Senate adopts committee substitute to modernize Kentucky podiatry laws, adds residency and supervision rules

Senate Bill 18, amended by Senate Committee Substitute 1, was adopted and passed by the Kentucky Senate on Feb. 6, 2026. The committee substitute was adopted by voice vote before the sponsor outlined changes intended to modernize podiatric practice and training.

Senator from Christian described the bill as updating Kentucky’s podiatry laws to reflect current practice: it recognizes pediatric assistants and pediatric residents in statute, gives the state board of podiatry explicit authority to license and regulate those roles, and allows podiatrists to supervise physician assistants with the supervision approved by both the Board of Medical Licensure and the Board of Podiatry. The sponsor said the bill would require new podiatrists beginning in 2027 to complete at least two years of residency training to align Kentucky with national standards and included a supervision limit of four physician assistants per supervising podiatrist.

Supporters argued the bill would improve access to foot-and-ankle care—especially for patients with diabetes—and free doctors to focus on complex surgeries while PAs provide screenings, wound care and preventive treatment. The committee substitute also strengthened the board’s disciplinary authority over members of the podiatric care team, according to floor remarks.

The clerk called the roll and the presiding officer announced 32 yay votes and no nay votes; Senate Bill 18 as amended was passed.

Ending note: The bill modernizes licensing and supervision rules for podiatric care; the transcript reports the sponsor’s intent and vote outcome but does not include text of the committee substitute excerpted on the floor.