BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    �




                   Senate Appropriations Committee Fiscal Summary
                           Senator Christine Kehoe, Chair

                                          SB 352 (Huff)
          
          Hearing Date: 1/19/12           Amended: 1/11/12
          Consultant: Jennifer Douglas    Policy Vote: BP&ED 7-0
          _________________________________________________________________
          ____
          BILL SUMMARY: SB 352 would specify that the practice of 
          chiropractic does not include the treatment of hypersensitivity 
          to foods, medications, environmental allergens, or venoms, 
          including, but not limited to, the use of laser therapy, and 
          would prohibit a chiropractor from advertising that he or she 
          provides such services.  A violation of these provisions would 
          constitute cause for discipline by the State Board of 
          Chiropractic Examiners.
          _________________________________________________________________
          ____
                            Fiscal Impact (in thousands)

           Major Provisions         2012-13      2013-14       2014-15     Fund
           Investigation of Chiropractic     Unknown, likely minor 
          annuallySpecial*
            Act violations       

          Ballot pamphlet                   One-time costs of     
          Generalapproximately $264                     
          *Chiropractic Examiners Fund
          _________________________________________________________________
          ____

          STAFF COMMENTS: SUSPENSE FILE
          

          The Board of Chiropractic Examiners (board) protects California 
          consumers from fraudulent, negligent, or incompetent practice of 
          chiropractic care.  The board ensures that providers are 
          adequately trained and meet recognized standards of performance 
          for treatment and practice.  The board uses licensing, 
          continuing education, and disciplinary procedures to maintain 
          those standards.  It also reviews complaints and investigates 
          possible violations of the Chiropractic Act and regulations.


          This bill specifies that the practice of chiropractic does not 








          SB 352 (Huff)
          Page 1


          include the treatment of allergies.  Preliminary information 
          indicates that the Board has not received any formal consumer 
          complaints concerning the treatment of allergies by a 
          chiropractor and that as a result, it appears expanding the Act 
          to include this violation would not result in significant new 
          investigation and enforcement costs.


          Because the Chiropractic Initiative Act was adopted by citizen 
          initiative an amendment to the Act may require voter approval 
          which could result in costs of $264,000.  The printing and 
          mailing costs associated with placing a measure on the statewide 
          ballot are approximately $66,000 per page.  The estimate noted 
          above reflects four ballot pages for an initiative. 


          Staff notes that the board has promulgated regulations that 
          would clarify the chiropractic scope of practice pertaining to 
          allergy treatments and the use of laser treatments.  The board 
          estimates enactment within six months.