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Committee approves bill allowing chiropractic students supervised clinical practice; delayed rulemaking noted
Summary
The House Committee on Higher Education passed HB 970 to permit chiropractic students to engage in clinical practice under direct supervision of a licensed chiropractor; the committee will reflect the board’s request for delayed rulemaking in its report and added a defective implementation date.
The House Committee on Higher Education voted to pass House Bill 970, which specifies that students enrolled in a qualified chiropractic college may engage in clinical practice as part of their educational program when directly supervised by a licensed chiropractor.
The measure requires the Hawaii Board of Chiropractic to adopt rules defining “qualified chiropractic college,” “direct supervision” and “clinical practice.” Committee members noted the board’s request for a delayed implementation to allow time for rule development; the board had asked for July 2027. The chair said the committee would reflect that request in its report and add a defective implementation date of July 1, 3000, to allow further discussion.
Rashaal Araki, executive officer of the Hawaii Board of Chiropractic, told the committee the board meets every other month and needs time to adopt rules. “That is why we’re asking for the delayed implementation of 2 years so that the board can adopt the rules,” Araki said. Anne Chung, testifying for the Hawaii State Chiropractic Association, said the association “stands on our written testimony in strong support.”
During the decision-making session, the chair read proposed HD1 language clarifying that nothing in the section prohibits a student from engaging in clinical practice under direct supervision and directed the board to adopt implementing rules. The committee recorded its recommendation to pass HB 970 with the HD1 incorporating the chiropractic board’s suggested amendments.
Votes at the committee roll call were recorded in the hearing transcript as the chair and vice chair voting aye, followed by Representatives Evslin, Coppella, Keeler, LaChica, Olds, Woodson, Muraoka and Souza; Representative Sayama was excused. The committee’s recommendation was adopted.
The committee report will include technical non‑substantive edits for clarity and will note the board’s request for delayed rulemaking; it will also retain the defective date to allow continued negotiation on the timing of implementation.
