1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to health; regulating the practice of orthotics, prosthetics, and pedorthics; 
1.3 	requiring licensure; establishing fees;proposing coding for new law as Minnesota 
1.4 	Statutes, chapter 153B.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. [153B.10] SHORT TITLE.
1.7 	Chapter 153B may be cited as the "Minnesota Orthotist, Prosthetist, and Pedorthist 
1.8 	Practice Act."

1.9 	Sec. 2. [153B.15] DEFINITIONS.
1.10 		Subdivision 1.Application. For purposes of this act, the following words have 
1.11 	the meanings given.
1.12 		Subd. 2.Advisory council. "Advisory council" means the Orthotics, Prosthetics, 
1.13 	and Pedorthics Advisory Council established under section 153B.25.
1.14 		Subd. 3.Board. "Board" means the Board of Podiatric Medicine.
1.15 		Subd. 4.Custom-fabricated device. "Custom-fabricated device" means an orthosis, 
1.16 	prosthesis, or pedorthic device for use by a patient that is fabricated to comprehensive 
1.17 	measurements or a mold or patient model in accordance with a prescription and which 
1.18 	requires on-site or in-person clinical and technical judgment in its design, fabrication, 
1.19 	and fitting.
1.20 		Subd. 5.Licensed orthotic-prosthetic assistant. "Licensed orthotic-prosthetic 
1.21 	assistant" or "assistant" means a person, licensed by the board, who is educated and 
1.22 	trained to participate in comprehensive orthotic and prosthetic care while under the 
1.23 	supervision of a licensed orthotist or licensed prosthetist. Assistants may perform orthotic 
2.1 	and prosthetic procedures and related tasks in the management of patient care. The 
2.2 	assistant may fabricate, repair, and maintain orthoses and prostheses. The use of the title 
2.3 	"orthotic-prosthetic assistant" or representations to the public is limited to a person who is 
2.4 	licensed under this chapter as an orthotic-prosthetic assistant.
2.5 		Subd. 6.Licensed orthotic fitter. "Licensed orthotic fitter" or "fitter" means a 
2.6 	person licensed by the board who is educated and trained in providing certain orthoses, 
2.7 	and is trained to conduct patient assessments, formulate treatment plans, implement 
2.8 	treatment plans, perform follow-up, and practice management pursuant to a prescription. 
2.9 	An orthotic fitter must be competent to fit certain custom-fitted, prefabricated, and 
2.10 	off-the-shelf orthoses as follows:
2.11 	(1) cervical orthoses, except those used to treat an unstable cervical condition;
2.12 	(2) prefabricated orthoses for the upper and lower extremities, except those used in: 
2.13 	(i) the initial or acute treatment of long bone fractures and dislocations;
2.14 	(ii) therapeutic shoes and inserts needed as a result of diabetes; and
2.15 	(iii) functional electrical stimulation orthoses;
2.16 	(3) prefabricated spinal orthoses, except those used in the treatment of scoliosis or 
2.17 	unstable spinal conditions, including halo cervical orthoses; and
2.18 	(4) trusses.
2.19 	The use of the title "orthotic fitter" or representations to the public is limited to a person 
2.20 	who is licensed under this chapter as an orthotic fitter.
2.21 		Subd. 7.Licensed orthotist. "Licensed orthotist" means a person licensed by 
2.22 	the board who is educated and trained to practice orthotics, which includes managing 
2.23 	comprehensive orthotic patient care pursuant to a prescription. The use of the title 
2.24 	"orthotist" or representations to the public is limited to a person who is licensed under 
2.25 	this chapter as an orthotist.
2.26 		Subd. 8.Licensed pedorthist. "Licensed pedorthist" means a person licensed by 
2.27 	the board who is educated and trained to manage comprehensive pedorthic patient care 
2.28 	and who performs patient assessments, formulates and implements treatment plans, and 
2.29 	performs follow-up and practice management pursuant to a prescription. A pedorthist may 
2.30 	fit, fabricate, adjust, or modify devices within the scope of the pedorthist's education and 
2.31 	training. Use of the title "pedorthist" or representations to the public is limited to a person 
2.32 	who is licensed under this chapter as a pedorthist.
2.33 		Subd. 9.Licensed prosthetist. "Licensed prosthetist" means a person licensed by 
2.34 	the board who is educated and trained to manage comprehensive prosthetic patient care, 
2.35 	and who performs patient assessments, formulates and implements treatment plans, and 
2.36 	performs follow-up and practice management pursuant to a prescription. Use of the title 
3.1 	"prosthetist" or representations to the public is limited to a person who is licensed under 
3.2 	this chapter as a prosthetist.
3.3 		Subd. 10.Licensed prosthetist orthotist. "Licensed prosthetist orthotist" means a 
3.4 	person licensed by the board who is educated and trained to manage comprehensive 
3.5 	prosthetic and orthotic patient care, and who performs patient assessments, formulates and 
3.6 	implements treatment plans, and performs follow-up and practice management pursuant to 
3.7 	a prescription. Use of the title "prosthetist orthotist" or representations to the public is 
