Bill > SB874

This bill updates terminology and definitions related to acupuncture and traditional medicine practices in Oregon, primarily replacing the term "Oriental medicine" with "Traditional Eastern medicine" throughout state law. The bill provides a comprehensive redefinition of acupuncture, expanding its description to include more detailed explanation of needle insertion techniques, specific treatment methods, and diagnostic approaches. It clarifies that acupuncture involves inserting needles into specific body points at varying depths, using specialized techniques informed by both traditional theory and biomedical understanding. The legislation maintains existing regulatory frameworks for licensing and practicing acupuncture, but updates language to be more culturally sensitive and precise. The bill also modifies provisions related to the Acupuncture Advisory Committee, updating references and allowing for potential future organizational changes. Key changes include specifying that acupuncture involves stimulating biological and physiological responses, broadening the understanding of diagnostic and therapeutic methods, and ensuring that practitioners are appropriately licensed and regulated by the Oregon Medical Board. The overall intent appears to be modernizing and clarifying legal definitions while preserving the essential regulatory structure for acupuncture practitioners in Oregon.

Health and Social Services

https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2025R1/Measures/Overview/SB874