SB 1329 - This act establishes the "Naturopathic Physician Practice Act" which provides licensure for naturopathic physicians. The act establishes the Board of Naturopathic Medicine ("Board"). The Board shall consist of five members as follows: three naturopathic physician members, one physician member, and one public member. The Board shall oversee the licensure of naturopathic physicians, enforce the provisions of this act, set the amount of fees, set continuing education requirements, and adopt rules related to the administration of this act. Naturopathic physician licensees may practice naturopathic medicine to provide primary care in performing physical examinations, clinical laboratory procedures, and minor office procedures; ordering laboratory examinations and diagnostic imaging studies; interpreting the results of laboratory examinations; prescribing, administering, dispensing, and ordering food, food extracts, nutraceuticals, vitamins, amino acids, minerals, enzymes, botanicals, homeopathic medicines, human cellular and tissue-based products, dietary supplements, nonprescription drugs, all legend drugs within Schedule III, IV, and V, and durable medical equipment and devices; using therapeutic devices and contraception devices; providing biofeedback, neurofeedback, and health care counseling, nutritional counseling, and dietary therapy; and other care as described in the act.
Naturopathic physician licensees shall not perform certain surgical procedures that are outside of minor office procedures, including laser surgery, surgery involving certain areas of the body beyond superficial tissue, and abortions; use anesthetics; administer ionizing radioactive substances for therapeutic purposes; treat a malignant lesion; nor perform chiropractic adjustments.
A licensee shall refer to a licensed physician any patient whose medical condition should be determined to be beyond the scope of practice of the licensee. Naturopathic physician licensees shall display a license and completion of an approved medical education program in a clearly visible location that is accessible to the licensee's patients. Any person seeking to practice as a naturopathic physician shall take and pass required examinations. A licensee has the exclusive right to use terms such as "naturopathic physician", "naturopathic doctor", "doctor of naturopathic medicine", "N.D.","ND", "N.M.D.", and "NMD".
Additionally, the Board may renew or refuse to renew a license as specified in the act. The Board shall notify applicants or licensees in writing of a refusal to issue, renew, or reinstate any license. Additionally, the act specifies causes for disciplinary actions against a licensee. Any individual, organization, association or corporation who reports or provides information regarding complaints against licensees and who does so in good faith and without negligence shall not be subject to an action for civil damages as a result thereof.
This act is similar to SB 322 (2023), SB 1197 (2022), and SB 1213 (2006).
KATIE O'BRIEN