FINAL BILL REPORT

                  HB 1651

                     Synopsis as Enacted

                          C 90 L 93

Brief Description:  Removing the sunset provisions from the naturopathy statutes.

By Representatives Anderson, Reams, Campbell, Valle, King, Pruitt and Jacobsen.

House Committee on State Government

Senate Committee on Health & Human Services

Background:  Naturopathy, formerly known as drugless healing, has been regulated by the state since 1919.  In 1986, the Legislative Budget Committee conducted a review and recommended updating the drugless healing act.  In 1987, the Legislature revised the naturopathic licensing laws and created a five-member Naturopathic Advisory Committee to advise the Department of Licensing on program administration.  In 1989, the Legislature transferred administration of naturopathic licensing to the Department of Health.

The Department of Health currently administers the naturopathic licensing program.  No person may practice naturopathy, or represent himself or herself as a naturopath or "doctor of naturopathic medicine," without a license from the Department of Health.  Licensees are subject to the Uniform Disciplinary Act.

The Naturopathic Advisory Committee is scheduled to terminate on June 30, 1994.  The naturopathic licensing act is scheduled to terminate on June 30, 1995.

Summary:  The termination provisions of the Naturopathic Advisory Committee and the naturopathic licensing act are repealed.

Votes on Final Passage:

House  98 0

Senate 45 0

Effective:  July 25, 1993