Bill Text: NY A09721 | 2013-2014 | General Assembly | Amended


Bill Title: Authorizes the care and treatment of injured employees by licensed or certified acupuncturists under the workers' compensation program.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Vetoed) 2014-12-17 - tabled [A09721 Detail]

Download: New_York-2013-A09721-Amended.html
                           S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
       ________________________________________________________________________
                                        9721--A
                                 I N  A S S E M B L Y
                                     May 20, 2014
                                      ___________
       Introduced  by M. of A. BRONSON -- read once and referred to the Commit-
         tee on Labor -- reported and referred to the  Committee  on  Codes  --
         reported  and referred to the Committee on Ways and Means -- committee
         discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted
         to said committee
       AN ACT to amend the workers' compensation law and the education law,  in
         relation to the care and treatment of injured employees by licensed or
         certified acupuncturists
         THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
       BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
    1    Section 1. The workers' compensation law is amended by  adding  a  new
    2  section 13-p to read as follows:
    3    S  13-P. CARE AND TREATMENT OF INJURED EMPLOYEES BY LICENSED OR CERTI-
    4  FIED ACUPUNCTURISTS. 1. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, THE TERM "ACUPUNC-
    5  TURIST" SHALL MEAN A PERSON WHO IS DULY LICENSED  AND  REGISTERED  AS  A
    6  LICENSED  ACUPUNCTURIST  PURSUANT  TO  ARTICLE  ONE HUNDRED SIXTY OF THE
    7  EDUCATION LAW, OR WHO IS A CERTIFIED ACUPUNCTURIST PURSUANT TO  SUBDIVI-
    8  SION  THREE  OF SECTION EIGHTY-TWO HUNDRED SIXTEEN OF THE EDUCATION LAW;
    9  AND
   10    2. (A) AN INJURED EMPLOYEE, INJURED  UNDER  CIRCUMSTANCES  WHICH  MAKE
   11  SUCH  AN  INJURY COMPENSABLE UNDER THIS ARTICLE, MAY LAWFULLY BE TREATED
   12  BY AN ACUPUNCTURIST AUTHORIZED BY THE CHAIR TO RENDER  ACUPUNCTURE  CARE
   13  PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION. SUCH SERVICES SHALL BE WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THE
