ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-sixth Legislature

Second Regular Session

Senate: HHS DPA 7-0-0-0 | 3rd Read DPA 20-8-2-0

House: RA DP 7-0-0-0


SB 1163: homeopathic medicine; qualifications

Sponsor: Senator Shamp, LD 29

House Engrossed

Overview

Modifies the requirements by which the Board of Homeopathic and Integrated Medicine Examiners (Board) may license an applicant. Replaces the Executive Director of the Board with the Executive Director of the Acupuncture Board of Examiners.

History

The Board licenses and regulates medical physicians who practice homeopathic and integrated medicine, a system of medical treatment based on the use of small quantities of remedies which in larger doses produce symptoms of the disease. This agency is one of several housed within the Arizona Department of Administration Central Services Bureau (A.R.S. §§ 32-2901, 32-2904).

The Board must grant a license to practice homeopathic medicine to an applicant who: 1) holds a degree from an approved school of medicine or has received an equivalent medical education; 2) holds a license to practice medicine as a medical or osteopathic physician in Arizona or is licensed in another state, district  or territory of the United States; and 3) meets specified criteria relating to the applicant's professional record. However, an applicant may also be licensed as a homeopath without holding a license as a medical or osteopathic physician if the applicant meets all other requirements (A.R.S. 32-2912).

The Joint Legislative Budget Committee fiscal note presumes S.B. 1163 will result in additional licensing fee revenues for the Board, 10 percent of which is deposited into the state General Fund. However, the magnitude of this impact cannot be determined in advance, as it is unknown how many newly eligible individuals will apply for licensure (JLBC).

Provisions

1.   Removes the requirement that the Board:

a)   elect a secretary-treasurer;

b)   include the signatures of Board members with the Board's seal as evidence of its official acts; and

c) appoint an Executive Director. (Sec. 2, 3, 4)

2.   Directs the Board to meet with the Acupuncture Board of Examiners each January to set financial compensation for staff and operating expense sharing. (Sec. 3)

3.   Eliminates the ability of the Board to appoint a temporary secretary to perform the duties of the Executive Director if that office is vacant. (Sec. 3)

4.   Requires the Executive Director of the Acupuncture Board of Examiners to serve as the Executive Director of the Board. (Sec. 4)

5.   Instructs the staff of the Acupuncture Board of Examiners to carry out the administrative responsibilities of the Board. (Sec. 4)

6.   Requires the Executive Director of the Board to perform all administrative duties of the Board and employ personnel necessary to carry out Board functions. (Sec. 4)

7.   Directs the Board to issue a license to an applicant who meets specified requirements and who either:

a)   holds a degree from an approved school of medicine; or

b)   has completed an approved training program. (Sec. 5)

8.   Adds that the Board must issue a license without examination to an applicant that holds, or has passed the examination to hold, a certification from the Council for Homeopathic Certification or its equivalent. (Sec. 6)

9.   Removes the specification that a notification pertaining to license renewal must be sent via first class mail. (Sec. 8)

10.  Includes personal email address and work email address in the list of information a licensee must share with the Board. (Sec. 9)

11.  Adds the term homeopathic practitioner to the following violations:

a)   practicing medicine without being licensed or exempt from licensure; and

b)   self-designating under a specified title without being licensed as such. (Sec. 11)

12.  Specifies which titles can be used for the different types of licenses and graduation requirements. (Sec. 12)

13.  Authorizes the Board to adopt abbreviations for the titles listed in statute. (Sec. 12)

14.  ☐ Prop 105 (45 votes)	     ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes)      ☐ Emergency (40 votes)	☒ Fiscal NoteDefines approved training program. (Sec. 1)

15.  Makes technical and conforming changes. (Sec. 1-9, 11-14)

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19.                    SB 1163

20.  Initials IG Page 0 House Engrossed

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