Assembly Bill 639 proposes significant changes to the regulation and scope of practice for naturopathic doctors in Wisconsin. The bill allows these practitioners to prescribe, dispense, and administer prescription drugs, with the exception of schedule I or II controlled substances. Additionally, it mandates that naturopathic doctors maintain malpractice insurance, while repealing the authority of the Naturopathic Medicine Examining Board to set higher insurance requirements by rule. The bill also introduces provisions for expedited partner therapy, enabling naturopathic doctors to provide treatment for sexually transmitted infections under specific conditions.

The bill amends various sections of current law to incorporate these changes, including the addition of naturopathic doctors to definitions of health care practitioners and provisions related to drug prescriptions. It also creates new sections that outline the requirements for malpractice insurance and the process for expedited partner therapy. Notably, the bill clarifies that the changes regarding prescribing and malpractice insurance do not apply to limited-scope naturopathic doctors. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the practice of naturopathic medicine while ensuring patient safety through insurance requirements and regulated prescribing practices.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 46.03(44), 46.03, 255.07(1)(d), 255.07, 450.11(7)(b), 450.11, 466.03(2)(f), 466.03, 466.04(3)(a)4, 466.04, 466.05(title), 466.05, 466.05(1)(a), 466.07(2)(h), 466.07, 961.01(19)(a), 961.01, 961.23(6), 961.23