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

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft
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-Introduced.html
                           S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
       ________________________________________________________________________
                                         9721
                                 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
       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.
   25    3.  (A) AN ACUPUNCTURIST WHO IS DESIROUS OF BEING AUTHORIZED TO RENDER
   26  ACUPUNCTURE SERVICES UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL FILE  AN  APPLICATION  FOR
   27  AUTHORIZATION  UNDER  THIS SECTION WITH THE ACUPUNCTURE PRACTICE COMMIT-
        EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                             [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                                  LBD15289-01-4
       A. 9721                             2
    1  TEE. THE APPLICANT SHALL AGREE TO REFRAIN FROM SUBSEQUENTLY TREATING FOR
    2  REMUNERATION, AS A  PRIVATE  PATIENT,  ANY  PERSON  SEEKING  ACUPUNCTURE
    3  SERVICES,  IN CONNECTION WITH, OR AS A RESULT OF, ANY INJURY COMPENSABLE
    4  UNDER  THIS  CHAPTER,  IF  HE  OR  SHE HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM THE LIST OF
    5  ACUPUNCTURISTS AUTHORIZED TO RENDER SERVICES UNDER THIS CHAPTER.    THIS
    6  AGREEMENT SHALL RUN TO THE BENEFIT OF THE INJURED PERSON SO TREATED, AND
    7  SHALL  BE AVAILABLE AS A DEFENSE IN ANY ACTION BY SUCH ACUPUNCTURIST FOR
    8  PAYMENT FOR TREATMENT RENDERED BY SUCH ACUPUNCTURIST AFTER BEING REMOVED
    9  FROM  THE  LIST  OF  ACUPUNCTURISTS  AUTHORIZED  TO  RENDER  ACUPUNCTURE
   10  SERVICES  UNDER  THIS  SECTION. THE ACUPUNCTURE PRACTICE COMMITTEE IF IT
   11  DEEMS SUCH ACUPUNCTURIST DULY QUALIFIED SHALL  RECOMMEND  TO  THE  CHAIR
   12  THAT SUCH PERSON BE AUTHORIZED TO RENDER ACUPUNCTURE SERVICES UNDER THIS
   13  SECTION.    SUCH RECOMMENDATIONS SHALL BE ONLY ADVISORY TO THE CHAIR AND
   14  SHALL NOT BE BINDING OR CONCLUSIVE.
   15    (B) THE CHAIR SHALL PREPARE AND ESTABLISH A SCHEDULE FOR THE STATE  OR
   16  SCHEDULES LIMITED TO DEFINED LOCALITIES OF CHARGES AND FEES FOR ACUPUNC-
   17  TURE  TREATMENT  AND  CARE,  TO  BE DETERMINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND BE
   18  SUBJECT TO CHANGE PURSUANT TO RULES PROMULGATED  BY  THE  CHAIR.  BEFORE
   19  PREPARING  SUCH  SCHEDULE FOR THE STATE OR SCHEDULES FOR LIMITED LOCALI-
   20  TIES THE CHAIR SHALL  REQUEST  THE  ACUPUNCTURE  PRACTICE  COMMITTEE  TO
   21  SUBMIT  TO  SUCH  CHAIR A REPORT ON THE AMOUNT OF REMUNERATION DEEMED BY
   22  SUCH COMMITTEE TO BE FAIR AND ADEQUATE  FOR  THE  TYPES  OF  ACUPUNCTURE
   23  SERVICES  TO  BE RENDERED UNDER THIS CHAPTER, BUT CONSIDERATION SHALL BE
   24  GIVEN TO THE VIEW OF OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES.  THE AMOUNTS  PAYABLE  BY
   25  THE  EMPLOYER  FOR  SUCH  TREATMENT  AND  SERVICES SHALL BE THE FEES AND
   26  CHARGES ESTABLISHED BY SUCH SCHEDULE.
   27    (C) IN DETERMINING THE SCHEDULE OR SCHEDULES AS PROVIDED IN  PARAGRAPH
   28  (B)  OF  THIS  SUBDIVISION,  THE  CHAIR SHALL MAKE A DISTINCTION BETWEEN
   29  TREATMENT RENDERED BY  A  DULY  LICENSED  AND  REGISTERED  ACUPUNCTURIST
   30  SUBJECT  TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE ONE HUNDRED SIXTY OF THE EDUCATION
   31  LAW AND A CERTIFIED ACUPUNCTURIST SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS  OF  SECTION
   32  EIGHTY-TWO  HUNDRED  SIXTEEN  OF  THE EDUCATION LAW, AND THE CHAIR SHALL
   33  PREPARE AND ESTABLISH A SCHEDULE OR SCHEDULES REFLECTING FEES AND CHARG-