3.8 	limited to a person who is licensed under this chapter as a prosthetist orthotist.
3.9 		Subd. 11.NCOPE. "NCOPE" means National Commission on Orthotic and 
3.10 	Prosthetic Education, an accreditation program that ensures educational institutions and 
3.11 	residency programs meet the minimum standards of quality to prepare individuals to enter 
3.12 	the orthotic, prosthetic, and pedorthic professions.
3.13 		Subd. 12.Orthosis. "Orthosis" means an external device that is custom-fabricated 
3.14 	or custom-fitted to a specific patient based on the patient's unique physical condition and 
3.15 	is applied to a part of the body to help correct a deformity, provide support and protection, 
3.16 	restrict motion, improve function, or relieve symptoms of a disease, syndrome, injury, or 
3.17 	postoperative condition.
3.18 		Subd. 13.Orthotics. "Orthotics" means the science and practice of evaluating, 
3.19 	measuring, designing, fabricating, assembling, fitting, adjusting, or servicing an orthosis 
3.20 	pursuant to a prescription. The practice of orthotics includes providing the initial training 
3.21 	necessary for fitting an orthotic device for the support, correction, or alleviation of 
3.22 	neuromuscular or musculoskeletal dysfunction, disease, injury, or deformity.
3.23 		Subd. 14.Over-the-counter. "Over-the-counter" means a prefabricated, 
3.24 	mass-produced item that is prepackaged, requires no professional advice or judgment in 
3.25 	size selection or use, and is currently available at retail stores without a prescription. 
3.26 	Over-the-counter items are not regulated by this act.
3.27 		Subd. 15.Off-the-shelf. "Off-the-shelf" means a prefabricated device sized or 
3.28 	modified for the patient's use pursuant to a prescription and which requires changes to be 
3.29 	made by a qualified practitioner to achieve an individual fit, such as requiring the item 
3.30 	to be trimmed, bent, or molded with or without heat, or requiring any other alterations 
3.31 	beyond self adjustment.
3.32 		Subd. 16.Pedorthic device. "Pedorthic device" means below-the-ankle partial 
3.33 	foot prostheses for transmetatarsal and more distal amputations, foot orthoses, and 
3.34 	subtalar-control foot orthoses to control the range of motion of the subtalar joint. 
3.35 	A prescription is required for any pedorthic device, modification, or prefabricated 
3.36 	below-the-knee orthosis addressing a medical condition that originates at the ankle or 
4.1 	below. Pedorthic devices do not include nontherapeutic inlays or footwear regardless 
4.2 	of method of manufacture; unmodified, nontherapeutic over-the-counter shoes; or 
4.3 	prefabricated foot care products.
4.4 		Subd. 17.Pedorthics. "Pedorthics" means the science and practice of evaluating, 
4.5 	measuring, designing, fabricating, assembling, fitting, adjusting, or servicing a pedorthic 
4.6 	device pursuant to a prescription for the correction or alleviation of neuromuscular or 
4.7 	musculoskeletal dysfunction, disease, injury, or deformity. The practice of pedorthics 
4.8 	includes providing patient care and services pursuant to a prescription to prevent or 
4.9 	ameliorate painful or disabling conditions of the foot and ankle.
4.10 		Subd. 18.Prescription. "Prescription" means an order deemed medically necessary 
4.11 	by a physician, podiatric physician, osteopathic physician, or a licensed health care 
4.12 	provider who has authority in this state to prescribe orthotic and prosthetic devices, 
4.13 	supplies, and services.
4.14 		Subd. 19.Prosthesis. "Prosthesis" means a custom-designed, fabricated, fitted, or 
4.15 	modified device to treat partial or total limb loss for purposes of restoring physiological 
4.16 	function or cosmesis. Prosthesis does not include artificial eyes, ears, fingers, or toes; 
4.17 	dental appliances; external breast prosthesis; or cosmetic devices that do not have a 
4.18 	significant impact on the musculoskeletal functions of the body.
4.19 		Subd. 20.Prosthetics. "Prosthetics" means the science and practice of evaluating, 
4.20 	measuring, designing, fabricating, assembling, fitting, adjusting, or servicing a prosthesis 
4.21 	pursuant to a prescription. It includes providing the initial training necessary to fit a 
4.22 	prosthesis in order to replace external parts of a human body lost due to amputation, 
4.23 	congenital deformities, or absence.
4.24 		Subd. 21.Resident. "Resident" means a person who has completed a 
4.25 	NCOPE-approved education program in orthotics or prosthetics and is receiving clinical 
4.26 	training in a residency accredited by NCOPE.
4.27 		Subd. 22.Residency. "Residency" means a minimum of an NCOPE-approved 
4.28 	program to acquire practical clinical training in orthotics and prosthetics in a patient 
4.29 	care setting.
4.30 		Subd. 23.Supervisor. "Supervisor" means the licensed orthotist, prosthetist, or 
4.31 	pedorthist who oversees and is responsible for the delivery of appropriate, effective, 
4.32 	ethical, and safe orthotic, prosthetic, or pedorthic patient care.

