Practice of physical therapy; clarifying certain exemption from referral. Effective date.
SB 808 clarifies Oklahoma's physical therapy referral rules, allowing licensed physical therapists (and assistants under supervision) to evaluate and treat patients without a doctor's referral for up to 30 days, except for workers' compensation cases. It specifically exempts children receiving physical therapy under federal special education laws (IDEA/504), screening/education services, and non-injury-related fitness/wellness programs. The bill explicitly states physical therapists cannot practice "healing arts" beyond their scope and maintains existing restrictions on non-therapeutic services. Signed into law on April 23, 2025, it takes effect November 1, 2025.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Mar 2025
House Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
Apr 2025
Introduced Feb 3, 2025
Signed Apr 23, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 4 comparisons
What changed between versions
Floor (House)
→
Floor (Senate)
·
4 edits
MODERATE
The bill text was reformatted from House floor version to Senate floor version, with minor wording adjustments to improve clarity. The substantive policy content regarding physical therapy referral exemptions and practice scope remains unchanged.
TECHNICAL
Header formatting changed from 'HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES' to 'SENATE FLOOR VERSION' with updated date and page numbering.
Minor wording adjustments in Section 887.17, such as changing 'including, but not limited to' to 'including, but not limited' and reordering some clauses for readability.
Added new paragraph 4 to Section 887.17 clarifying that physical therapists may provide fitness, wellness, or prevention services not related to treating injuries or ailments.
Committee report date changed from 04/16/2025 to February 24, 2025 to match Senate floor version timestamp.
Floor votes · Senate Mar 11, 2025 · House Apr 21, 2025
How they voted
44–0
Passed · 5 other
Total votes 49
Mar 11, 2025
D
Democratic9
88% Yea
R
Republican40
90% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
23
Key actions
7
Committee
6
Apr 23, 2025
Signed into law
Approved by Governor 04/23/2025
upper
Apr 21, 2025
Committee
Referred for enrollment
upper
Apr 21, 2025
Lower · Passed
Third Reading, Measure passed: Ayes: 80 Nays: 0
lower
Apr 16, 2025
Lower · Passed
CR; Do Pass Health and Human Services Oversight Committee
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Lower · Passed
Policy recommendation to the Health and Human Services Oversight committee; Do Pass Public Health
lower
Apr 1, 2025
Committee
Referred to Public Health
lower
Mar 12, 2025
Introduced
First Reading
lower
Mar 12, 2025
Upper · Passed
Engrossed to House
upper
Mar 11, 2025
Committee
Referred for engrossment
upper
Mar 11, 2025
Upper · Passed
Measure passed: Ayes: 44 Nays: 0
upper
Feb 24, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported Do Pass Health and Human Services committee; CR filed
upper
Feb 3, 2025
Introduced
First Reading
upper
2 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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