GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 2017

SESSION LAW 2018-24

HOUSE BILL 277

AN ACT to Establish A Work Group to Make REcommendations for appropriate oversight and regulation of the practice of naturopathic medicine in North Carolina And to Report to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.(a)  Naturopathic medicine is a distinct health care profession that affects the public health, safety, and welfare of the State's residents. Certification of professionals practicing naturopathic medicine will aid in protecting citizens from deception, fraud, and damage to their health status. On or before September 15, 2018, the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, or the Secretary's designee, shall convene a work group to study the delivery of naturopathic medicine in North Carolina. The work group shall be comprised of the following individuals: two naturopathic doctors, selected by the North Carolina Association of Naturopathic Physicians; one medical doctor, who has knowledge of the practice of naturopathic medicine, selected by the North Carolina Medical Society; the chairperson of the North Carolina Medical Board, or the chairperson's designee; and the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, or the Secretary's designee.

SECTION 1.(b)  The work group shall develop recommendations necessary to provide appropriate oversight and regulation of naturopathic medicine in the State of North Carolina. The work group's recommendations shall include at least the following:

(1)        Identification of an approved program of study of naturopathic medicine that provides graduate‑level, full‑time didactic and supervised clinical training in naturopathic medicine and is accredited by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education or an equivalent federally recognized accrediting body for the naturopathic medical profession. The program must be offered by an institution of higher education and lead to a degree as a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine, or equivalent.

(2)        A scope of practice for naturopathic doctors, including the extent of their responsibilities as licensed health care professionals; the extent of their ability to diagnose and treat individuals in accordance with the method, thought, and practice of naturopathic medicine and use of diagnostic techniques and therapies; and their prescriptive authority.

(3)        Whether the practice of naturopathic medicine should constitute the practice of medicine or surgery as defined in Chapter 90 of the General Statutes.

SECTION 1.(c)  The work group shall report findings and recommendations to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services on or before January 15, 2019. The report shall include findings and recommendations on the topics outlined in this section and other issues necessary to provide for the appropriate oversight and regulation of the practice of naturopathic medicine in North Carolina. Additionally, the report shall also include recommendations on appropriate fees for application, examination, certification, renewals, and late renewals, as appropriate, to cover the costs associated with oversight.

SECTION 2.  This act is effective when it becomes law.

In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 14^th day of June, 2018.

                                                                    s/  Philip E. Berger

                                                                         President Pro Tempore of the Senate

                                                                    s/  Tim Moore

                                                                         Speaker of the House of Representatives

                                                                    s/  Roy Cooper

                                                                         Governor

Approved 9:12 a.m. this 22^nd day of June, 2018