4.33 	Sec. 3. [153B.20] EXCEPTIONS.
4.34 	Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit:
5.1 	(1) a physician, osteopathic physician, or podiatric physician licensed by the state of 
5.2 	Minnesota from providing services within the physician's scope of practice;
5.3 	(2) a professional regulated in this state, including but not limited to physical 
5.4 	therapists and occupational therapists, from providing services within the professional's 
5.5 	scope of practice;
5.6 	(3) a health professional or a representative from a device manufacturer from 
5.7 	providing services under the supervision of a physician, osteopathic physician, or podiatric 
5.8 	physician licensed by the state of Minnesota;
5.9 	(4) the practice of orthotics, prosthetics, or pedorthics by a person who is employed 
5.10 	by the federal government or any bureau, division, or agency of the federal government 
5.11 	while in the discharge of the employee's official duties;
5.12 	(5) the practice of orthotics, prosthetics, or pedorthics by:
5.13 	(i) a student enrolled in an accredited or approved orthotics, prosthetics, or 
5.14 	pedorthics education program who is performing activities required by the program;
5.15 	(ii) a resident enrolled in an NCOPE-accredited residency program; or
5.16 	(iii) a person working in a qualified, supervised work experience or internship who 
5.17 	is obtaining the clinical experience necessary for licensure under this chapter; or
5.18 	(6) an orthotist, prosthetist, prosthetist orthotist, pedorthist, assistant, or fitter who is 
5.19 	licensed in another state or territory of the United States or in another country that has 
5.20 	equivalent licensure requirements as approved by the board from providing services within 
5.21 	the professional's scope of practice subject to this paragraph, if the individual is qualified 
5.22 	and has applied for licensure under this chapter. The individual shall be allowed to practice 
5.23 	for no longer than six months following the filing of the application for licensure, unless 
5.24 	the individual withdraws the application for licensure or the board denies the license.

