BILL ANALYSIS �
SB 1239
Page 1
SENATE THIRD READING
SB 1239 (Price)
As Amended April 16, 2012
Majority vote
SENATE VOTE :38-0
BUSINESS & PROFESSIONS 9-0 APPROPRIATIONS 17-0
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|Ayes:|Hayashi, Bill Berryhill, |Ayes:|Gatto, Harkey, |
| |Allen, Butler, | |Blumenfield, Bradford, |
| |Eng, Hagman, Hill, Ma, | |Charles Calderon, Campos, |
| |Smyth | |Davis, Donnelly, Fuentes, |
| | | |Hall, Hill, Cedillo, |
| | | |Mitchell, Nielsen, Norby, |
| | | |Solorio, Wagner |
| | | | |
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SUMMARY : Extends the sunset date for the Acupuncture Board
(Board) and the term of the Board's executive officer (EO) by
two years, until January 1, 2017, and makes technical and
clarifying changes.
EXISTING LAW :
1)Establishes the Board within the Department of Consumer
Affairs, which licenses and regulates the acupuncture
profession pursuant to the Acupuncture Licensure Act, until
January 1, 2015.
2)Defines acupuncture as the stimulation of a certain point or
points on or near the surface of the body by the insertion of
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 : According to the Assembly Appropriations
Committee, annual fee-supported special fund costs associated
with continued operation of the Acupuncture Board of $2.8
million until January 1, 2015.
SB 1239
Page 2
COMMENTS : According to the author's office, "This bill is one
of four 'sunset bills' authored by the Chair of the Senate
Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee and is
necessary to extend the sunset date of the Board in order to
continue the regulation of acupuncturists in California. This
bill extends the sunset date on the provisions establishing the
Board and the term of the EO to January 1, 2017. The reason for
only extending the Board for two years was because of identified
problems and deficiencies with the Board. This bill also makes
clarifying changes to the Board's authority to promulgate
regulations regarding standards for the approval of schools,
training and educational programs."
The Board regulates approximately 10,000 individuals licensed to
practice acupuncture and Asian medicine in the State of
California. The Board implements regulatory programs and
performs a variety of functions to protect consumers. These
activities include setting licensure requirements for
acupuncturists, developing and administering the licensure
examination, issuing and renewing licenses, overseeing the
investigation of complaints against licensees or allegations of
unlicensed activity, overseeing the continuing education
program, and monitoring probationary acupuncturists.
Analysis Prepared by : Joanna Gin / B.,P. & C.P. / (916)
319-3301
FN: 0004999