   14  PROFESSION  OF  ACUPUNCTURE  AS  DEFINED  IN  SUBDIVISION ONE OF SECTION
   15  EIGHTY-TWO HUNDRED ELEVEN OF THE EDUCATION LAW.
   16    (B) MEDICAL BUREAUS, MEDICAL CENTERS JOINTLY  OPERATED  BY  LABOR  AND
   17  MANAGEMENT  REPRESENTATIVES,  HOSPITALS AND HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZA-
   18  TIONS, AUTHORIZED TO  PROVIDE  MEDICAL  CARE,  MAY  PROVIDE  ACUPUNCTURE
   19  SERVICES  WHEN REQUIRED, PROVIDED SUCH CARE IS RENDERED BY AN ACUPUNCTU-
   20  RIST AS REQUIRED BY THIS SECTION.
   21    (C) AN ACUPUNCTURIST RENDERING SERVICE PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION  SHALL
   22  MAINTAIN  RECORDS  OF THE PATIENT'S CONDITION AND ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT,
   23  AND SUCH RECORDS OR REPORTS SHALL BE SUBMITTED  TO  THE  CHAIR  ON  SUCH
   24  FORMS AND AT SUCH TIMES AS THE CHAIR MAY REQUIRE.
        EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                             [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                                  LBD15289-02-4
