HF 581 (LSB 1791HV (3) 86)

HOUSE FILE 581

BY  COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RESOURCES

(SUCCESSOR TO HSB 101)

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to the licensure of acupuncturists. 
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 148E.1, Code 2015, is amended by adding the following new subsections:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  1A.  “Acupuncture needle” means a solid core instrument including but not limited to acupuncture needles, dermal needles, intradermal needles, press tacks, plum blossom needles, prismatic needles, and disposable lancets.
   NEW SUBSECTION.  1B.  “Acupuncture point” means a specific anatomical location on the human body that serves as a treatment site for using acupuncture.
   NEW SUBSECTION.  2A.  “Ashi acupuncture point” means an acupuncture point that is located according to tenderness upon palpation. “Ashi acupuncture point” is also known as a trigger point.
   NEW SUBSECTION.  3A.  “Licensee” means a person holding a license to practice acupuncture granted by the board pursuant to this chapter.
   NEW SUBSECTION.  3B.  “Meridians” means connected points across the human anatomy that affect a specific organ or other part of the body.
    Sec. 2.  Section 148E.1, subsections 1 and 4, Code 2015, are amended to read as follows:
   1.  “Acupuncture” means a form of health care developed from traditional and modern oriental medical concepts that employs acupuncture, oriental medical diagnosis and treatment, and adjunctive therapies and diagnostic techniques, for the promotion, maintenance, and restoration of health and the prevention of disease.
   4.  “Practice of acupuncture” means the insertion of acupuncture needles and the application of moxibustion to specific areas of the human body based upon oriental medical diagnosis as a primary mode of therapy. Adjunctive therapies within the scope of acupuncture may include manual, mechanical, thermal, electrical, and electromagnetic treatment, and the recommendation of dietary guidelines and therapeutic exercise based on traditional oriental medicine concepts:
   a.  The stimulation or piercing of the skin with an acupuncture needle for any of the following purposes:
   (1)  To evoke a therapeutic physiological response, either locally or distally to the area of insertion or stimulation.
   (2)  To relieve pain or treat the neuromusculoskeletal system.
   (3)  To stimulate ashi points to relieve pain and dysfunction.
   (4)  To promote, maintain, and restore health, and prevent disease.
   (5)  To stimulate the body according to auricular, hand, nose, face, foot, or scalp acupuncture therapy.
   (6)  To use acupuncture needles with or without the use of herbs, electric current, or application of heat.
   b.  The use of oriental medical diagnosis and treatment, including:
   (1)  Moxibustion, cupping, thermal methods, magnets, gua sha scraping techniques, acupatches, herbal poultices, hot and cold packs, electromagnetic wave therapy, light and color therapy, sound therapy, or therapy lasers.
   (2)  Massage, acupressure, reflexology, shiatsu and tui na massage, or manual stimulation, including stimulation by an instrument or mechanical device that does not pierce the skin.
   (3)  Herbal medicine and dietary supplements, including those of plant, mineral, animal, and nutraceutical origin.
   c.  Any other adjunctive service or procedure that is clinically appropriate based on the licensee’s training as approved by the national certification commission for acupuncture and oriental medicine or the accreditation commission for acupuncture and oriental medicine.
    Sec. 3.  Section 148E.2, subsection 1, paragraph b, Code 2015, is amended to read as follows:
   b.  Successful completion of a three-year postsecondary training program or acupuncture college program which is accredited by, in candidacy for accreditation by, or which meets the standards of the national accreditation commission for schools and colleges of acupuncture and oriental medicine accreditation commission for acupuncture and oriental medicine.
    Sec. 4.  Section 148E.3, Code 2015, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  3.  A licensed professional utilizing acupuncture as long as the licensed professional acts within the professional’s lawful scope of practice.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with

the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill expands the definition of the practice of acupuncture under Code chapter 148E and adds definitions related to the practice of acupuncture. The bill updates the name of the accreditation organization for the practice of acupuncture. The bill exempts from Code chapter 148E licensed professionals utilizing acupuncture within the scope of practice for the professional.