summary
Introduced
11/07/2025
11/07/2025
In Committee
11/07/2025
11/07/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Current law provides for the licensure and regulation of naturopathic doctors and limited-scope naturopathic doctors, which have a more limited scope of practice than that of naturopathic doctors, by the Naturopathic Medicine Examining Board. This bill makes changes related to the regulation and scope of practice of naturopathic doctors. Under current law, naturopathic doctors are limited to recommending, dispensing, and administering nonprescription drug products. The bill allows naturopathic doctors to prescribe, dispense, and administer prescription drugs. However, the bill prohibits naturopathic doctors from prescribing schedule I or II controlled substances. The bill also adds naturopathic doctors to various other provisions related to drugs, including a provision exempting certain health care practitioners from the limitation on purchasing pseudoephedrine products. Under current law, the board is authorized, but not required, to promulgate rules to adopt minimum malpractice insurance requirements for naturopathic doctors and limited-scope naturopathic doctors. The board’s current rules do not require it. The bill 1) statutorily requires naturopathic doctors to have in effect malpractice insurance, as provided in the bill and 2) repeals the board’s authority to require higher levels of malpractice insurance for naturopathic doctors by rule. The changes related to prescribing drugs and the requirement to have in effect malpractice insurance do not apply to limited-scope naturopathic doctors, and the bill further repeals the board’s authority to require malpractice insurance for limited-scope naturopathic doctors by rule. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.
AI Summary
This bill expands the scope of practice for naturopathic doctors in Wisconsin by allowing them to prescribe, dispense, and administer prescription drugs, with a specific prohibition on prescribing schedule I or II controlled substances. The legislation mandates that naturopathic doctors maintain malpractice insurance coverage, with exceptions for state, county, municipal, or federal employees acting within their job duties. The bill also adds naturopathic doctors to various existing healthcare statutes, including those related to expedited partner therapy (a method of treating sexually transmitted infections by providing medication to a patient's sexual partner without a direct medical examination), pseudoephedrine product purchases, and definitions of health care practitioners. Additionally, the bill creates provisions that protect naturopathic doctors from civil liability when providing expedited partner therapy, as long as they follow specified guidelines and do not engage in reckless or intentional misconduct. These changes aim to integrate naturopathic doctors more fully into the healthcare system by expanding their professional capabilities while maintaining certain regulatory safeguards.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (9)
Elijah Behnke (R)*,
Rick Gundrum (R)*,
Dan Knodl (R)*,
Rob Kreibich (R)*,
Jeff Mursau (R)*,
Jessie Rodriguez (R)*,
Angela Stroud (D)*,
Chuck Wichgers (R)*,
Patrick Testin (R),
Last Action
Fiscal estimate received (on 01/22/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/reg/asm/bill/ab639 |
| Fiscal Note - AB639: Fiscal Estimate From DSPS | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related/fe/ab639/ab639_dsps.pdf |
| BillText | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/proposaltext/2025/REG/AB639.pdf |
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