Representative Raymond P. Ward proposes the following substitute bill:


1     
ACUPUNCTURE LICENSING ACT AMENDMENTS

2     
2019 GENERAL SESSION

3     
STATE OF UTAH

4     
Chief Sponsor: Wayne A. Harper

5     
House Sponsor: Marc K. Roberts

6     

7     LONG TITLE
8     General Description:
9          This bill modifies provisions of the Acupuncture Act.
10     Highlighted Provisions:
11          This bill:
12          ▸     defines terms, including "injection therapy";
13          ▸     modifies the definition of the "practice of acupuncture" to include injection therapy;
14          ▸     grants authority to a licensee to procure and administer certain sterile substances as
15     part of injection therapy; and
16          ▸     makes technical changes.
17     Money Appropriated in this Bill:
18          None
19     Other Special Clauses:
20          None
21     Utah Code Sections Affected:
22     AMENDS:
23          58-72-102, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2012, Chapter 88
24          58-72-302, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2009, Chapter 183
25     ENACTS:

26          58-72-701, Utah Code Annotated 1953
27     

28     Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
29          Section 1. Section 58-72-102 is amended to read:
30          58-72-102. Acupuncture licensing -- Definitions.
31          In addition to the definitions in Section 58-1-102, as used in this chapter:
32          (1) "Board" means the Acupuncture Licensing Board created in Section 58-72-201.
33          (2) (a) "Injection therapy" means the use of a hypodermic needle, by a licensed
34     acupuncturist who has obtained a clean needle technique certificate from the National
35     Commission for the Certification of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM), to inject
36     any of the following sterile substances in liquid form into acupuncture points on the body
37     subcutaneously or intramuscularly:
38          (i) a nutritional substance;
39          (ii) a local anesthetic;
40          (iii) autologous blood, if the licensee holds a current phlebotomy certification to draw
41     blood;
42          (iv) sterile water;
43          (v) dextrose;
44          (vi) sodium bicarbonate; and
45          (vii) sterile saline.
46          (b) "Injection therapy" includes using ultrasound guidance to ensure that an injection is
47     only a subcutaneous injection or an intramuscular injection.
48          (c) "Injection therapy" does not include injecting a substance into a vein, joint, artery,
49     blood vessel, nerve, tendon, deep organ, or the spine.
50          (d) "Injection therapy" may not be performed on a pregnant woman or a child under the
51     age of eight.
52          [(2)] (3) "Licensed acupuncturist," designated as "L.Ac.," means a person who has
53     been licensed under this chapter to practice acupuncture.
54          [(3)] (4) "Moxibustion" means a heat therapy that uses the herb moxa to heat
55     acupuncture points of the body.
56          [(4)] (5) (a) "Practice of acupuncture" means the insertion of acupuncture needles, the

57     use of injection therapy, and the application of moxibustion to specific areas of the body based
58     on traditional oriental medical diagnosis and modern research as a primary mode of therapy.
59          (b) Adjunctive therapies within the scope of the practice of acupuncture may include:
60          (i) manual, mechanical, thermal, electrical, light, and electromagnetic treatments based
61     on traditional oriental medical diagnosis and modern research;
62          (ii) the recommendation, administration, or provision of dietary guidelines, herbs,
63     supplements, homeopathics, and therapeutic exercise based on traditional oriental medical
64     diagnosis and modern research according to practitioner training; and
65          (iii) the practice described in Subsections [(4)] (5)(a) and (b) on an animal to the extent
66     permitted by:
67          (A) Subsection 58-28-307(12);
68          (B) the provisions of this chapter; and
69          (C) division rule.
70          (c) "Practice of acupuncture" does not include:
71          (i) the manual manipulation or adjustment of the joints of the body beyond the elastic
72     barrier; or
73          (ii) the "manipulation of the articulation of the spinal column" as defined in Section
74     58-73-102.
75          [(5)] (6) "Unprofessional conduct" is as defined in Sections 58-1-501 and 58-72-503,
76     and as may be further defined by division rule.
77          Section 2. Section 58-72-302 is amended to read:
78          58-72-302. Qualifications for licensure.
79          [Notwithstanding Section 58-1-302, an] An applicant for licensure as a licensed
80     acupuncturist shall:
81          (1) submit an application in a form prescribed by the division;
82          (2) pay a fee determined by the department under Section 63J-1-504;
83          (3) be of good moral character;
84          (4) meet the requirements for current active certification in acupuncture under
85     guidelines established by the National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncture and
86     Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) as demonstrated through a current certificate or other
87     appropriate documentation;

88          (5) pass the examination required by the division by rule;
89          (6) establish procedures, as defined by rule, which shall enable patients to give
90     informed consent to treatment; and
91          (7) meet with the board, if requested, for the purpose of evaluating the applicant's
92     qualifications for licensure.
93          Section 3. Section 58-72-701 is enacted to read:
94     
Part 7. Procurement and Administration Authority

95          58-72-701. Procurement and administration authority.
96          (1) A licensee who has received the necessary training to practice injection therapy,
97     including having obtained a clean needle technique certificate from the National Commission
98     for the Certification of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM):
99          (a) has authority to procure and administer prescriptive substances described in
100     Subsections 58-72-102(2)(a) and (b) for in-office administration only; and
101          (b) may obtain substances described in Subsection 58-72-102(2) from a registered
102     prescription drug outlet, registered manufacturer, or registered wholesaler.
103          (2) An entity that provides any substance to a licensee in accordance with this chapter,
104     and relies in good faith on license information provided by the licensee, is not liable for
105     providing the substance.