BILL NUMBER: AB 1889	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Fong

                        FEBRUARY 22, 2012

   An act to amend Section 3209.3 of the Labor Code, relating to
workers' compensation.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 1889, as introduced, Fong. Workers' compensation:
acupuncturists.
   Existing workers' compensation law generally requires employers to
secure the payment of workers' compensation, including medical
treatment, for injuries incurred by their employees that arise out
of, or in the course of, employment. Existing law prohibits an
acupuncturist, as defined, from being authorized to determine
disability for certain purposes relating to workers' compensation
disability payments and benefits.
   This bill would delete this prohibition. The bill would also make
technical changes.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 3209.3 of the Labor Code is amended to read:
   3209.3.  (a)  "Acupuncturist" means a person who holds an
acupuncturist's certificate issued pursuant to Chapter 12 (commencing
with Section 4925) of Division 2 of the Business and Professions
Code. 
    (b)  "Physician" includes physicians and surgeons
holding an M.D. or D.O. degree, psychologists, acupuncturists,
optometrists, dentists, podiatrists, and chiropractic practitioners
licensed by California state law and within the scope of their
practice as defined by California state law. 
   (b) 
    (c)  "Psychologist" means a licensed psychologist with a
doctoral degree in psychology, or a doctoral degree deemed
equivalent for licensure by the Board of Psychology pursuant to
Section 2914 of the Business and Professions Code, and who either has
at least two years of clinical experience in a recognized health
setting or has met the standards of the National Register of the
Health Service Providers in Psychology. 
   (c)
    (d)  When treatment or evaluation for an injury is
provided by a psychologist, provision shall be made for appropriate
medical collaboration when requested by the employer or the insurer.

   (d) "Acupuncturist" means a person who holds an acupuncturis's
certificate issued pursuant to Chapter 12 (commencing with Section
4925) of Division 2 of the Business Code.  
   (e) Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize
acupuncturists to determine disability for the purposes of Article 3
(commencing with Section 4650) of Chapter 2 of Part 2, or under
Section 2708 of the Unemployment Insurance Code.