       A. 9721--A                          2
    1    3.  (A) AN ACUPUNCTURIST WHO IS DESIROUS OF BEING AUTHORIZED TO RENDER
    2  ACUPUNCTURE SERVICES UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL FILE  AN  APPLICATION  FOR
    3  AUTHORIZATION  UNDER  THIS SECTION WITH THE ACUPUNCTURE PRACTICE COMMIT-
    4  TEE. THE APPLICANT SHALL AGREE TO REFRAIN FROM SUBSEQUENTLY TREATING FOR
    5  REMUNERATION,  AS  A  PRIVATE  PATIENT,  ANY  PERSON SEEKING ACUPUNCTURE
    6  SERVICES, IN CONNECTION WITH, OR AS A RESULT OF, ANY INJURY  COMPENSABLE
    7  UNDER  THIS  CHAPTER,  IF  HE  OR  SHE HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM THE LIST OF
    8  ACUPUNCTURISTS AUTHORIZED TO RENDER SERVICES UNDER THIS CHAPTER.    THIS
    9  AGREEMENT SHALL RUN TO THE BENEFIT OF THE INJURED PERSON SO TREATED, AND
   10  SHALL  BE AVAILABLE AS A DEFENSE IN ANY ACTION BY SUCH ACUPUNCTURIST FOR
   11  PAYMENT FOR TREATMENT RENDERED BY SUCH ACUPUNCTURIST AFTER BEING REMOVED
   12  FROM  THE  LIST  OF  ACUPUNCTURISTS  AUTHORIZED  TO  RENDER  ACUPUNCTURE
   13  SERVICES  UNDER  THIS  SECTION. THE ACUPUNCTURE PRACTICE COMMITTEE IF IT
   14  DEEMS SUCH ACUPUNCTURIST DULY QUALIFIED SHALL  RECOMMEND  TO  THE  CHAIR
   15  THAT SUCH PERSON BE AUTHORIZED TO RENDER ACUPUNCTURE SERVICES UNDER THIS
   16  SECTION.    SUCH RECOMMENDATIONS SHALL BE ONLY ADVISORY TO THE CHAIR AND
   17  SHALL NOT BE BINDING OR CONCLUSIVE.
   18    (B) THE CHAIR SHALL PREPARE AND ESTABLISH A SCHEDULE FOR THE STATE  OR
   19  SCHEDULES LIMITED TO DEFINED LOCALITIES OF CHARGES AND FEES FOR ACUPUNC-
   20  TURE  TREATMENT  AND  CARE,  TO  BE DETERMINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND BE
   21  SUBJECT TO CHANGE PURSUANT TO RULES PROMULGATED  BY  THE  CHAIR.  BEFORE
   22  PREPARING  SUCH  SCHEDULE FOR THE STATE OR SCHEDULES FOR LIMITED LOCALI-
   23  TIES THE CHAIR SHALL  REQUEST  THE  ACUPUNCTURE  PRACTICE  COMMITTEE  TO
   24  SUBMIT  TO  SUCH  CHAIR A REPORT ON THE AMOUNT OF REMUNERATION DEEMED BY
   25  SUCH COMMITTEE TO BE FAIR AND ADEQUATE  FOR  THE  TYPES  OF  ACUPUNCTURE
   26  SERVICES  TO  BE RENDERED UNDER THIS CHAPTER, BUT CONSIDERATION SHALL BE
   27  GIVEN TO THE VIEW OF OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES.  THE AMOUNTS  PAYABLE  BY
   28  THE  EMPLOYER  FOR  SUCH  TREATMENT  AND  SERVICES SHALL BE THE FEES AND
   29  CHARGES ESTABLISHED BY SUCH SCHEDULE.
   30    (C) IN DETERMINING THE SCHEDULE OR SCHEDULES AS PROVIDED IN  PARAGRAPH
   31  (B)  OF  THIS  SUBDIVISION,  THE  CHAIR SHALL MAKE A DISTINCTION BETWEEN
   32  TREATMENT RENDERED BY  A  DULY  LICENSED  AND  REGISTERED  ACUPUNCTURIST
   33  SUBJECT  TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE ONE HUNDRED SIXTY OF THE EDUCATION
   34  LAW AND A CERTIFIED ACUPUNCTURIST SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS  OF  SECTION
   35  EIGHTY-TWO  HUNDRED  SIXTEEN  OF  THE EDUCATION LAW, AND THE CHAIR SHALL
   36  PREPARE AND ESTABLISH A SCHEDULE OR SCHEDULES REFLECTING FEES AND CHARG-
   37  ES APPROPRIATE TO THE NATURE AND SCOPE OF THE TREATMENT RENDERED BY EACH
   38  TYPE OF PRACTITIONER, GIVING DUE CONSIDERATION TO ALL  RELEVANT  FACTORS
   39  INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE LEVEL OF ACUPUNCTURE EDUCATION OF THE
   40  PRACTITIONER,  THE  TYPE  OF TREATMENT RENDERED, WHETHER THE ACUPUNCTURE
   41  TREATMENT IS BEING PROVIDED AS THE PRINCIPAL TREATMENT OR AS AN  ADJUNCT
   42  TREATMENT,  AND  THE  BILLING  PRACTICES ENTAILED, INCLUDING WHETHER THE
   43  PRACTITIONER SUBMITS ONE COMPREHENSIVE BILL OR BILLS SEPARATELY FOR  THE
   44  ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT, OFFICE VISITS AND OTHER ITEMS.
