SB-233: Acupuncture Board termination
[Figueroa (District 10--Fremont)]

AIMS Position: OPPOSE unless Amended

Bill Status: Dead in Senate Appropriations Committee

May 27, 2005 was the deadline for moving SB 233 to the Senate Floor for a full vote. The bill is now effectively dead. See AIMS eNews Bulletin on SB 233 (5/27/05) for details.

On May 3, 2005, the definition of diagnostic authority contained in this bill was amended this bill in a fashion that would severely limit the ability of acupuncturists to assess, treat, and communicate with patients; it may even curtail the ability to seek insurance reimbursement without a referring diagnosis from another health care provider. See AIMS eNews Bulletin on SB 233 (5/16/05) for details.

On Monday, April 25, 2005, the Senate B&P Committee voted to pass this bill (5 to 1). The bill has now been referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee for hearing.

This bill would eliminate the Acupuncture Board and transfer its functions to a bureau within the Department of Consumer Affairs.

AIMS opposes this bill unless it is amended to remove the May 3rd amendment and to sunrise the Board. There are options available to the legislature that could address all of their concerns without eliminating the Board. Options would include a full or partial reconstitution of the Board. Sunsetting the Board should be a last resort.

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For details, visit...

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/postquery?bill_number=sb_233&sess=CUR