BILL NUMBER: S5860B
SPONSOR: GOUNARDES
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the education law, in relation to modernizing the
chiropractic scope of practice; and to repeal certain provisions of such
law relating thereto
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL::
To amend the Education Law, to reflect the modernization of the chirop-
ractic scope of practice
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS::
This proposed bill would amend numerous sections of Article 132 of the
Education Law by updating and modernizing the provisions related to the
scope of practice for the profession of chiropractic. Significantly,
this modernization legislation recognizes the changes in the education
and training of doctors of chiropractic while ensuring that the profes-
sion remains surgery and drug free.
 
JUSTIFICATION::
In 1963 the chiropractic scope of practice was established in New York
State law. Since that time, the scope of practice for the chiropractic
profession has not been changed or updated. In the 50 plus years since
the licensed profession of chiropractic was recognized in New York,
there have been significant advances in the educational standards and
training for doctors of chiropractic. This legislation will update and
modernize the scope of practice to reflect the significant changes and
developments that have happened in the educational curriculum since
1963.
The doctoral level education and training that chiropractors receive
includes a wide area of study with a focus on conservative healthcare.
Chiropractors are well-trained as portal of entry providers with train-
ing in patient evaluation and assessment, diagnosis, and conservative
treatments. While the foundation of chiropractic is the spinal adjust-
ment, standard training includes education in extremities, nutrition,
therapeutic exercise, adjunctive modalities, and diagnostic testing.
This strong background is built upon a postgraduate education with
certification in electrodiagnosis, special training on how to conduct
medical examinations to deem individuals fit for a commercial drivers
license (CDL), manipulation under anesthesia, and other specialty areas.
Chiropractors are well trained and positioned to assist with the
burgeoning healthcare crisis by offering a drug free, nonsurgical health
option. To allow chiropractors to fill this role in public health and to
best assist their patients with all of their clinical training a modern-
ized scope of practice is required.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY::
2024: S6047 - Referred to Higher Education
2023: S6047 - Referred to Higher Education
2022: S1319 - Referred to Higher Education
2021: S1319 - Referred to Higher Education
2020: S5415 - Referred to Higher Education
2019: S5415 - Referred to Higher Education
2018: S7427 - Referred to Higher Education
2017: S7427 - Referred to Higher Education
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS::
None
 
EFFECTIVE DATE::
This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeeding the
date on which it shall have become a law.

Statutes affected:
S5860: 6552 education law, 6553 education law, 6555 education law, 6556 education law
S5860A: 6552 education law, 6553 education law, 6555 education law, 6556 education law
S5860B: 6552 education law, 6553 education law, 6555 education law, 6556 education law