   45    4. NO CLAIM FOR ACUPUNCTURE SERVICES SHALL BE VALID AND ENFORCEABLE AS
   46  AGAINST  THE  EMPLOYER  OR  EMPLOYEES  UNLESS  WITHIN  FORTY-EIGHT HOURS
   47  FOLLOWING THE FIRST TREATMENT THE  ACUPUNCTURIST  GIVING  SUCH  CARE  OR
   48  TREATMENT FURNISHES TO THE EMPLOYER AND DIRECTLY TO THE CHAIR A PRELIMI-
   49  NARY NOTICE OF SUCH INJURY AND TREATMENT, AND WITHIN FIFTEEN DAYS THERE-
   50  AFTER  A MORE COMPLETE REPORT AND SUBSEQUENT THERETO PROGRESS REPORTS AS
   51  REQUESTED IN WRITING BY THE CHAIR, BOARD, EMPLOYER OR INSURANCE CARRIER,
   52  AT INTERVALS OF NOT LESS THAN THREE WEEKS  APART  OR  AT  LESS  FREQUENT
   53  INTERVALS  IF  REQUESTED ON FORMS PRESCRIBED BY THE CHAIR. THE BOARD MAY
   54  EXCUSE THE FAILURE TO GIVE SUCH NOTICES WITHIN  THE  DESIGNATED  PERIODS
   55  WHEN IT FINDS IT TO BE IN THE INTEREST OF JUSTICE TO DO SO.
       A. 9721--A                          3
    1    5.  FEES  FOR  ACUPUNCTURE  SERVICES  SHALL  BE PAYABLE ONLY TO A DULY
    2  LICENSED OR CERTIFIED ACUPUNCTURIST  PURSUANT  TO  ARTICLE  ONE  HUNDRED
    3  SIXTY  OF  THE EDUCATION LAW, OR TO THE AGENT, EXECUTOR OR ADMINISTRATOR
    4  OF THE ESTATE OF SUCH ACUPUNCTURIST.  NO ACUPUNCTURIST RENDERING  TREAT-
    5  MENT TO A COMPENSATION CLAIMANT SHALL COLLECT OR RECEIVE A FEE FROM SUCH
    6  CLAIMANT  WITHIN  THIS  STATE,  BUT  SHALL  HAVE RECOURSE FOR PAYMENT OF
    7  SERVICES RENDERED ONLY TO THE EMPLOYER  UNDER  THE  PROVISIONS  OF  THIS
    8  SECTION.
    9    6.  WHENEVER  HIS  OR  HER  ATTENDANCE  AT  A HEARING IS REQUIRED, THE
   10  ACUPUNCTURIST OF THE INJURED EMPLOYEE SHALL BE ENTITLED TO RECEIVE A FEE
   11  FROM THE EMPLOYER IN AN AMOUNT TO BE FIXED BY THE BOARD, IN ADDITION  TO
   12  ANY  FEE  PAYABLE UNDER SECTION EIGHT THOUSAND ONE OF THE CIVIL PRACTICE
   13  LAW AND RULES.
   14    7. (A) UNLESS WITHIN THIRTY DAYS AFTER A BILL HAS BEEN RENDERED TO THE
   15  EMPLOYER BY THE ACUPUNCTURIST WHO HAS TREATED AN INJURED EMPLOYEE,  SUCH
   16  EMPLOYER SHALL HAVE NOTIFIED THE CHAIR AND SUCH ACUPUNCTURIST IN WRITING
   17  THAT  SUCH  EMPLOYER DEMANDS AN IMPARTIAL EXAMINATION OF THE FAIRNESS OF
   18  THE AMOUNT CLAIMED BY SUCH ACUPUNCTURIST FOR HIS OR  HER  SERVICES,  THE
   19  RIGHT  TO SUCH AN IMPARTIAL EXAMINATION SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE WAIVED AND
   20  THE AMOUNT CLAIMED BY SUCH ACUPUNCTURIST SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE THE  FAIR
   21  VALUE  OF THE SERVICES RENDERED.  IF THE PARTIES FAIL TO AGREE AS TO THE
   22  ACUPUNCTURE CARE RENDERED UNDER THIS CHAPTER TO A CLAIMANT,  SUCH  VALUE