5.25 	Sec. 4. [153B.25] ORTHOTICS, PROSTHETICS, AND PEDORTHICS 
5.26 	ADVISORY COUNCIL.
5.27 		Subdivision 1.Creation; membership. (a) There is established an Orthotics, 
5.28 	Prosthetics, and Pedorthics Advisory Council which shall consist of seven voting members 
5.29 	appointed by the board. Five members shall be licensed and practicing orthotists, 
5.30 	prosthetists, or pedorthists. Each profession shall be represented on the advisory council. 
5.31 	One member shall be a Minnesota-licensed doctor of podiatric medicine who is also a 
5.32 	member of the Board of Podiatric Medicine, and one member shall be a public member.
5.33 	(b) The council shall be organized and administered under section 15.059.
5.34 		Subd. 2.Duties. The advisory council shall:
5.35 	(1) advise the board on enforcement of the provisions contained in this chapter;
6.1 	(2) review reports of investigations or complaints relating to individuals and make 
6.2 	recommendations to the board as to whether a license should be denied or disciplinary 
6.3 	action taken against an individual;
6.4 	(3) advise the board regarding standards for licensure of professionals under this 
6.5 	chapter; and
6.6 	(4) perform other duties authorized for advisory councils by chapter 214, as directed 
6.7 	by the board.
6.8 		Subd. 3.Chair. The council must elect a chair from among its members.
6.9 		Subd. 4.Administrative provisions. The Board of Podiatric Medicine must 
6.10 	provide meeting space and administrative services for the council.

6.11 	Sec. 5. [153B.30] LICENSURE.
6.12 		Subdivision 1.Application. An application for a license shall be submitted to the 
6.13 	board in the format required by the board and shall be accompanied by the required fee, 
6.14 	which is nonrefundable.
6.15 		Subd. 2.Qualifications. (a) To be eligible for licensure as an orthotist, prosthetist, 
6.16 	or prosthetist orthotist, an applicant shall meet orthotist, prosthetist, or prosthetist orthotist 
6.17 	certification requirements of either the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, 
6.18 	Prosthetics, and Pedorthics or the Board of Certification/Accreditation requirements in 
6.19 	effect at the time of the individual's application for licensure and be in good standing 
6.20 	with the certifying board.
6.21 	(b) To be eligible for licensure as a pedorthist, an applicant shall meet the pedorthist 
6.22 	certification requirements of either the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, 
6.23 	Prosthetics, and Pedorthics or the Board of Certification/Accreditation that are in effect 
6.24 	at the time of the individual's application for licensure and be in good standing with 
6.25 	the certifying board.
6.26 	(c) To be eligible for licensure as an orthotic or prosthetic assistant, an applicant shall 
6.27 	meet the orthotic or prosthetic assistant certification requirements of the American Board 
6.28 	for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics, and Pedorthics that are in effect at the time of 
6.29 	the individual's application for licensure and be in good standing with the certifying board.
6.30 	(d) To be eligible for licensure as an orthotic fitter, an applicant shall meet the 
6.31 	orthotic fitter certification requirements of either the American Board for Certification in 
6.32 	Orthotics, Prosthetics, and Pedorthics or the Board of Certification/Accreditation that are 
6.33 	in effect at the time of the individual's application for licensure and be in good standing 
6.34 	with the certifying board.
7.1 		Subd. 3.License term. A license to practice is valid for a term of up to 24 months 
7.2 	beginning on January 1 or commencing after initially fulfilling the license requirements 
7.3 	and ending on December 31 of the following year.

