HOUSE BILL REPORT

SSB 5219

As Amended by the House

BYSenate Committee on Human Services & Corrections (originally sponsored by Senators Williams, Johnson, Kreidler, Kiskaddon and Conner)

Regulating naturopathic physicians.

House Committe on Health Care

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (9)

      Signed by Representatives Braddock, Chair; Day, Vice Chair; Bristow, Bumgarner, Cantwell, Lewis, D. Sommers, Sprenkle and Vekich.

House Staff:John Welsh (786-7133)

AS PASSED HOUSE APRIL 17, 1987

BACKGROUND:

In 1983, the legislature placed the regulation of drugless healing (naturopathy) under the Sunset Act for review, terminating the 1919 practice act as of June 30, 1987 and repealing it as of June 30, 1988.

The Legislative Budget Committee in its review has recommended the continuation of the licensure program.  The practice of drugless healing was initially authorized and regulated by the legislature in 1919.  Now known as naturopathy, the archaic provisions are very much out of date and no longer accord with existing modes of practice.

Drugless healing (naturopathy) involves a number of physical and mental treatments which seek to stimulate the natural curative processes of the human body.  The practice includes food science, suggestion, mechanotherapy, exercise and other treatments.

SUMMARY:

A new Naturopathic Practice Act is enacted, effective January 1, 1988, and the existing drugless healing law is repealed.

No person may practice naturopathy or represent himself or herself as a naturopath or doctor of naturopathic medicine without qualifying and being licensed by the director of the Department of Licensing.  Naturopathy consists of the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the body by stimulation of the natural processes of the human body.  It includes the use of nutrition and food science, manual manipulation (mechanotherapy), medicines of mineral, animal and botanic origin (excluding legend drugs and controlled substances), common diagnostic procedures, suggestion, non-invasive physical modalities (such as therapeutic exercise and massage), hygiene and immunization.

Manual manipulation is included in the practice until June 30, 1988, and the legislature is to study whether the practice should be continued or modified and report before December 15, 1987. The requirement of 200 post-graduate hours in the study of mechanotherapy expires on June 30, 1989.

Exemption from licensure is provided for persons already licensed as other health professionals, U.S. government employees, naturopathic students and for persons rendering dietary advice.

The director of Licensing is given administrative authority to examine applicants for licensure, to issue licenses, to determine minimum educational qualifications and experience, set fees and act as the disciplinary authority under the Uniform Disciplinary Act.  A Washington State Naturopathic Advisory Committee of five members, appointed by the director for four-year terms, is established to advise the director on the administration of the program.

The qualifications for applicants for licensure include the completion of a doctoral degree in naturopathy or equivalent training, completion of an examination and good moral character.

The director has authority to adopt rules establishing reciprocity procedures, approval of educational programs and renewal of licenses.

The Uniform Disciplinary Act governs the disciplinary procedures under the chapter.

The advisory committee is scheduled for Sunset review and termination on June 30, 1993 and 1994 respectively.

Existing provisions of the drugless healing act are repealed.

Fiscal Note:      Attached

Effective Date:Section 24 contains an emergency clause and the repeal of the 1987,1988 Sunset termination dates take effect June 30, 1987.  The rest of the bill takes effect January 1, 1988.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Dick Barrett, Naturopathic Physicians.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    The practice of drugless healing was initially authorized and regulated by the legislature in 1919.  Now known as naturopathy, the archaic provisions are very much out of date and no longer coincide with actual practice.  But the new scope of practice appears to infringe upon other practices, such as chiropractic medicine, physical therapy, massage and acupuncture and need to be studied during the interim.  Another year for working out the problems in the bill is needed.  The practice of naturopathy, an alternative form of health care, has much value and many devoted patients who attest to its value.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.