* WARNING: THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL, INTRODUCTORY COPY OF THE BILL.
THE OFFICIAL COPY CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE FIRST READER COPY.
INTRODUCTORY*
CITY OF BALTIMORE
COUNCIL BILL R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember Holton
A RESOLUTION ENTITLED
A COUNCIL RESOLUTION concerning
title
In Support of State Legislation - House Bill 1100 - Health Occupations - State Board of Naturopathic Medicine
FOR the purpose of expressing support for this legislation that establishes the State Board of Naturopathic Medicine and the Fund, specifies the duties of the Board, and promulgates rules and regulations for obtaining a license in naturopathic medicine; urging the Honorable Chair and Members of the House Health and Government Operations Committee to give the bill a favorable report; requesting the Honorable Chairs and Members of the Baltimore City Senate and House Delegations to the 2011 Maryland General Assembly to secure passage of the provisions of Senate Bill 560 or the companion House Bill 1100; and calling upon the Governor to sign the measure into law.
body
Recitals
The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians defines naturopathic medicine as "based on the belief that the human body has an innate healing ability. Naturopathic doctors (NDs) teach their patients to use diet, exercise, lifestyle changes, and cutting edge natural therapies to enhance their bodies' ability to ward off and combat disease. NDs view the patient as a complex interrelated system (a whole person), not as a clogged artery or a tumor. Naturopathic physicians craft comprehensive treatment plans that blend the best of modern medical science and traditional natural medical approaches to not only treat disease, but to restore health."
As reported by the Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges, there are currently 15 states, 5 Canadian provinces, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands that have laws regulating naturopathic doctors. In these states and provinces, naturopathic doctors are required to graduate from a 4-year, residential naturopathic medical school and pass an extensive postdoctoral board examination (NPLEX) in order to receive a license.
Licensed naturopathic physicians must fulfill state- or province-mandated continuing education requirements annually and have a specific scope of practice, as defined by the law in their state or province. The provisions of House Bill 1100/SB 560 provide a comprehensive framework for the licensing of NDs and the regulation of the practice of Naturopathic Medicine in the State of Maryland.
As the popularity, availability, and use of supplements and herbal remedies grows, licensure for NDs, who are experts in the safe and appropriate use of natural-based therapies, will ensure that citizens of Maryland have access to qualified health-care practitioners to monitor drug-herb interactions or safe dosages of nutritional supplements, as well as access to a cost-effective approach to primary health care.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE, That this Body supports passage of this legislation that establishes the State Board of Naturopathic Medicine and the Fund, specifies the duties of the Board, and promulgates rules and regulations for obtaining a license in naturopathic medicine; urges the Honorable Chair and Members of the House Health and Government Operations Committee to give the bill a favorable report; requests the Honorable Chairs and Members of the Baltimore City Senate and House Delegations to the 2011 Maryland General Assembly to secure passage of the provisions of House Bill 1100 or the companion SB560; and calls upon the Governor to sign the measure into law.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Governor, the Mayor, the Honorable Chair and Members of the House Health and Government Operations Committee, the Honorable Chairs and Members of the Baltimore City Senate and House Delegations to the 2011 Maryland General Assembly, the Baltimore Health Commissioner, the Executive Director of the Mayor's Office of State Relations, and the Mayor's Legislative Liaison to the City Council.
dlr 11-2360a~intro/02Mar11
ccres/SB560HB1100/nf
dlr 11-2360a~intro/02Mar11
????
ccres/SB560HB1100/nf