7.4 	Sec. 6. [153B.35] EMPLOYMENT BY AN ACCREDITED FACILITY; SCOPE 
7.5 	OF PRACTICE.
7.6 	A licensed orthotist, prosthetist, pedorthist, assistant, or orthotic fitter may provide 
7.7 	limited, supervised patient care services beyond their licensed scope of practice if all of 
7.8 	the following conditions are met:
7.9 	(1) the licensee is employed by a patient care facility that is accredited by a national 
7.10 	accrediting organization in orthotics, prosthetics, and pedorthics;
7.11 	(2) written objective criteria are documented by the accredited facility to describe 
7.12 	the knowledge and skills required by the licensee to demonstrate competency to provide 
7.13 	additional specific and limited patient care services that are outside the licensee's scope of 
7.14 	practice;
7.15 	(3) the licensee provides patient care only at the direction of a supervisor who is 
7.16 	licensed as an orthotist, pedorthist, or prosthetist who is employed by the facility to provide 
7.17 	the specific patient care or services that are outside the licensee's scope of practice; and
7.18 	(4) the supervised patient care occurs in compliance with facility accreditation 
7.19 	standards.

7.20 	Sec. 7. [153B.40] CONTINUING EDUCATION.
7.21 		Subdivision 1.Requirement. Each licensee shall obtain the number of continuing 
7.22 	education hours required by the certifying board to maintain certification status pursuant 
7.23 	to the specific license category.
7.24 		Subd. 2.Proof of attendance. A licensee must submit to the board proof of 
7.25 	attendance at approved continuing education programs during the license renewal period 
7.26 	in which it was attended in the form of a certificate, statement of continuing education 
7.27 	credits from the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics, and Pedorthics 
7.28 	or the Board of Certification/Accreditation, descriptive receipt, or affidavit. The board 
7.29 	may conduct random audits.
7.30 		Subd. 3.Extension of continuing education requirements. For good cause, a 
7.31 	licensee may apply to the board for a six-month extension of the deadline for obtaining 
7.32 	the required number of continuing education credits. No more than two consecutive 
7.33 	extensions may be granted. For purposes of this subdivision, "good cause" includes 
7.34 	unforeseen hardships such as illness, family emergency, or military call-up.

8.1 	Sec. 8. [153B.45] LICENSE RENEWAL.
8.2 		Subdivision 1.Submission of license renewal application. A licensee must submit 
8.3 	to the board a license renewal application on a form provided by the board together with 
8.4 	the license renewal fee. The completed form must be postmarked no later than January 1 
8.5 	in the year of renewal. The form must be signed by the licensee in the place provided for 
8.6 	the renewal applicant's signature, include evidence of participation in approved continuing 
8.7 	education programs, and any other information as the board may reasonably require.
8.8 		Subd. 2.Renewal application postmarked after January 1. A renewal application 
8.9 	postmarked after January 1 in the renewal year shall be returned to the licensee for addition 
8.10 	of the late renewal fee. A license renewal application postmarked after January 1 in the 
8.11 	renewal year is not complete until the late renewal fee has been received by the board.
8.12 		Subd. 3.Failure to submit renewal application. (a) At any time after January 1 of 
8.13 	the applicable renewal year, the board shall send notice to a licensee who has failed to 
8.14 	apply for license renewal. The notice shall be mailed to the licensee at the last address on 
8.15 	file with the board and shall include the following information:
8.16 	(1) that the licensee has failed to submit application for license renewal;
8.17 	(2) the amount of renewal and late fees;
8.18 	(3) information about continuing education that must be submitted in order for 
8.19 	the license to be renewed;
8.20 	(4) that the licensee must respond within 30 calendar days after the notice was sent 
8.21 	by the board; and
8.22 	(5) that the licensee may voluntarily terminate the license by notifying the board 
8.23 	or may apply for license renewal by sending the board a completed renewal application, 
8.24 	license renewal and late fees, and evidence of compliance with continuing education 
8.25 	requirements.
8.26 	(b) Failure by the licensee to notify the board of the licensee's intent to voluntarily 
8.27 	terminate the license or to submit a license renewal application shall result in expiration 
8.28 	of the license and termination of the right to practice. The expiration of the license and 
8.29 	termination of the right to practice shall not be considered disciplinary action against the 
8.30 	licensee.
8.31 	(c) A license that has been expired under this subdivision may be reinstated.

