What's happening
This bill expands the scope of dietetics and nutrition practice to include alternative and complementary approaches and adds "certified nutrition specialist" as an authorized title.
Why it matters
Broadens professional practice. By explicitly including "alternative and complementary" scientific principles in dietetics and nutrition, the bill grants practitioners more flexibility to integrate holistic, non-traditional, or integrative health approaches, responding to growing public interest in these modalities.
Expands access and choice for consumers. Patients and clients could see a wider range of dietary and nutritional strategies offered, potentially including therapies not previously recognized under state law, which may align better with individual beliefs or health needs.
Elevates professional recognition. Adding "certified nutrition specialist" as an authorized title acknowledges a credential recognized by national organizations, potentially attracting a broader pool of highly trained professionals to practice in New York and increasing consumer trust.
Legal clarity and updated standards. The amendments help clarify what certified dietitians, nutritionists, and now certified nutrition specialists are permitted to do, reducing ambiguity for practitioners and employers, and ensuring state law keeps pace with evolving nutrition science and practice.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Broaden Nutrition Practice Methods
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
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History
- Referred to higher education
- Referred to higher education
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
184
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY (Prefiled)
January 9, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. CAHILL -- read once and referred to the Committee on Higher Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to including the alternative and complementary integration and application of scientific principles in the scope of the practice of dietetics and nutrition
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 8001 of the education law, as added by chapter 635 of the laws of 1991, is amended to read as follows:
§ 8001. Definitions. 1. Dietetics and nutrition are herein each defined as the integration and application of principles derived from the sciences of nutrition, biochemistry, physiology, food management and behavioral and social sciences, including the alternative and complementary integration and application of such principles, to achieve and maintain people's health and for healing.
2. Where the title "certified dietitian" or "certified nutritionist" is used in this article it shall mean "certified dietitian", "certified dietician", [or] "certified nutritionist", or "certified nutrition specialist".
3. A certified dietitian or certified nutritionist is one who engages in the integration and application of principles derived from the sciences of nutrition, biochemistry, physiology, food management and behavioral and social sciences, including the alternative and complementary integration and application of such principles, to achieve and maintain people's health and for healing, and who is certified as such by the department pursuant to section eight thousand four of this article. The primary function of a certified dietitian or certified nutritionist is the provision of nutrition care services that shall include:
(a) Assessing nutrition needs and food patterns;
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00235-01-9
A. 184 2
(b) Planning for and directing the provision of food appropriate for physical and nutrition needs; [and]
(c) Providing nutrition counseling[.]; and
(d) Using nutrition in healing.
§ 2. Section 8002 of the education law, as added by chapter 635 of the laws of 1991, is amended to read as follows:
§ 8002. Use of titles. Only a person certified under this article shall be authorized to use the title "certified dietitian", "certified dietician", [or] "certified nutritionist", or "certified nutrition specialist".
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.