What's happening
This bill requires New York physicians to complete six hours of department-approved nutrition training every two years, with certain exemptions.
Why it matters
Aims to increase physicians’ competence in nutrition as a tool for preventing and treating chronic diseases. , potentially changing how doctors approach conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease by emphasizing evidence-based dietary interventions.
Specifies that training must include plant-based nutrition and clinically proven methods. , which could shift medical advice toward more health-promoting diets and away from outdated or industry-influenced nutrition guidance.
Prohibits nutrition coursework funded by commercial food production interests. , aiming to keep training unbiased and rooted in science rather than influenced by food industry marketing, which may improve the quality and credibility of medical nutrition advice.
Provides exemptions for physicians not engaged in direct patient care, consultation, or not residing in New York. , balancing the mandate by reducing burden on those whose roles are unlikely to benefit from such training, while still targeting those who directly influence patient health.
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History
- Referred to higher education
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
9571
IN ASSEMBLY
January 24, 2020
Introduced by M. of A. L. ROSENTHAL -- read once and referred to the Committee on Higher Education
AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to physician coursework or training in nutrition
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The public health law is amended by adding a new section 264 to read as follows:
§ 264. Coursework or training in nutrition. (a) Every physician practicing in the state shall, on or before July first, two thousand twenty-three and every two years thereafter, complete six hours of coursework or training, developed or approved by the department regarding nutrition, which shall include but not be limited to plant-based nutrition and other clinically proven methods for the prevention, reversal, and treatment of diet-related illnesses. (b) Every physician must provide the department documentation demonstrating the completion of and competence in the coursework or training required under subdivision (a) of this section.
(c) The department shall provide an exemption for the requirements imposed by subdivision (a) of this section to anyone who requests such exemption and who: (i) does not engage in direct patient care; (ii) does not provide patient consultations; or (iii) does not reside in the state of New York.
(d) The department shall consult with organizations representative of professions, institutions and those with expertise in nutrition and the prevention, reversal, and treatment of diet-related illnesses with respect to the regulatory standards promulgated pursuant to this section. Coursework or training funded directly or indirectly by commercial food production entities or their trade organizations shall not satisfy the requirements of this section.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD14555-01-9
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.