Bill > H2415

This bill establishes comprehensive regulations for the practice of "dry needling" or "trigger point acupuncture" by healthcare professionals. The bill defines dry needling as an intramuscular therapy technique using a single-use, sterile needle to treat myofascial pain, specifically targeting trigger points and based on Western medical concepts. The proposed legislation mandates strict requirements for practitioners, including at least two years of post-graduate professional experience, 500 didactic hours and 150 clinical hours of training, in-person education from qualified instructors, and passing a third-party competency examination. Practitioners must obtain and maintain advanced orthopedic clinical certification, pass the CNT (Clean Needle Technique) class and exam, meet continuing education requirements for acupuncture, maintain appropriate medical records, report significant adverse events, obtain specific patient consent, and have malpractice insurance that covers acupuncture. The bill also requires the department of public health to develop a standard set of competencies and promulgate rules and regulations to implement these new guidelines, ultimately aiming to ensure the safe and competent practice of dry needling by healthcare professionals.

Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H2415