Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 2725 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to repeal outdated language regarding application procedures for the examination and modify the accrediting standards for approved naturopathic schools in order to eliminate adverse consequences on applicants for licensure.

Your Committee received testimony in favor of this measure from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division.

Your Committee finds that since the testing agency now has the capability to accept examination applications, the requirement that applications be submitted to the Board of Examiners in Naturopathy is no longer necessary. This measure removes that requirement and allows applicants to apply directly with the testing agency to take the examination.

Your Committee also finds that on January 16, 2001, the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education which was the only "professional" accrediting body in naturopathic medicine, lost its recognition by the United States Department of Education (USDOE). Accordingly, the reference in current law to a "professional" accrediting body recognized by the USDOE has been deleted by this measure. Without this amendment, naturopathic applicants will not be able to satisfy educational requirements therefore resulting in no new naturopathic licensees.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health and Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2725 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and Housing.