Rep. Norm Thurston — Voting Record

Bill

Number

S.B. 84 (2022GS)

Sponsor

Sen. McKell, M.

Final action

Governor Signed 3/23/2022

Outcome

Became law — signed by Gov. Spencer J. Cox

Summary

What it does

• This bill:
• allows a chiropractic physician to use advanced imaging, including x-ray, for diagnostic purposes.

Every vote on this bill

Bill text

CHIROPRACTIC PRACTICE AMENDMENTS
GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Michael K. McKell
House Sponsor: 
Karen M. Peterson
LONG TITLE
General Description:
This bill amends the Chiropractic Physician Practice Act.
Highlighted Provisions:
This bill:
▸ allows a chiropractic physician to use advanced imaging, including x-ray, for
diagnostic purposes.
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
None
Other Special Clauses:
None
Utah Code Sections Affected:
AMENDS:
58-73-601
, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2004, Chapter 280
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1. Section 
58-73-601
 is amended to read:
58-73-601.
Scope of practice for a chiropractic physician.
(1) A chiropractic physician licensed under this chapter may engage in the practice of
chiropractic as defined in Section 
58-73-102
 in accordance with the following standards.
(2) A chiropractic physician may:
(a) examine, diagnose, and treat only within the scope of chiropractic as described in
this Subsection (2);
(b) 
(i)
 use x-ray for diagnostic purposes only; 
and
(ii) order, for diagnostic purposes only:
(A) ultrasound;
(B) magnetic resonance imaging; and
(C) computerized tomography;
(c) administer:
(i) physical agents, including light, heat, cold, water, air, sound, compression,
electricity, and electromagnetic radiation except gamma radiation; and
(ii) physical activities and devices, including:
(A) exercise with and without devices;
(B) joint mobilization;
(C) mechanical stimulation;
(D) postural drainage;
(E) traction;
(F) positioning;
(G) wound debridement, cleansing, and dressing changes;
(H) splinting;
(I) training in locomotion and other functional activities with and without assistance
devices; and
(J) correction of posture, body mechanics, and gait;
(d) administer the following topically applied medicinal agents, including steroids,
anesthetics, coolants, and analgesics for wound care and for musculoskeletal treatment,
including their use by iontophoresis or phonophoresis;
(e) treat pain incident to major or minor surgery, cancer, obstetrics, or x-ray therapy;
(f) utilize immobilizing appliances, casts, and supports for support purposes, but may
not set displaced bone fractures;
(g) inform the patient of possible side effects of medication and recommend referral to
the prescribing practitioner;
(h) provide instruction in the use of physical measures, activities, and devices for
preventive and therapeutic purposes;
(i) provide consulting, educational, and other advisory services for the purposes of
reducing the incidence and severity of physical disability, movement dysfunctions, bodily
malfunction, and pain;
(j) treat a human being to assess, prevent, correct, alleviate, and limit physical
disability, movement dysfunction, bodily malfunction, and pain resulting from disorders,
congenital and aging conditions, injury, and disease; and
(k) administer, interpret, and evaluate tests.
(3) A chiropractic physician may not:
(a) perform incisive surgery;
(b) administer drugs or medicines for which an authorized prescription is required by
law except as provided in Subsection (2)(d);
(c) treat cancer;
(d) practice obstetrics;
(e) prescribe or administer x-ray therapy; or
(f) set displaced fractures.
(4) A chiropractic physician shall assume responsibility for his examinations,
diagnoses, and treatment.
(5) Nothing in this section authorizes a chiropractic physician to prescribe, possess for
dispensing, dispense, purchase without a prescription written by a licensed and authorized
practitioner, or administer, except under Subsection (2)(d), a drug requiring a prescription to
dispense, under Title 58, Chapter 37, Utah Controlled Substances Act, or Title 58, Chapter
17b, Pharmacy Practice Act.
(6) Only primary health care providers licensed under this title as osteopathic
physicians, physicians and surgeons, naturopaths, and chiropractic physicians, may diagnose,
adjust, manipulate, or therapeutically position the articulation of the spinal column to the extent
permitted by their scopes of practice.