SPONSOR: Griffith
This bill establishes the "Naturopathic Practice Act" and defines the terms, scope, and requirements for the practice of naturopathic medicine.
The bill creates a "Board of Naturopathic Medicine" consisting of five members appointed by the Governor. The Board must include the following:
(1) Three naturopathic doctors;
(2) One physician; and
(3) One registered voter who has lived in the State for one year.
The Board is created within the Division of Professional Registration, within the Department of Commerce and Insurance, to regulate the licensure and discipline of naturopathic doctors.
This bill creates the "Board of Naturopathic Medicine Fund". Moneys in the Fund consist of fees authorized to be charged by the Board. The Fund will be used for the payment of expenses of maintaining the Board and for enforcing provisions concerning the practice of naturopathic medicine.
A licensee may practice naturopathic medicine to provide primary care in alignment with naturopathic medical education, as specified in the bill and includes:
(1) Taking and recording a patient's health history;
(2) Performing physical examinations;
(3) Performing venipuncture;
(4) Ordering, but not interpreting, radiography examinations;
(5) Performing laboratory medicine;
(6) Obtaining samples of human tissues, except surgical excision beyond surgical excision this is authorized as a minor office procedure;
(7) Administering, dispensing, and ordering naturopathic therapies; (8) Recommending, prescribing, administering, dispensing, and ordering: all legend drugs and over-the-counter drugs; controlled substances within Schedules III, IV, and V of Section 195.017,RSMo, excluding all opioids and opioid derivatives; and durable medical equipment and devices;
(9) Administering substances authorized for intradermal, subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravenous, ligamentous, tendinous, periarticular, intra-articular, intravaginal, and intrauterine administration consistent with the education and training of a naturopathic doctor;
(10) Performing naturopathic physical medicine;
(11) Recommending, ordering, and using therapeutic devices;
(12) Recommending, ordering, and using barrier contraception and contraceptive devices, including intrauterine devices;
(13) Performing minor office procedures;
(14) Providing biofeedback and neurofeedback therapies; and
(15) Providing health care counseling, nutritional counseling, and dietary therapy.
A naturopathic doctor must record each prescription order in writing, have experience managing a medical regimen, and register with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in order to prescribe controlled substances.
A naturopathic doctor must refer to a physician any patient whose medical condition is beyond the scope of practice of the naturopathic doctor.
The qualifications, fees, examinations, and renewal procedures for obtaining and maintaining a license to practice naturopathic medicine, as well as the prohibited acts and grounds for disciplinary action are outlined in the bill.
This bill is similar to HCS HB 2446 (2024).
Statutes affected: