AB 1264: Acupuncture.

Existing law, the Acupuncture Licensure Act, provides for the licensure and regulation of the practice of acupuncture. The act defines various terms for those purposes, including approved educational and training program, which references the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.

This bill would define additional terms under the act, including supervising acupuncturist, acupuncture assistant, and basic supportive acupuncture service. The bill would update the reference to the above-described commission, as specified, and would make conforming changes.

Existing law requires the Acupuncture Board, consisting of 7 members, to enforce and administer the act, and repeals this provision on January 1, 2024. Under existing law, that repeal renders the board subject to review by the appropriate policy committees of the Legislature. Existing law makes the protection of the public the highest priority for the board in exercising its licensing, regulatory, and disciplinary functions. Existing law authorizes the board, by and with the approval of the Director of Consumer Affairs, to appoint an executive officer who is exempt from the State Civil Service Act, and repeals this provision on January 1, 2024.

This bill would reorganize and make other nonsubstantive changes to these provisions. The bill would repeal these provisions on January 1, 2028. The bill would additionally authorize the board, or its designee, upon complaint, to inspect specified premises, places of practice, or clinics. The bill would require specified records to be open to inspection by the board, or its designee, during an investigation initiated in response to a complaint that a licensee has violated any law or regulation that constitutes grounds for disciplinary action or issuance of a citation and fine by the board. The bill would require a copy of the above-described records to be provided to the board immediately upon request.

Existing law requires an acupuncturist to obtain and post a wall license at each place of practice. Existing law establishes that an acupuncturist is responsible for the acupuncture, Asian massage services, or any other specified practice rendered pursuant to the license of the acupuncturist in each place of practice maintained by the acupuncturist.

This bill would delete the requirement that the acupuncturist be responsible for Asian massage services in the provision described above.