   23  SHALL  BE DECIDED BY THE ACUPUNCTURE PRACTICE COMMITTEE AND THE MAJORITY
   24  DECISION OF SUCH COMMITTEE SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE UPON THE  PARTIES  AS  TO
   25  THE  VALUE OF THE SERVICES RENDERED. THE BOARD MAY MAKE AN AWARD FOR ANY
   26  SUCH BILL OR PART THEREOF WHICH REMAINS UNPAID IN THE SAME MANNER AS  AN
   27  AWARD  FOR  BILLS  RENDERED  UNDER SUBDIVISIONS ONE AND THREE OF SECTION
   28  THIRTEEN-G OF THIS ARTICLE, AND SUCH AWARD  MAY  BE  COLLECTED  IN  LIKE
   29  MANNER  AS  AN  AWARD OF COMPENSATION. THE CHAIR SHALL ASSESS THE SUM OF
   30  FIFTY DOLLARS AGAINST THE EMPLOYER FOR  EACH  SUCH  AWARD  MADE  BY  THE
   31  BOARD, WHICH SUM SHALL BE PAID INTO THE STATE TREASURY.
   32    (B)  WHERE  AN  ACUPUNCTURIST'S BILL HAS BEEN DETERMINED TO BE DUE AND
   33  OWING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION, THE  BOARD  MAY
   34  IMPOSE  A PENALTY OF NOT MORE THAN ONE AND ONE-HALF PERCENT INTEREST PER
   35  MONTH PAYABLE TO THE ACUPUNCTURIST IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH  THE  RULES  AND
   36  REGULATIONS PROMULGATED BY THE BOARD.
   37    (C)  THE  PARTIES TO SUCH PROCEEDING SHALL EACH PAY TO THE CHAIR A SUM
   38  EQUAL TO FIVE PER CENTUM OF THE AMOUNT PAYABLE  UNDER  THE  DECISION  OF
   39  SUCH  COMMITTEE  OR A MINIMUM OF FIVE DOLLARS, WHICHEVER IS GREATER. THE
   40  SUMS SO COLLECTED SHALL BE TRANSFERRED TO THE STATE  TREASURY  TO  REIM-
   41  BURSE IT ON ACCOUNT OF THE EXPENSE OF ADMINISTERING THIS SECTION.
   42    8.  WITHIN  THE LIMITS PRESCRIBED BY THE EDUCATION LAW FOR ACUPUNCTURE
   43  SERVICES,  THE  REPORT  OR  TESTIMONY  OF  AN  AUTHORIZED  ACUPUNCTURIST
   44  CONCERNING  THE  CONDITION  OF AN INJURED EMPLOYEE AND TREATMENT THEREOF
   45  SHALL BE DEEMED COMPETENT EVIDENCE AND THE PROFESSIONAL OPINION  OF  THE
   46  ACUPUNCTURIST  AS  TO CAUSAL RELATION AND AS TO REQUIRED TREATMENT SHALL
   47  BE DEEMED COMPETENT BUT  SHALL  NOT  BE  CONTROLLING.  NOTHING  IN  THIS
   48  SECTION  SHALL BE DEEMED TO DEPRIVE ANY EMPLOYER OR INSURANCE CARRIER OF
   49  ANY RIGHT TO A MEDICAL EXAMINATION OR PRESENTATION OF MEDICAL  TESTIMONY
   50  NOW CONFERRED BY LAW.
   51    9.  THE  CHAIR  SHALL  PROMULGATE  RULES GOVERNING THE PROCEDURE TO BE
   52  FOLLOWED BY THOSE RENDERING ACUPUNCTURE  SERVICES  UNDER  THIS  SECTION,
   53  WHICH  RULES  SO FAR AS PRACTICABLE SHALL CONFORM TO THE RULES PRESENTLY
   54  IN EFFECT WITH REFERENCE TO MEDICAL CARE FURNISHED TO CLAIMANTS IN WORK-
