ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Fifty-fifth Legislature First Regular Session
	Senate: HHS DP 7-0-1-0 | 3^rd Read 30-0-0-0 House: HHS DP 9-0-0-0

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SB 1255: acupuncture board; members; auricular acupuncture

Sponsor:  Senator Barto, LD 15

Caucus & Cow

Overview

Modifies the Acupuncture Board of Examiners (Board) membership and allows the Board to issue acupuncture detoxification specialist certificates, rather than auricular acupuncture certificates.

History

Under current law, the following members are appointed to the Board by the governor: 1) four licensed acupuncturists who have practiced in Arizona for at least three years; 2) three consumers who are not employed in the health profession and do not have interests in a medical school or health care institution; and 3) two members who qualify under prescribed licensure requirements (A.R.S § 32- 3902). Board members must be residents of Arizona for at least three years immediately preceding their appointment. The Board must: 1) initiate investigation and take disciplinary actions; 2) evaluate qualifications of applicants and issue licenses; 3) adopt and use a seal to authenticate official board documents; 4) establish fees; and 5) adopt rules for clinical training (A.R.S § 32-3903).

Current statute defines auricular acupuncture as the application of acupuncture needles to the pinna, lobe or auditory meatus to treat alcoholism, substance abuse or chemical dependency. In order to receive certification in this practice a person must: 1) provide documentation of successfully completing a board-approved training program in acupuncture for the treatment of alcoholism, substance abuse or chemical dependency; 2) provide documentation of successfully completing a board-approved clean needle technique course; 3) submit prescribed application and fees; 4) submit a full set of fingerprints; and 5) disclose all other active and past professional health care licenses and certificates (A.R.S § 32-3922).

Provisions

1. Modifies Board membership requirements as follows:

a) Through January 16, 2022, four members who are licensed to practice acupuncture and who have practiced in Arizona or any state for at least one year, rather than three years;

b) Through January 17, 2022, three consumers who meet specified requirements and two members who meet specified health care licensure requirements;

c) Beginning January 17, 2022, one member who is certified or licensed to practice auricular acupuncture or acupuncture;

d) Beginning January 20, 2022, three members who are licensed to practice acupuncture and have practiced in Arizona or any state for at least one year;

e) Beginning January 18, 2022, three members who are not employed in a health profession, do not have any interest in a school of medicine or health care institution and demonstrate an interest in Arizona health issues; and

f) Beginning January 18, 2022, one member who meets specified licensure requirements. (Sec. 2)

2. Removes language stating that initial appointees do not need to be licensed at the time of selection but must meet all licensure qualifications. (Sec. 2)

3. Reduces the Board member residency requirement from three years to one year. (Sec. 2)

4. Requires the Board to meet in January of each year to elect a Vice Chairperson, rather than a secretary. (Sec. 2)

5. Allows the Board to issue an acupuncture detoxification specialist certificate, rather than auricular acupuncture certificates, to a person who practices auricular acupuncture for the purpose of treating alcoholism, substance abuse, trauma or chemical dependency. (Sec. 3)

6. Removes program specifications under which a certified acupuncture detoxification specialist may practice. (Sec. 3)

7. Instructs an auricular acupuncturist to obtain a signed informed consent that has been approved by the Board from the patient before beginning treatment. (Sec. 3)

8. Directs a licensee to submit to the Board, upon request rather than with renewal application, satisfactory documentation of the successful completion of at least 15 hours of continued education each year. (Sec. 4)

9. Defines trauma. (Sec. 1)

10. Expands the definition of auricular acupuncture to include the treatment of trauma. (Sec. 3)

11. Makes technical and conforming changes. (Sec. 1-4)

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                  SB 1255

Initials EB/SF        Page 0 Caucus & COW

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