South Carolina General Assembly
117th Session, 2007-2008

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Bill 799

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter


(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

Indicates Matter Stricken

Indicates New Matter

FREE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORT ADOPTED -- NOT PRINTED

May 29, 2008

S. 799

Introduced by Senator Hayes

S. Printed 4/9/08--H.

Read the first time January 30, 2008.

            

A BILL

TO AMEND SECTION 40-47-755, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO SUPERVISORY AND PROTOCOL REQUIREMENTS FOR CONDUCTING AURICULAR DETOXIFICATION THERAPY, SO AS TO DELETE THE REQUIREMENT THAT AURICULAR DETOXIFICATION THERAPISTS MUST BE SUPERVISED DIRECTLY BY A LICENSED ACUPUNCTURIST; TO AMEND SECTION 40-47-710, RELATING TO THE ACUPUNCTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE, SO AS TO CLARIFY THAT THREE MEMBERS, RATHER THAN FOUR, CONSTITUTE A QUORUM OF THE FIVE MEMBER BOARD; TO AMEND SECTION 40-47-725, RELATING, AMONG OTHER THINGS, TO CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH PERSONS PRACTICING ACUPUNCTURE SINCE 1980 ARE EXEMPT FROM LICENSURE, SO AS TO ALSO APPLY THESE CONDITIONS FOR EXEMPTION FROM LICENSURE TO PERSONS PRACTICING AURICULAR THERAPY SINCE 1997; TO AMEND SECTION 40-47-745, RELATING TO PENALTIES AND SANCTIONS FOR THE UNAUTHORIZED PRACTICE OF ACUPUNCTURE AND FOR THE UNAUTHORIZED USE OF CERTAIN TITLES, SO AS TO SPECIFY TITLES THAT LICENSED ACUPUNCTURISTS MAY USE SUBJECT TO APPROVAL OF THE BOARD OF MEDICAL EXAMINERS; AND TO REPEAL SECTION 40-47-730 RELATING TO AURICULAR THERAPY LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION    1.    Section 40-47-755 of the 1976 Code, as added by Act 10 of 2005, is amended to read:

"Section 40-47-755.    Auricular detoxification therapy may take place under the direct supervision of a licensed acupuncturist or a person licensed to practice medicine under this chapter. A treatment by an auricular detoxification specialist is strictly limited to the five ear-point treatment protocol for detoxification, substance abuse, or chemical dependency as stipulated by NADA."

SECTION    2.    Section 40-47-710(C) of the 1976 Code, as added by Act 10 of 2005, is amended to read:

"(C)    The committee shall meet at least two times yearly and at other times as may be necessary. Four Three members constitute a quorum. At its initial meeting, and at the beginning of each year thereafter, the committee shall elect from its membership a chairman, vice chairman, and secretary to serve for a term of one year."

SECTION    3.    Section 40-47-725(B) of the 1976 Code, as added by Act 10 of 2005, is amended to read:

"(B)    An individual who has continuously practiced acupuncture in this State since 1980 or auricular therapy since 1997, who has remained in good standing, must be issued a license and renewal licenses without meeting the requirements of this chapter after submitting:

(1)    a completed application as prescribed by the board; and

(2)    fees as provided for in Section 40-47-800."

SECTION    4.    Section 40-47-745(A) of the 1976 Code, as added by Act 10 of 2005, is amended to read:

"(A)(1)(a)    It is unlawful for a person not licensed under this article to hold himself out as an acupuncturist, auricular therapist, or auricular detoxification specialist without being licensed pursuant to this article, during a period of suspension, or after his or her license has been revoked by the board.

(b)    A person who violates subsection (A)(1)(a) is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than three hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than ninety days, or both.

(2)    The titles 'Licensed Acupuncturist' (L.Ac.), and 'Acupuncturist' may only be used by a person licensed to practice acupuncture pursuant to this article. Further, a person licensed to practice auricular therapy or auricular detoxification may not practice acupuncture or hold himself out as an acupuncturist. The title 'Auricular Detoxification Specialist' (ADS) may only be used by a person licensed to practice auricular detoxification therapy pursuant to this article. Possession of a license as an auricular therapist or an auricular detoxification specialist does not, by itself, entitle a person to identify himself or herself as an acupuncturist. A person who holds himself out as an acupuncturist, auricular therapist, or auricular detoxification specialist without being licensed pursuant to this article, during a period of suspension, or after his or her license has been revoked by the board is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than three hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than ninety days, or both.

(3)    Subject to the approval of the Board of Medical Examiners, these titles may be used by a person licensed to practice acupuncture pursuant to this article:

(a)    a licensee who holds the Diplomate of Acupuncture from the NCCAOM may use the title 'Doctor of Acupuncture' (D.Ac.);

(b)    a licensee who holds the Diplomate of Oriental Medicine from the NCCAOM may use the title 'Oriental Medicine Doctor' (O.M.D.);

(c)    'Certified Acupuncturist' (C.Ac);

(d)    'Doctor of Acupuncture' (D.Ac.);

(e)    'Oriental Medicine Doctor' (O.M.D.);

(f)    'Doctor of Oriental Medicine' (D.O.M.)

(g)    'Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine' (D.A.O.M.)."

SECTION    5.    Section 40-47-730 of the 1976 Code is repealed.

SECTION    6.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

/s/Sen. Robert W. Hayes    /s/Rep. Julia A. Parks

/s/Sen. Joel Lourie    /s/Rep. William G. Herbkersman

/s/Sen. Kevin L. Bryant    /s/Rep. Lawrence K. Spires

On Part of the Senate.    On Part of the House.

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