Committee postpones House Bill 12 31 to allow CHASA and physical therapists to craft approval process

The House Education Committee voted to postpone House Bill 12 31 indefinitely after bill sponsors asked for more time for CHASA (Colorado High School Activities Association) and the physical therapy community to finalize an approval process for physical therapists to perform pre‑participation sports physicals.

A sponsor told the committee CHASA operates a medical advisory committee that determines qualified providers and that the group will work with the physical therapy community ‘‘to establish a clear, accessible and equivalent approval process for physical therapists to perform pre participation physicals.’’ The sponsor asked the committee to ‘‘postpone House Bill 12 31 indefinitely to allow this work to be completed.’’

Representative Bradley, who identified herself as a licensed physical therapist during testimony, urged caution and opposed the postponement. Bradley described the profession’s clinical training and continuing‑education requirements and said physical therapists provide more thorough orthopedic and functional screening than typical brief sports‑physical clinics. ‘‘PTs can add functional movement screening, balance and stability testing and return to play risk assessment,’’ Bradley said, arguing that removing the proposal now would reduce access to meaningful care for some students.

After brief discussion, the clerk called the roll. The motion to postpone passed by a recorded vote of 11 to 1 with one member excused; Bradley was the lone no vote and one member was recorded as excused. The committee noted the sponsors’ request was made to allow CHASA and stakeholders to complete an approval process before the Legislature takes further action.

The committee took no further action on the bill; it is postponed indefinitely. The committee then moved on to the next agenda item, Senate Bill 126.