2013 Legislative Session draws to a close STATEHOUSE - State Representative Dave Frizzell (R-Indianapolis) is pleased to announce that the 2013 Indiana Legislative Session has successfully come to a close. A fiscally conservative, balanced budget along with three of his bills, House Enrolled Act (HEA) 1034, HEA 1242 and HEA 1464 are on their way to becoming law.
“I’m pleased with the outcome of this session and all the work that the House and Senate were able to accomplish,” said Rep. Frizzell. “Keeping the well-being of Hoosiers in the forefront of all legislation led to good ideas, much collaboration and a solid foundation to help Indiana continue growing and thriving.”
HEA 1034 allows a physical therapist to evaluate and treat a patient without a referral by their general physician or chiropractor for 24 days or less. If the patient requires physical therapy for more than 24 days, then the physical therapist must obtain a referral. HEA 1034 gives a patient a more direct role in their healthcare decisions, effectively lowering healthcare costs and potentially expanding the physical therapy job market in Indiana.
HEA 1242 creates the Diabetes Educators Board (DEB) and requires the licensure of diabetes educators. This ensures that patients receive accurate, important information pertaining to their disease. Doctors will be able to refer patients to a diabetes educator with the knowledge that the educator has been licensed through the state and will provide correct medical information to the patients.
“Diabetes is an epidemic in Indiana,” Rep. Frizzell said. “Having a thorough education is necessary for diabetes patients to adequately manage their disease, and requiring licensure provides a basic standard for that education.”
HEA 1464 adds immunizations for pneumonia, tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap), human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, and meningitis to the immunizations that a pharmacist, or pharmacist intern or pharmacist student under the direct supervision of a pharmacist, is allowed to administer under a drug order, under a prescription, or according to a protocol approved by a physician if certain requirements are met. It also establishes the Interim Study Committee on Adult and Children Immunization Issues.
Other bills Rep. Frizzell authored, co-authored, sponsored and co-sponsored that have been signed into law include:
• HEA 1105 – anatomic pathology services
• HEA 1080 – pension thirteenth checks
• HEA 1135 – midwives
• HEA 1137 - IURC review of extraterritorial water rates
• HEA 1186 – incorporation of towns
• HEA 1307 – extra territorial utility rates and charges
• HEA 1374 – customer-generator facilities
• SEA 1 – school resource officers
• SEA 94 – electric transmission owners
• SEA 203 – protection and advocacy services commission
• SEA 263 – faith-based and community initiatives foundation
• SEA 265 - health care provider peer review committees
• SEA 319 – soil productivity factors
• SEA 372 – youth athletic concussions
• SEA 415 – department of health matters
• SEA 530 – schedule for electronic benefits transfers
• SEA 589 – occupational licensing issues
• SEA 621 – local government issues
“The well-being of Hoosiers is my biggest concern, whether it’s physically, economically, mentally or educationally,” Rep. Frizzell said. “I am honored to serve my community and will continue to do my best to make sure Indiana is a great place to live, work and raise a family.”
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State Rep. Dave Frizzell serves as the Majority Whip for the House. He also serves on the Family Children and Human Affairs Committee, the Public Health Committee and the Utilities and Energy Committee. Rep. Frizzell represents a portions of Marion and Johnson counties.
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