BILL ANALYSIS �
SB 628
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Date of Hearing: June 12, 2012
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS, PROFESSIONS AND CONSUMER
PROTECTION
Mary Hayashi, Chair
SB 628 (Yee) - As Amended: May 31, 2012
SENATE VOTE : (vote not relevant)
SUBJECT : Acupuncture: regulation.
SUMMARY : Codifies an existing regulation promulgated by the
Acupuncture Board (Board) related to an acupuncturist's
permitted use of the title "Doctor". Specifically, this bill
states that is unprofessional conduct for an acupuncturist to
use the title "Doctor" or "Dr." in the following instances:
In connection with the practice of acupuncture unless he or
she holds a license authorizing its use, or an earned
doctorate degree from an accredited, approved, or authorized
educational institution under the California Private
Postsecondary Education Act of 2009 in acupuncture, oriental
medicine, a biological science, or field otherwise related to
the practice of an acupuncturist authorized in the Acupuncture
Licensure Act (Act); or,
Without indicating the type of license or degree which
authorizes its use.
EXISTING LAW :
1) Establishes the Board within the Department of Consumer
Affairs, which licenses and regulates the acupuncture
profession pursuant to the Act.
2) Provides that the Board shall establish standards for the
approval of schools and colleges offering education and
training in the practice of acupuncture, including standards
for the faculty in those schools and colleges, and tutorial
programs.
3) Defines an acupuncturist as an individual who has been
licensed to practice acupuncture pursuant to the Act.
Defines acupuncture as the stimulation of a certain point or
points on or near the surface of the body by the insertion of
SB 628
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needles to prevent or modify the perception of pain or to
normalize physiological functions, including pain control,
for the treatment of certain diseases or dysfunctions of the
body, and includes the techniques of electroacupuncture,
cupping, and moxibustion.
FISCAL EFFECT : Unknown
COMMENTS :
Purpose of this bill . According to the author's office, "SB 628
will place in statute the existing regulation governing the use
of "Doctor of Acupuncture" promulgated by the Board. By placing
this regulation in statute, the Legislature and the Governor
will be able to help determine the next steps in the current
efforts to �expand the] educational doctorate in Acupuncture.
This legislation will help improve the quality of acupuncture in
California."
Background . Existing law provides that the Board shall
establish standards for the approval of schools and colleges
offering education and training in the practice of acupuncture,
including standards for the faculty in those schools and
colleges, and tutorial programs. The Board has already
promulgated regulations relating to an acupuncturist's permitted
use of the title "Doctor". This bill codifies those
regulations.
Support . According to the California Acupuncture Medical
Association, "This bill would raise the status of acupuncture in
the State of California by encouraging acupuncturists with only
a Master's degree to go back to school for advanced studies."
According to the New Life Healing Center, "The California
Acupuncture profession and California acupuncture schools have
been working hard to raise up the Acupuncture education standard
in California for the past 15 years by encouraging licensed
acupuncturists to go back to school for advanced studies and
raising school education requirements. We are very proud to see
the profession approaching the doctorate entry level in the near
future. The passage of SB 628 not only benefits the Acupuncture
professional title status, but will benefit the public interest
for patients and consumers."
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
SB 628
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Support
California Acupuncture Medical Association
California Communities United Institute
California TCM University Alumni Association
Council of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Association
Korean Herb Research Association
New American Oriental & Western Medicine Academy
New Life Healing Center
Opposition
None on file.
Analysis Prepared by : Joanna Gin / B.,P. & C.P. / (916)
319-3301