Bill > HF1270

This bill modifies the licensing and practice standards for acupuncture and herbal medicine practitioners in Minnesota. It clarifies the definition of "acupuncture" to include modern and traditional diagnostic and treatment methods, such as needle insertion, heat, massage, and electrical stimulation, and explicitly states that "dry needling" and similar terms fall under this definition. The bill also broadens the definition of "acupuncture and herbal medicine practice" to encompass a comprehensive system of primary healthcare using both traditional and modern diagnosis and treatment techniques based on acupuncture and herbal medicine theory, including therapies like cupping, dermal friction, herbal remedies, and dietary guidelines. It updates the definition of an "acupuncture needle" to focus on its purpose of insertion for pain relief or symptom modification. The bill also adjusts requirements for continuing education programs to include expertise in acupuncture and herbal medicine, and expands the scope of practice to include evaluation, management, and treatment services using various methods, diagnostic tests, and physical medicine modalities, while emphasizing the need for referrals when conditions fall outside the practitioner's expertise. Additionally, it revises patient record requirements to include evidence of examination and diagnosis, and removes the requirement for written acknowledgment from patients to consult their primary care physician. Finally, the bill repeals the definition of "Oriental medicine," indicating a shift towards more contemporary terminology.

Health and Social Services

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