   55  ERS' COMPENSATION. IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROMULGATION OF SUCH RULES THE
       A. 9721--A                          4
    1  CHAIR MAY CONSULT THE ACUPUNCTURE PRACTICE COMMITTEE AND MAY  TAKE  INTO
    2  CONSIDERATION THE VIEW OF OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES.
    3    10.  THE  CHAIR  SHALL APPOINT FOR AND WITH JURISDICTION IN THE ENTIRE
    4  STATE OF NEW YORK A SINGLE ACUPUNCTURE PRACTICE  COMMITTEE  COMPOSED  OF
    5  TWO  LICENSED  ACUPUNCTURISTS,  AND  ONE  DULY LICENSED PHYSICIAN OF THE
    6  STATE OF NEW YORK. EACH MEMBER OF SUCH COMMITTEE SHALL  RECEIVE  COMPEN-
    7  SATION  EITHER  ON AN ANNUAL BASIS OR ON A PER DIEM BASIS TO BE FIXED BY
    8  THE CHAIR WITHIN AMOUNTS APPROPRIATED THEREFOR.  ONE  OF  SUCH  LICENSED
    9  ACUPUNCTURISTS  SHALL  BE  DESIGNATED  BY  THE  CHAIR AS A CHAIR OF SUCH
   10  ACUPUNCTURE PRACTICE COMMITTEE. NO MEMBER OF SUCH COMMITTEE SHALL RENDER
   11  ACUPUNCTURE SERVICES UNDER THIS SECTION NOR BE AN EMPLOYER OR ACCEPT  OR
   12  PARTICIPATE  IN  ANY  FEE FROM ANY INSURANCE COMPANY AUTHORIZED TO WRITE
   13  WORKERS' COMPENSATION INSURANCE IN THIS STATE OR FROM ANY  SELF-INSURER,
   14  WHETHER  SUCH EMPLOYMENT OR FEE RELATES TO A WORKERS' COMPENSATION CLAIM
   15  OR OTHERWISE. THE ATTORNEY  GENERAL,  UPON  REQUEST,  SHALL  ADVISE  AND
   16  ASSIST SUCH COMMITTEE.
   17    11.  THE  ACUPUNCTURE  PRACTICE  COMMITTEE SHALL INVESTIGATE, HEAR AND
   18  MAKE FINDINGS WITH RESPECT TO ALL CHARGES AS TO  PROFESSIONAL  OR  OTHER
   19  MISCONDUCT  OF ANY AUTHORIZED ACUPUNCTURISTS AS PROVIDED IN THIS SECTION
   20  UNDER RULES AND PROCEDURES TO BE  PRESCRIBED  BY  THE  CHAIR  AND  SHALL
   21  REPORT  EVIDENCE OF SUCH MISCONDUCT, WITH THEIR FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDA-
   22  TIONS WITH RESPECT THERETO, TO THE CHAIR.   THE FINDINGS,  DECISION  AND
   23  RECOMMENDATION  OF SUCH ACUPUNCTURE PRACTICE COMMITTEE SHALL BE ADVISORY
   24  TO THE CHAIR ONLY, AND SHALL NOT BE BINDING OR CONCLUSIVE  UPON  HIM  OR
   25  HER.  THE  CHAIR SHALL REMOVE FROM THE LIST OF ACUPUNCTURISTS AUTHORIZED
   26  TO RENDER ACUPUNCTURE SERVICES  UNDER  THIS  CHAPTER  THE  NAME  OF  ANY
   27  ACUPUNCTURIST WHO HE OR SHE SHALL FIND AFTER REASONABLE INVESTIGATION IS
   28  DISQUALIFIED BECAUSE SUCH ACUPUNCTURIST:
   29    (A) HAS BEEN GUILTY OF PROFESSIONAL OR OTHER MISCONDUCT OR INCOMPETEN-
   30  CY IN CONNECTION WITH THE RENDERING OF ACUPUNCTURE SERVICES,
   31    (B)  HAS  EXCEEDED THE LIMITS OF HIS OR HER PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE IN