8.32 	Sec. 9. [153B.50] NAME AND ADDRESS CHANGE.
8.33 	(a) A licensee who has changed names must notify the board in writing within 90 
8.34 	days and request a revised license. The board may require official documentation of the 
8.35 	legal name change.
9.1 	(b) A licensee must maintain with the board a correct mailing address to receive 
9.2 	board communications and notices. A licensee who has changed addresses must notify the 
9.3 	board in writing within 90 days. Mailing a notice by United States mail to a licensee's last 
9.4 	known mailing address constitutes valid mailing.

9.5 	Sec. 10. [153B.55] INACTIVE STATUS.
9.6 	(a) A licensee who notifies the board in the format required by the board may elect 
9.7 	to place the licensee's credential on inactive status and shall be excused from payment 
9.8 	of renewal fees until the licensee notifies the board in the format required by the board 
9.9 	of the licensee's plan to return to practice.
9.10 	(b) A person requesting restoration from inactive status shall be required to pay the 
9.11 	current renewal fee and comply with section 153B.45.
9.12 	(c) A person whose license has been placed on inactive status shall not practice in 
9.13 	this state.

9.14 	Sec. 11. [153B.60] LICENSE LAPSE DUE TO MILITARY SERVICE.
9.15 	A licensee whose license has expired while on active duty in the armed forces of the 
9.16 	United States, with the National Guard while called into service or training, or while in 
9.17 	training or education preliminary to induction into military service may have the licensee's 
9.18 	license renewed or restored without paying a late fee or license restoration fee if the licensee 
9.19 	provides verification to the board within two years of the termination of service obligation.

9.20 	Sec. 12. [153B.65] ENDORSEMENT.
9.21 	The board may license, without examination and on payment of the required fee, 
9.22 	an applicant who is an orthotist, prosthetist, prosthetist orthotist, pedorthist, assistant, or 
9.23 	fitter who is certified by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics, 
9.24 	and Pedorthics or a national certification organization with educational, experiential, and 
9.25 	testing standards equal to or higher than the licensing requirements in Minnesota.

