Bill > HF1270

This bill modifies Minnesota's licensing and practice standards for acupuncture and herbal medicine practitioners by updating and expanding definitions and scope of practice. The bill broadens the definition of acupuncture to include various needle insertion techniques like dry needling, trigger point therapy, and other methods of point stimulation using heat, massage, or electrical stimulation. It replaces references to "Oriental medicine" with more contemporary language, removing terminology like "Oriental" from descriptions of medical techniques and theories. The bill expands the scope of practice for acupuncturists to include diagnostic examinations, basic imaging, and laboratory tests, while also specifying that practitioners must refer patients to other healthcare providers if test results suggest serious conditions beyond their expertise. The bill updates continuing education requirements, modifying the advisory council composition and specifying that continuing education programs should relate to acupuncture and herbal medicine. Additionally, it clarifies patient record-keeping requirements and practice standards, such as obtaining informed consent and reviewing patient diagnoses. The bill aims to modernize and clarify the legal framework for acupuncture and herbal medicine practitioners in Minnesota, making the language more inclusive and precise.

Health and Social Services

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=House&f=HF1270&ssn=0&y=2025