   32  RENDERING ACUPUNCTURE SERVICES UNDER THE LAW, OR HAS MADE  FALSE  STATE-
   33  MENTS REGARDING QUALIFICATIONS IN THE APPLICATION FOR AUTHORIZATION,
   34    (C)  HAS FAILED TO SUBMIT TIMELY, FULL AND TRUTHFUL ACUPUNCTURE EVALU-
   35  ATION AND TREATMENT REPORTS OF ALL FINDINGS TO THE EMPLOYER AND DIRECTLY
   36  TO THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD  WITHIN  THE  TIME  LIMITS  PROVIDED  IN  THIS
   37  SECTION,
   38    (D)  HAS  RENDERED  ACUPUNCTURE  SERVICES UNDER THIS CHAPTER FOR A FEE
   39  LESS THAN THAT FIXED IN THE FEE SCHEDULE,
   40    (E) HAS SOLICITED OR HAS EMPLOYED ANOTHER TO SOLICIT  FOR  HIMSELF  OR
   41  HERSELF OR FOR ANOTHER PROFESSIONAL TREATMENT, EXAMINATION OR CARE OF AN
   42  INJURED EMPLOYEE WITH ANY CLAIM UNDER THIS CHAPTER,
   43    (F)  HAS REFUSED TO APPEAR BEFORE OR ANSWER UPON REQUEST OF THE CHAIR,
   44  BOARD, ACUPUNCTURE PRACTICE COMMITTEE OR ANY DULY AUTHORIZED OFFICER  OF
   45  THE  STATE,  ANY  LEGAL  QUESTION  OR PRODUCE ANY RELEVANT BOOK OR PAPER
   46  CONCERNING CONDUCT UNDER AN AUTHORIZATION GRANTED UNDER LAW, OR
   47    (G) HAS DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY REQUESTED, RECEIVED OR PARTICIPATED  IN
   48  THE DIVISION, TRANSFERENCE, ASSIGNMENT, REBATING, SPLITTING OR REFUNDING
   49  OF A FEE FOR, OR HAS DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY REQUESTED, RECEIVED OR PROF-
   50  ITED  BY  MEANS  OF  A  CREDIT  OR OTHERWISE VALUABLE CONSIDERATION AS A
   51  COMMISSION, DISCOUNT OR GRATUITY IN CONNECTION WITH THE TREATMENT  OF  A
   52  WORKERS' COMPENSATION CLAIMANT.
   53    12. ANY PERSON WHO VIOLATES OR ATTEMPTS TO VIOLATE, AND ANY PERSON WHO
   54  AIDS  ANOTHER TO VIOLATE OR ATTEMPTS TO INDUCE HIM OR HER TO VIOLATE THE
   55  PROVISIONS OF PARAGRAPH (G) OF SUBDIVISION ELEVEN OF THIS SECTION  SHALL
   56  BE GUILTY OF A MISDEMEANOR.
       A. 9721--A                          5
    1    13.  NOTHING  IN  THIS  SECTION  SHALL BE CONSTRUED AS LIMITING IN ANY
    2  RESPECT THE POWER OR DUTY OF  THE  CHAIR  TO  INVESTIGATE  INSTANCES  OF
    3  MISCONDUCT,  EITHER  BEFORE  OR  AFTER  INVESTIGATION BY THE ACUPUNCTURE
    4  PRACTICE COMMITTEE, OR TO TEMPORARILY SUSPEND THE AUTHORIZATION  OF  ANY
    5  ACUPUNCTURIST  BELIEVED  TO BE GUILTY OF SUCH MISCONDUCT. THE PROVISIONS
    6  OF SUBDIVISION ONE OF SECTION THIRTEEN-D OF THIS ARTICLE WHICH  ARE  NOT
    7  INCONSISTENT  WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION SHALL BE APPLICABLE AS
    8  IF FULLY SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION.
    9    14. NOTHING CONTAINED IN THIS SECTION  SHALL  PROHIBIT  ACUPUNCTURISTS
   10  WHO  PRACTICE  AS  PARTNERS,  IN GROUPS OR AS A PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION
   11  FROM POOLING FEES  AND  MONEYS  RECEIVED,  EITHER  BY  THE  PARTNERSHIP,
   12  PROFESSIONAL  CORPORATION OR GROUP OR BY THE INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS THEREOF,
   13  FOR PROFESSIONAL  SERVICES  FURNISHED  BY  ANY  INDIVIDUAL  PROFESSIONAL
   14  MEMBER, OR EMPLOYEE OF SUCH PARTNERSHIP, CORPORATION OR GROUP, NOR SHALL
   15  THE PROFESSIONALS CONSTITUTING THE PARTNERSHIPS, CORPORATIONS, OR GROUPS
   16  BE PROHIBITED FROM SHARING, DIVIDING OR APPORTIONING THE FEES AND MONEYS
   17  RECEIVED  BY THEM OR BY THE PARTNERSHIP, CORPORATION OR GROUP IN ACCORD-
   18  ANCE WITH A PARTNERSHIP OR OTHER AGREEMENT.
   19    S 2. Subdivision 1 of section 8213 of the education law, as  added  by
   20  chapter 772 of the laws of 1990, is amended to read as follows:
   21    (1)  There  is  hereby established within the department a state board
   22  for acupuncture. The board shall consist of not less than eleven members
   23  to be appointed by the board of regents on  the  recommendation  of  the
   24  commissioner  for  the purpose of assisting the board of regents and the
   25  department on matters of professional licensing and professional conduct
   26  in accordance with section sixty-five hundred eight  of  this  [chapter]
   27  TITLE, four of whom shall be licensed acupuncturists, four of whom shall
   28  be  licensed  physicians  certified to use acupuncture and three of whom
   29  shall be public members representing the consumer and community. Of  the
   30  acupuncturists  first  appointed  to  the board, one may be a registered
   31  specialist's assistant-acupuncture provided that the term of such regis-
   32  tered specialist's assistant-acupuncture shall not  be  more  than  four
   33  years.  Of  the  members first appointed, three shall be appointed for a
   34  one year term, three shall be appointed for a two year  term  and  three
   35  shall be appointed for a three year term, and two shall be appointed for
   36  a  four  year  term.  Thereafter  all  members shall serve for five year
   37  terms. In the event that more  than  eleven  members  are  appointed,  a
   38  majority of the additional members shall be licensed acupuncturists. The
   39  members of the board shall select one of themselves as [chairman] CHAIR-
   40  PERSON to serve for a one year term.
   41    S  3.  The second undesignated paragraph of subdivision 2 of section 2
   42  of the workers' compensation law, as amended by chapter 113 of the  laws
   43  of 1946, is amended to read as follows:
   44    "Chairman"  OR  "CHAIR" means the [chairman] CHAIRPERSON of the [work-
   45  men's] WORKERS' compensation board of the state of New York;
   46    S 4. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after
   47  it shall have become a law. Provided, that  effective  immediately,  the
   48  addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rules and regulations necessary
   49  to  implement  the  provisions  of  this  act  on its effective date are
   50  authorized and directed to be completed  on  or  before  such  effective
   51  date.
feedback