and toe amputations. 

Podiatrists generally obtain a bachelor's degree before entering a four-year Doctor of Podiatric Medicine program. An applicant for podiatry must: 1) be of good moral character; 2) be a graduate of an accredited podiatry school whose standards are recognized by the American Podiatry Association; 3) have the physical and mental capability to engage safety in the practice of podiatry; and 4) have a professional record indicating, if previously engaged in the practice of podiatry, the applicant's license was not refused, revoked, suspended or restricted (A.R.S. § 32-823).

Pursuant to A.R.S. §§ 32-3104 and 32-3106, The CORE Institute submitted a sunrise application to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to permit a podiatrist to perform specified amputations.  The Senate Health and Human Services and the House of Representatives Health Committee of Reference (COR) conducted one public meeting on December 16, 2016, to review the sunrise application as required by A.R.S. § 32-3104 and to receive public testimony. The COR adopted the sunrise application as submitted by The CORE Institute with modifications as agreed upon relating to foot amputation. 

There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation. 

Provisions

1. Permits a podiatrist to perform an amputation of the toe.

2. Specifies an amputation does not include the entire foot.

3. Makes technical and conforming changes.

4. Becomes effective on the general effective date.

Senate Action House Action

HHS                2/1/17     DP        7-0-0                       HEALTH        3/2/17      DP     9-0-0-0

3^rd Read          2/14/17                30-0-0                      3^rd Read          3/20/17               57-0-3

Signed by the Governor 3/27/17

Chapter 82

Prepared by Senate Research

April 4, 2017

EM/JO/jn