Maine § 18703. - Definitions

§ 18703.. Definitions

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.   [PL 2023, c. 329, §1 (NEW); PL 2023, c. 643, Pt. DDD, §1 (AFF).]

1.  Active duty military.  "Active duty military" means full-time duty status in the active uniformed service of the United States, including members of the National Guard and Reserves of the United States Armed Forces on active duty orders pursuant to 10 United States Code, Chapters 1209 and 1211.

2.  Adverse action.  "Adverse action" means disciplinary action taken by a physical therapy licensing board based upon misconduct, unacceptable performance or a combination of both.

3.  Alternative program.  "Alternative program" means a nondisciplinary monitoring or practice remediation process approved by a physical therapy licensing board, including, but not limited to, addressing substance use disorder issues.

4.  Compact privilege.  "Compact privilege" means the authorization granted by a remote state to allow a licensee from another member state to practice as a physical therapist or work as a physical therapist assistant in the remote state under its laws and rules. The practice of physical therapy occurs in the member state where the patient is located at the time of the physical therapy services.

5.  Continuing competence.  "Continuing competence" means a requirement, as a condition of license renewal, to provide evidence of participation in, or completion of, educational and professional activities relevant to practice or area of work.

6.  Data system.  "Data system" means a repository of information about licensees, including examination, licensure, investigative, compact privilege and adverse action information.

7.  Encumbered license.  "Encumbered license" means a license that a physical therapy licensing board has limited in any way.

8.  Executive board.  "Executive board" means a group of directors elected or appointed to act on behalf of, and within the powers granted to them by, the commission.

9.  Home state.  "Home state" means the member state that is the licensee's primary state of residence.

10.  Investigative information.  "Investigative information" means information, records and documents received or generated by a physical therapy licensing board pursuant to an investigation.

11.  Jurisprudence requirement.  "Jurisprudence requirement" means the assessment of an individual's knowledge of the laws and rules governing the practice of physical therapy in a state.

12.  Licensee.  "Licensee" means an individual who currently holds an authorization from a state to practice as a physical therapist or to work as a physical therapist assistant.

13.  Member state.  "Member state" means a state that has enacted the compact.

14.  Party state.  "Party state" means any member state in which a licensee holds a current license or compact privilege or is applying for a license or compact privilege.

15.  Physical therapist.  "Physical therapist" means an individual who is licensed by a state to practice physical therapy.

16.  Physical therapist assistant.  "Physical therapist assistant" means an individual who is licensed or certified by a state and who assists a physical therapist in selected components of physical therapy.

17.  Physical therapy, physical therapy practice or the practice of physical therapy.  "Physical therapy," "physical therapy practice" or "the practice of physical therapy" means the care and services provided by or under the direction and supervision of a licensed physical therapist.

18.  Physical therapy compact commission or commission.  "Physical therapy compact commission" or "commission" means the national administrative body whose membership consists of all states that have enacted the compact pursuant to section 18708.

19.  Physical therapy licensing board or licensing board.  "Physical therapy licensing board" or "licensing board" means the agency of a state that is responsible for the licensing and regulation of physical therapists and physical therapist assistants.

20.  Remote state.  "Remote state" means a member state other than the home state where a licensee is exercising or seeking to exercise the compact privilege.

21.  Rule.  "Rule" means a regulation, principle or directive promulgated by the commission that has the force of law.

22.  State.  "State" means any state, commonwealth, district or territory of the United States that regulates the practice of physical therapy.