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History
- Print number 4917a
- Amend (t) and recommit to higher education
- Referred to higher education
- Referred to higher education
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Regulates the practice of naturopathic medicine
In Assembly Committee · Higher Education · Sponsor Felix Ortiz
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, the limited liability company law, the partnership law and the public health law, in relation to the practice of naturopathy; to amend the social services law, in relation to the reporting of child abuse; and providing for the repeal of certain provisions upon expiration thereof
Purpose
The bill relates to the licensure and regulation of naturopathic doctors to practice medicine in New York State.
Summary of provisions
A new article 138 is added to the education law to establish naturopathic doctors as licensed professionals in New York State which includes section 6850 through 6862 that provides for boundaries of professional competence; a state board for naturopathic medicine; qualifications for licensure; exemptions; limited residence permits; and mandatory continuing education. The bill also amends various sections of the limited liability company law, the partnership law, and the social services law as noted below.
Read the full memo (665 words)
Section 1. Establishes the bill's legislative intent.
Section 2. Amends education law by adding a new article 138 (sections 6850 and 6862)
Section 3. Amends section 1203 of the limited liability company law.
Section 4. Amends section 1207 of the limited liability company law.
Section 5. Amends section 1301 of the limited liability company law.
Section 6. Amends section 121-1500 of the partnership law.
Section 7. Amends section 121-1502 of the partnership law.
Section 8. Amends section 413 of the social services law.
Justification
New York State lacks existing laws in relation to state licensure for the practice naturopathic medicine. Anyone may lay claim as a naturopathic doctor, including those who complete a home study course in as little as six weeks. The licensure of naturopathic physicians in New York will offer the public the option of choosing qualified naturopaths who perform important components of complementary and integrative medicine and who provide care what is not currently offered by other licenses physicians. Providing for the licensure of naturopathic doctors will also allow for the creation of educational institutions in New York State for the purpose of training naturopathic doctors.
Currently, 17 states have licensing and regulation laws for naturopathic doctors, including Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, Washing State as well as the United States territories of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
Licensed naturopathic physicians' scope of practice is defined by state laws and require annual state-mandated continuing educational requirements. The educational requirements for a licensed naturopathic doctor include a Doctoral diploma from a registered school of naturopathic medicine, completion of an approved clinical postgraduate residency training, five years of clinical supervision and the passage of a national medical examination.
Chronic diseases - such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, stroke and arthritis - are the leading causes of disability and death in New York State and throughout the United States. More than 40% of New York adults suffer from a chronic disease and chronic diseases are responsible for 23% of all hospitalizations in New York State. Six out of every 10 deaths in New York State are caused by chronic diseases. Heart disease and cancer account for over half of all deaths in New York State. Although common and costly, many chronic diseases are also preventable. When we consider the increasing rate of chronic diseases and the lack of licensed practitioners to adequately address them in New York State, providing state licensure for naturopathic doctors is a critical step in the future of better health for New Yorkers.
Legislative history
2013-14 S.4828/A.7860; 2011-2 S.1803D; 2009-10 S1930/A.1370; 2007-08 S.2790/A.4966; 2005-06 S.1617/A.5208; 2003-04 S.6609/A.10819
Fiscal implications
All costs associated with the licensure of this new profession would be recovered through filing and registration fees.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the five hundred fortieth day after it shall have become law, provided that specific sections shall take effect as provided for in Section 11 of this bill.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.