9.26 	Sec. 13. [153B.70] GROUNDS FOR DISCIPLINARY ACTION.
9.27 	(a) The board may refuse to issue or renew a license, revoke or suspend a license, or 
9.28 	place on probation or reprimand a licensee for one or any combination of the following:
9.29 	(1) making a material misstatement in furnishing information to the board;
9.30 	(2) violating or intentionally disregarding the requirements of this chapter;
9.31 	(3) conviction of a crime, including a finding or verdict of guilt, an admission of 
9.32 	guilt, or a no-contest plea, in this state or elsewhere, reasonably related to the practice 
10.1 	of the profession. Conviction, as used in this clause, includes a conviction of an offense 
10.2 	which, if committed in this state, would be deemed a felony, gross misdemeanor, or 
10.3 	misdemeanor, without regard to its designation elsewhere, or a criminal proceeding where 
10.4 	a finding or verdict of guilty is made or returned but the adjudication of guilt is either 
10.5 	withheld or not entered;
10.6 	(4) making a misrepresentation in order to obtain or renew a license;
10.7 	(5) displaying a pattern of practice or other behavior that demonstrates incapacity or 
10.8 	incompetence to practice;
10.9 	(6) aiding or assisting another person in violating the provisions of this chapter;
10.10 	(7) failing to provide information within 60 days in response to a written request from 
10.11 	the board, including documentation of completion of continuing education requirements;
10.12 	(8) engaging in dishonorable, unethical, or unprofessional conduct;
10.13 	(9) engaging in conduct of a character likely to deceive, defraud, or harm the public;
10.14 	(10) inability to practice due to habitual intoxication, addiction to drugs, or mental 
10.15 	or physical illness;
10.16 	(11) being disciplined by another state or territory of the United States, the federal 
10.17 	government, a national certification organization, or foreign nation, if at least one of the 
10.18 	grounds for the discipline is the same or substantially equivalent to one of the grounds 
10.19 	in this section;
10.20 	(12) directly or indirectly giving to or receiving from a person, firm, corporation, 
10.21 	partnership, or association a fee, commission, rebate, or other form of compensation for 
10.22 	professional services not actually or personally rendered;
10.23 	(13) incurring a finding by the board that the licensee, after the licensee has been 
10.24 	placed on probationary status, has violated the conditions of the probation;
10.25 	(14) abandoning a patient or client;
10.26 	(15) willfully making or filing false records or reports in the course of the licensee's 
10.27 	practice including, but not limited to, false records or reports filed with state or federal 
10.28 	agencies;
10.29 	(16) willfully failing to report child maltreatment as required under the Maltreatment 
10.30 	of Minors Act, section 626.556; or
10.31 	(17) soliciting professional services using false or misleading advertising.
10.32 	(b) A license to practice is automatically suspended if (1) a guardian of a licensee is 
10.33 	appointed by order of a court pursuant to sections 524.5-101 to 524.5-502, for reasons 
10.34 	other than the minority of the licensee, or (2) the licensee is committed by order of a court 
10.35 	pursuant to chapter 253B. The license remains suspended until the licensee is restored to 
10.36 	capacity by a court and, upon petition by the licensee, the suspension is terminated by the 
11.1 	board after a hearing. The licensee may be reinstated to practice, either with or without 
11.2 	restrictions, by demonstrating clear and convincing evidence of rehabilitation. The 
11.3 	regulated person is not required to prove rehabilitation if the subsequent court decision 
11.4 	overturns previous court findings of public risk.
11.5 	(c) If the board has probable cause to believe that a licensee or applicant has violated 
11.6 	paragraph (a), clause (10), it may direct the person to submit to a mental or physical 
11.7 	examination. For the purpose of this section, every person is deemed to have consented to 
11.8 	submit to a mental or physical examination when directed in writing by the board and to 
11.9 	have waived all objections to the admissibility of the examining physician's testimony or 
11.10 	examination report on the grounds that the testimony or report constitutes a privileged 
11.11 	communication. Failure of a regulated person to submit to an examination when directed 
11.12 	constitutes an admission of the allegations against the person, unless the failure was due to 
11.13 	circumstances beyond the person's control, in which case a default and final order may be 
11.14 	entered without the taking of testimony or presentation of evidence. A regulated person 
11.15 	affected under this paragraph shall at reasonable intervals be given an opportunity to 
11.16 	demonstrate that the person can resume the competent practice of the regulated profession 
11.17 	with reasonable skill and safety to the public. In any proceeding under this paragraph, 
11.18 	neither the record of proceedings nor the orders entered by the board shall be used against 
11.19 	a regulated person in any other proceeding.
11.20 	(d) In addition to ordering a physical or mental examination, the board may, 
11.21 	notwithstanding section 13.384 or 144.293, or any other law limiting access to medical or 
11.22 	other health data, obtain medical data and health records relating to a licensee or applicant 
11.23 	without the person's or applicant's consent if the board has probable cause to believe that a 
11.24 	licensee is subject to paragraph (a), clause (10). The medical data may be requested 
11.25 	from a provider as defined in section 144.291, subdivision 2, paragraph (i), an insurance 
11.26 	company, or a government agency, including the Department of Human Services. A 
11.27 	provider, insurance company, or government agency shall comply with any written request 
11.28 	of the board under this subdivision and is not liable in any action for damages for releasing 
11.29 	the data requested by the board if the data are released pursuant to a written request under 
11.30 	this subdivision, unless the information is false and the provider giving the information 
11.31 	knew, or had reason to know, the information was false. Information obtained under this 
11.32 	subdivision is private data on individuals as defined in section 13.02.
11.33 	(e) If the board issues an order of immediate suspension of a license, a hearing must 
11.34 	be held within 30 days of the suspension and completed without delay.

