Panel advances HB2366 to license naturopathic doctors after heated debate over scope and collaborative agreements
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Summary
The committee approved HB2366, creating licensure for naturopathic doctors and expanding allowable practice subject to multiple amendments that carve out noninvasive procedures, collaborative on-ramps for prescriptive authority, malpractice/insurance provisions, and prohibitions on abortion-related services.
The Committee on House Health and Human Services voted to pass House Bill 2366 favorably as amended after extended debate over scope of practice, prescriptive authority and patient safety.
Carly, committee staff, opened discussion by describing HB2366 as a bill to license and regulate naturopathic doctors and broaden their practice. Representative Bryce presented a lengthy amendment negotiated among stakeholders that sought to limit authorized care to "noninvasive" procedures, remove intrauterine insemination from the authorized list, add an on-ramp for prescriptive authority via written protocol with a physician or prescriber, and clarify training and educational standards (for example, specifying "approved naturopathic medical colleges"). The amendment also inserted restrictions such as prohibitions on ordering ionizing therapeutic radiation and on performing or prescribing for pregnancy termination.
Members sharply disagreed on whether the bill properly balances access to care with safety. Representative Bryce and supporters described the written-protocol approach as a staged path to independent prescriptive authority similar to earlier APRN reforms. Critics, including Representative Rees and Representative Lehi, said requiring collaborative agreements would effectively require physicians to provide oversight or costly contracts, which many small practice naturopaths could not afford. Representative Bryce called the amendment a negotiated compromise aimed at public safety while expanding access.
The committee adopted a series of technical and policy amendments, including adding licensed naturopathic doctors to the state health care stabilization fund (with associated minimum malpractice thresholds under that fund), inserting definitions for nutraceuticals and proliferative therapy, clarifying minor office procedures, and adopting language to bar naturopaths from performing abortion procedures or prescribing drugs to terminate pregnancy. A proposal to require higher statutory malpractice minimums was discussed, with Jenna noting that adding naturopaths to the stabilization fund already carries a $500,000 per-claim minimum and $1.5 million aggregate threshold.
After members traded arguments about access, training and patient safety, Representative Buick moved to pass HB2366 favorably as amended; Representative Reese seconded the motion. The committee approved the motion and the bill will proceed to the full House, with several members urging ongoing oversight and further statutory refinement.
What’s next: HB2366 advances to the full House; staff and stakeholders flagged several implementation details (malpractice minimums, board oversight definitions and collaborative protocols) for follow-up.
