SENATE BILL REPORT

                            HB 1651

     AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES,

                        MARCH 22, 1993

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

SPONSORS: Representatives Anderson, Reams, Campbell, Valle, King, Pruitt and Jacobsen

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

     Signed by Senators Talmadge, Chairman; Wojahn, Vice Chairman; Deccio, Erwin, Franklin, Fraser, McAuliffe, Moyer, Niemi, Prentice, Quigley, Sheldon, L. Smith, and Winsley.

Staff:  Scott Plack (786‑7409)

Hearing Dates: March 22, 1993

BACKGROUND:

Naturopathy, formerly known as drugless healing, has been regulated by the state since 1919.  Naturopathy is the art and science of the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of disorders of the body by stimulation or support, or both, of the natural processes of the human body.  The practice of naturopathy includes manual manipulation (mechanotherapy), the prescription, administration, dispensing, and use, except for the treatment of malignancies or neoplastic disease, of nutrition and food science, physical modalities, homeopathy, certain medicines of mineral, animal, and botanical origin, hygiene and immunization, common diagnostic procedures, and suggestion.

The Department of Health administers the naturopathic licensing program.  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.

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The termination provisions of the Naturopathic Advisory Committee and the Naturopathic Licensing Act are repealed.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

The bill will allow the profession to continue practicing.  Naturopaths have undergone sunset review numerous times and it's now time to repeal the sunset and let the profession go on practicing like other mainstream health professions.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  PRO:  Dr. Patricia Hustings, Jeff Larsen, WA Assn. of Naturopathic Physicians; Dee Spice, Dept. of Health Professional Licensing Services