HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1651

                       As Passed House

                       March 11, 1993

Title:  An act relating to removing the termination provisions for naturopathy.

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

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

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

State Government, March 2, 1993, DP;

  Passed House, March 11, 1993, 98-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 9 members:  Representatives Anderson, Chair; Veloria, Vice Chair; Reams, Ranking Minority Member; Vance, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Campbell; Conway; Dyer; King; and Pruitt.

Staff:  Bonnie Austin (786-7135).

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 of Bill:  The termination provisions of the Naturopathic Advisory Committee and the naturopathic licensing act are repealed.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  This program has undergone several different sunset reviews.  These are primary care family physicians with limited prescription authority.  It is clear that the public safety is served by the licensure program.  The Department of Health does not object to removing the sunset provisions.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Dr. Patricia Hastings, Washington Association of Naturopathic Physicians (pro); and Jeff Larsen, Washington Association of Naturopathic Physicians (pro).