11.35 	Sec. 14. [153B.75] INVESTIGATION; NOTICE AND HEARINGS.
12.1 	The board has the authority to investigate alleged violations of this chapter, conduct 
12.2 	hearings, and impose corrective or disciplinary action as provided in section 214.103.

12.3 	Sec. 15. [153B.80] UNLICENSED PRACTICE.
12.4 		Subdivision 1.License required. Effective January 1, 2018, no individual shall 
12.5 	practice as an orthotist, prosthetist, prosthetist orthotist, pedorthist, orthotic or prosthetic 
12.6 	assistant, or orthotic fitter, unless the individual holds a valid license issued by the board 
12.7 	under this chapter, except as permitted under section 153B.20 or 153B.35.
12.8 		Subd. 2.Designation. No individual shall represent themselves to the public as 
12.9 	a licensed orthotist, prosthetist, prosthetist orthotist, pedorthist, orthotic or prosthetic 
12.10 	assistant, or an orthotic fitter, unless the individual is licensed under this chapter.
12.11 		Subd. 3.Penalties. Any individual who violates this section is guilty of a 
12.12 	misdemeanor. The board shall have the authority to seek a cease and desist order against 
12.13 	any individual who is engaged in the unlicensed practice of a profession regulated by the 
12.14 	board under this chapter.

12.15 	Sec. 16. [153B.85] FEES.
12.16 	(a) The application fee for initial licensure shall not exceed $600.
12.17 	(b) The biennial renewal fee for a license to practice as an orthotist, prosthetist, 
12.18 	prosthetist orthotist, or pedorthist shall not exceed $600.
12.19 	(c) The biennial renewal fee for a license to practice as an assistant or a fitter shall 
12.20 	not exceed $300.
12.21 	(d) For the first renewal period following initial licensure, the renewal fee is the fee 
12.22 	specified in paragraph (b) or (c), prorated to the nearest dollar that is represented by the 
12.23 	ratio of the number of days the license is held in the initial licensure period to 730 days.
12.24 	(e) The fee for license restoration shall not exceed $600.
12.25 	(f) The fee for late license renewal is the license renewal fee in effect at the time of 
12.26 	renewal plus $100.
12.27 	(g) The fee for license verification shall not exceed $30.
12.28 	(h) The fee to obtain a list of licensees shall not exceed $25.
12.29 	(i) No fee may be refunded for any reason.

12.30 	Sec. 17. FIRST APPOINTMENTS, FIRST MEETING, AND FIRST CHAIR OF 
12.31 	THE ORTHOTICS, PROSTHETICS, AND PEDORTHICS ADVISORY COUNCIL.
 12.32 	The Board of Podiatric Medicine shall make its first appointments authorized 
12.33 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 153B.25, to the Orthotics, Prosthetics, and Pedorthics 
13.1 	Advisory Council, by September 1, 2016. The board shall designate four of its first 
13.2 	appointees to serve terms that are coterminous with the governor. The chair of the Board 
13.3 	of Podiatric Medicine or the chair's designee shall convene the first meeting of the council 
13.4 	by November 1, 2016. The council must elect a chair from among its members at the first 
13.5 	meeting of the council.

13.6 	Sec. 18. EFFECTIVE DATE.
 13.7 	Sections 1 to 17 are effective July 1, 2016.