SESSION OF 2019
SUPPLEMENTAL NOTE ON HOUSE BILL NO. 2185
As Amended by Senate Committee on Public
Health and Welfare
Brief*
HB 2185, as amended, would revise the Naturopathic
Doctor Licensure Act and the Radiologic Technologists
Practice Act. The bill would amend the definition of
“naturopathic medicine” in the Naturopathic Doctor Licensure
Act to include ordering diagnostic imaging studies, including,
but not limited to, x-ray, ultrasound, mammogram, bone
densitometry, computed tomography, magnetic resonance
imaging, and electrocardiograms, except that naturopathic
doctors would be required to refer patients to an appropriately
licensed and qualified healthcare professional to conduct
diagnostic imaging studies and interpret the results of such
studies. The bill would also amend the definition of “licensed
practitioner” in the Radiologic Technologists Practice Act to
include a Kansas licensed physician assistant, advanced
practice registered nurse, and naturopathic doctor.
The bill would be in effect upon publication in the
Kansas Register.
Background
The bill was introduced by the House Committee on
Health and Human Services at the request of Representative
Barker on behalf of the Kansas Naturopathic Providers
Association.
In the House Committee hearing, a representative of the
Kansas Naturopathic Doctor’s Association (Association)
provided proponent testimony stating since the inception of
____________________
*Supplemental notes are prepared by the Legislative Research
Department and do not express legislative intent. The supplemental
note and fiscal note for this bill may be accessed on the Internet at
http://www.kslegislature.org
licensure for a naturopathic doctor, it has been common
practice for naturopathic doctors to order diagnostic imaging.
The representative further stated the Association’s position is
this bill is a clarification of current practice.
A representative from the Kansas Medical Society
provided written-only neutral testimony. No other testimony
was provided.
The House Committee amended the bill by deleting
“diagnostic imaging” from the definition of naturopathic
medicine and by inserting language to specify ordering
diagnostic imaging studies would be allowed under the
Naturopathic Doctor Licensure Act.
In the Senate Committee on Public Health and Welfare
hearing, representatives of the Association testified the
Association only recently became aware naturopathic doctors
are not statutorily authorized to order diagnostic imaging, but
it has been common practice since the licensure of
naturopathic doctors. The representatives stated the bill
amends statutes to reflect current practice.
A representative from the Kansas Medical Society
provided written-only neutral testimony. No other testimony
was provided.
The Senate Committee amended the bill to add Kansas
licensed physician assistants, advanced practice registered
nurses, and naturopathic doctors to the definition of a
licensed practitioner in the Radiologic Technologists Practice
Act and to make a technical amendment.
According to the fiscal note prepared by the Division of
the Budget on the bill, as introduced, the Board of Healing
Arts indicates enactment of the bill could increase
responsibilities and workload of staff if there is an increase in
complaints. The Board further indicates it has no way to
estimate the additional number of complaints that would be
received or the fiscal effect that would result.

2- 2185


Statutes affected:
As introduced: 65-7202
As Amended by House Committee: 65-7202
As Amended by Senate Committee: 65-7202, 65-7302