The Rhode Island House of Representatives approved legislation sponsored by Rep. Michelle E. McGaw to have Rhode Island join an interstate compact that would make it easier for physical therapists to practice across state lines.
The Physical Therapy Compact, which currently includes 30 active states, would allow Rhode Island to join other states that are part of the agreement, making it easier for therapists licensed in Rhode Island to practice in other member states.
Currently, Rhode Island has 30 active physical therapists licensed to practice. The new law would make it easier for active military members and their spouses, who are licensed physical therapists, to work in Rhode Island.
“Rhode Islanders’ access to health care depends upon having enough licensed professionals available to meet the demand. Joining this interstate compact is a way to increase the number of physical therapists available to patients in our state,” said Representative McGaw (D-Dist. 71, Portsmouth, Tiverton, Little Compton). “Interstate compacts like these also make it much easier for providers who move from one state to another — such as spouses of active military members — to get to work in the field with minimal hassle. This is a step ahead for patients as well as for health care providers, and it will make physical therapy more readily available to Rhode Islanders when they need it.”
The legislation now goes to the Senate, where Senate President Pro Tempore Hanna M. Gallo (D-Dist. 27, Cranston, West Warwick) is sponsoring the Senate version of the bill (2024-S 2876).
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) assisted a What’sUpNewp journalist with the reporting included in this story.