Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and Housing, to which was referred S.B. No. 2725 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to conform naturopathy licensing requirements to current practices and to changes in the accreditation of naturopathy schools.

The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and Council on Naturopathic Medical Education testified in support of this measure. The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians supported the bill's intent and proposed an amendment.

Prior to August, 2000, applicants for the naturopathy licensing examination were required to submit their applications to the Board of Examiners in Naturopathy, rather than to the testing agency. Subsequently, procedures were changed to allow submission of the application directly to the testing agency. This measure amends the law to conform to this practice and makes other amendments to clarify the examination requirement.

In addition, this measure amends the licensing law to conform to current accreditation practices for naturopathy schools. Presently the law requires that license applicants have graduated from a school accredited by a regional or national professional accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDOE), a professional accrediting body being one that specializes in naturopathy. The only such accrediting body lost its recognition a year ago, therefore making it impossible for applicants to meet the educational requirement. By deleting the statutory reference to a "professional" accrediting body, this measure allows for the recognition of degrees earned from schools accredited by other USDOE-recognized regional or national accrediting bodies.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and Housing 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 Third Reading.