Legislature(2019 - 2020)BARNES 124
03/13/2020 03:15 PM House LABOR & COMMERCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB91 | |
| HB27 | |
| HB146 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 91 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 301 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 27 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 146 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HB 91-NATUROPATHS: LICENSING; PRACTICE
3:19:30 PM
CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ announced that the first order of business would
be CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 91(L&C), "An Act relating to the
practice of naturopathy; establishing the Naturopathy Advisory
Board; relating to the licensure of naturopaths; relating to
disciplinary sanctions for naturopaths; relating to the
Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development; and
providing for an effective date."
3:19:40 PM
ERIN SHINE, Staff, Representative Jennifer Johnston, provided an
overview of HB 91, on behalf of Representative Johnston, prime
sponsor. She stated that the bill is a modernization of scope
of practice for naturopathic doctors (NDs) in Alaska. She added
that the current CS, Version K, also modernizes the statutes for
the powers and duties of the Division of Corporations, Business
and Professional Licensing, Department of Commerce, Community &
Economic Development (DCCED).
3:20:11 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY questioned whether other states that
expanded the scope of practice for NDs found any evidence that
its a risk to public safety.
MS. SHINE said in her conversations with the regulatory bodies
for the states of Oregon and Washington, she found that their
rates of investigation were minimal.
REPRESENTATIVE STORY suggested that to mean there werent any
spikes in malpractice noticed in [Oregon and Washington].
MS. SHINE confirmed that. She further noted that both Oregon
and Washington have limited prescriptive authority of controlled
substances, which HB 91 does not allow.
REPRESENTATIVE STORY expressed her interest in ensuring that NDs
clarify that they are naturopathic doctors not medical doctors
in their title. She stated that according to Legislative
Legal, Alaska statutes already require that.
CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ pointed out that there is no such thing as a
"regular doctor. She explained that a regular doctor is
often called an allopathic doctor or a medical doctor; however,
many types of doctors exist.
3:23:08 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN opined that although there is valid
concern that citizens are not put at risk when medical services
in Alaska are addressed, the current committee substitute (CS)
for HB 91 has enough protections and provisions to help serve
Alaskans and the diversity of medical approaches and needs that
they want in their communities. She said she will be supporting
the bill in its current form.
3:25:11 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES moved to report CSHB 91, Version LS0608\K,
Fisher, 2/8/20, out of committee with individual recommendations
and the accompanying fiscal notes. Without objection, CSHB
91(L&C) was moved from the House Labor and Commerce Standing
Committee.