A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT authorizing the legislative research commission to study licensing practitioners of naturopathy in north carolina.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  The Legislative Research Commission is authorized to study the practice of naturopathy in North Carolina, and to make recommendations as to whether it would be in the public interest for practitioners to be licensed or otherwise appropriately regulated.
SECTION 2.  In conducting the study, the Commission may consider the following:
(1)	The definition and components of naturopathy and naturopathic therapies.
(2)	The health, cultural, and social significance of naturopathy in North Carolina and nationally.
(3)	The distinctions and similarities between naturopathic therapies and conventional medical treatments.
(4)	The education and training of practitioners and the quality of that education and training, the extent to which the practice of naturopathy requires specialized skill or training, and the standards for determining the level of education and qualifications that should be required for licensure.
(5)	The extent to which there is, and can be, integration and coordination of natural therapies and conventional medical treatments.
(6)	The regulation and enforcement related to naturopathy in North Carolina and nationally, the need for regulation, and the extent and impact of previous regulatory efforts.
(7)	Whether, without licensure, the general public possesses the ability to determine whether a practitioner is competent.
(8)	Whether substantial harm to the public health, safety, and welfare exists if the practice of naturopathy is unregulated.
(9)	The appropriate structure, composition, and responsibilities of a regulatory board pertaining to the practice of naturopathy, the extent to which the responsibilities of a board can be fulfilled, and whether board operations can reasonably be financed through licensing fees.
(10)	The extent to which naturopathy is regulated in other states, and the impact of that regulation.
(11)	The scope of practice applicable to practitioners of naturopathy.
(12)	Whether practitioners of naturopathy in North Carolina have, or propose to have, a code of ethics, a voluntary certification program, or other measures to ensure minimum quality of service.
(13)	The kinds of regulatory provisions that exist in other states.
(14)	How the practice of naturopathy will be regulated, including the qualifications and disciplinary proceedings to be applied to practitioners.
(15)	How the public will benefit from licensure or other regulation.
(16)	The fiscal impact of licensure or other regulation upon the State.
(17)	Any other information the Committee considers relevant.
SECTION 3.(a)  The Legislative Research Commission shall make a final report of its findings and recommendations to the 2005 General Assembly not later than the convening of the 2005 Session of the General Assembly.
SECTION 3.(b)  The Legislative Research Commission shall make a final report to the Legislative Committee on New Licensing Boards within 10 calendar days after that Committee is constituted for the 2005 General Assembly.
SECTION 4.  From funds appropriated to the General Assembly, the Legislative Services Commission shall allocate funds for the purpose of conducting the study provided for in this act.
SECTION 5.  This act is effective when it becomes law.