ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Fifty-fifth Legislature Second Regular Session
	Senate: HHS DPA 8-0-0-0 | 3^rd Read 29-0-1-0 House: HHS DP 9-0-0-0 | 3^rd Read 54-3-3-0

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SB 1088: physicians; naturopathic medicine

Sponsor: Senator Barto, LD 15

Transmitted to the Governor

Overview

Expands the list of services a naturopathic physician and osteopathic physician may perform and classifies an assault against a naturopathic physician as an aggravated assault.

History

The mission of the Naturopathic Physicians Medical Board is to protect the public through regulation of the practice of naturopathic medicine. The practice of naturopathic medicine is described as a medical system of diagnosing and treating diseases, injuries, ailments, infirmities and other conditions of the human mind and body, including by natural means, drugs, nonsurgical methods, devices, physical, electrical, hygienic and sanitary measures and all forms of physical agents and modalities.

Qualifications for a naturopathic medicine license include: 1) Being a graduate of an approved school of naturopathic medicine; 2) Completing an approved internship, preceptorship or clinical training program in naturopathic medicine; 3) Having a good moral and professional reputation; 4) Being physically and mentally fit to practice as a doctor of naturopathic medicine; 5) Not be guilty of any act of unprofessional conduct or any other conduct that would be grounds for refusal, suspension or revocation of a license; 6) Not having any professional license refused, revoked or suspended; and 7) Filing a completed application and meeting examination requirements (A.R.S. §§ 32-1501 and 32-1522).

The primary duty of the Arizona Board of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons is to protect the public from unlawful, incompetent, unqualified, impaired or unprofessional practitioners of osteopathic medicine. It regulates licensed Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine, osteopathic interns and residents receiving post graduate training in Arizona hospitals and clinics (A.R.S. § 32-1803).

Provisions

1. Deems an assault committed against a naturopathic physician as an aggravated assault. (Sec. 1)

2. Modifies the definition of health care provider to include naturopathic physicians in the list of licensed health professionals able to remove or provide clearance to a pupil who has sustained or is suspected to sustain a concussion or other head related injury. (Sec. 2)

3. Adds naturopathic physicians and osteopathic physicians to the list of health professionals a peace officer can secure to test the blood alcohol concentration of a deceased individual involved in an auto-related death if a county medical examiner has not been appointed.      (Sec. 3)

4. Permits a naturopathic physician to provide written attestation, for an individual applying for exemption from laws prohibiting the placement of materials over vehicle windshields and windows, that the individual is medically required to be shielded from the direct rays of the sun. (Sec. 4)

5. Modifies the definition of health care provider to include naturopathic physicians regarding health care facility billing. (Sec. 5)

6. Exempts a naturopathic physician providing services within their scope of practice to a vulnerable adult whose life or death is endangered or injured by neglect, abuse or exploitation from civil liability unless at the time of the events giving rise to a cause of action the person was a licensed naturopathic physician and the primary provider for the patient. (Sec. 6)

7. Makes technical and conforming changes. (Sec. 2-6 )

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11.                   SB 1088

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