   34  ES APPROPRIATE TO THE NATURE AND SCOPE OF THE TREATMENT RENDERED BY EACH
   35  TYPE OF PRACTITIONER, GIVING DUE CONSIDERATION TO ALL  RELEVANT  FACTORS
   36  INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE LEVEL OF EDUCATION OF THE PRACTITION-
   37  ER, THE TYPE OF TREATMENT RENDERED, WHETHER THE ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT IS
   38  BEING  PROVIDED  AS  THE PRINCIPAL TREATMENT OR AS AN ADJUNCT TREATMENT,
   39  AND THE BILLING PRACTICES ENTAILED, INCLUDING WHETHER  THE  PRACTITIONER
   40  SUBMITS  ONE  COMPREHENSIVE BILL OR BILLS SEPARATELY FOR THE ACUPUNCTURE
   41  TREATMENT, OFFICE VISITS AND OTHER ITEMS.
   42    4. NO CLAIM FOR ACUPUNCTURE SERVICES SHALL BE VALID AND ENFORCEABLE AS
   43  AGAINST THE  EMPLOYER  OR  EMPLOYEES  UNLESS  WITHIN  FORTY-EIGHT  HOURS
   44  FOLLOWING  THE  FIRST  TREATMENT  THE  ACUPUNCTURIST GIVING SUCH CARE OR
   45  TREATMENT FURNISHES TO THE EMPLOYER AND DIRECTLY TO THE CHAIR A PRELIMI-
   46  NARY NOTICE OF SUCH INJURY AND TREATMENT, AND WITHIN FIFTEEN DAYS THERE-
   47  AFTER A MORE COMPLETE REPORT AND SUBSEQUENT THERETO PROGRESS REPORTS  AS
   48  REQUESTED IN WRITING BY THE CHAIR, BOARD, EMPLOYER OR INSURANCE CARRIER,
   49  AT  INTERVALS  OF  NOT  LESS  THAN THREE WEEKS APART OR AT LESS FREQUENT
   50  INTERVALS IF REQUESTED ON FORMS PRESCRIBED BY THE CHAIR. THE  BOARD  MAY
   51  EXCUSE  THE  FAILURE  TO GIVE SUCH NOTICES WITHIN THE DESIGNATED PERIODS
   52  WHEN IT FINDS IT TO BE IN THE INTEREST OF JUSTICE TO DO SO.
   53    5. FEES FOR ACUPUNCTURE SERVICES SHALL  BE  PAYABLE  ONLY  TO  A  DULY
   54  LICENSED  OR  CERTIFIED  ACUPUNCTURIST  PURSUANT  TO ARTICLE ONE HUNDRED
   55  SIXTY OF THE EDUCATION LAW, OR TO THE AGENT, EXECUTOR  OR  ADMINISTRATOR
   56  OF  THE ESTATE OF SUCH ACUPUNCTURIST.  NO ACUPUNCTURIST RENDERING TREAT-
       A. 9721                             3
    1  MENT TO A COMPENSATION CLAIMANT SHALL COLLECT OR RECEIVE A FEE FROM SUCH
    2  CLAIMANT WITHIN THIS STATE, BUT  SHALL  HAVE  RECOURSE  FOR  PAYMENT  OF
    3  SERVICES  RENDERED  ONLY  TO  THE  EMPLOYER UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THIS
    4  SECTION.
    5    6.  WHENEVER  HIS  OR  HER  ATTENDANCE  AT  A HEARING IS REQUIRED, THE
    6  ACUPUNCTURIST OF THE INJURED EMPLOYEE SHALL BE ENTITLED TO RECEIVE A FEE
    7  FROM THE EMPLOYER IN AN AMOUNT TO BE FIXED BY THE BOARD, IN ADDITION  TO
    8  ANY  FEE  PAYABLE UNDER SECTION EIGHT THOUSAND ONE OF THE CIVIL PRACTICE
    9  LAW AND RULES.
   10    7. (A) UNLESS WITHIN THIRTY DAYS AFTER A BILL HAS BEEN RENDERED TO THE
   11  EMPLOYER BY THE ACUPUNCTURIST WHO HAS TREATED AN INJURED EMPLOYEE,  SUCH
   12  EMPLOYER SHALL HAVE NOTIFIED THE CHAIR AND SUCH ACUPUNCTURIST IN WRITING
   13  THAT  SUCH  EMPLOYER DEMANDS AN IMPARTIAL EXAMINATION OF THE FAIRNESS OF
   14  THE AMOUNT CLAIMED BY SUCH ACUPUNCTURIST FOR HIS OR  HER  SERVICES,  THE
   15  RIGHT  TO SUCH AN IMPARTIAL EXAMINATION SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE WAIVED AND
   16  THE AMOUNT CLAIMED BY SUCH ACUPUNCTURIST SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE THE  FAIR
   17  VALUE  OF THE SERVICES RENDERED.  IF THE PARTIES FAIL TO AGREE AS TO THE
   18  ACUPUNCTURE CARE RENDERED UNDER THIS CHAPTER TO A CLAIMANT,  SUCH  VALUE
   19  SHALL  BE DECIDED BY THE ACUPUNCTURE PRACTICE COMMITTEE AND THE MAJORITY
   20  DECISION OF SUCH COMMITTEE SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE UPON THE  PARTIES  AS  TO
   21  THE  VALUE OF THE SERVICES RENDERED. THE BOARD MAY MAKE AN AWARD FOR ANY
   22  SUCH BILL OR PART THEREOF WHICH REMAINS UNPAID IN THE SAME MANNER AS  AN
   23  AWARD  FOR  BILLS  RENDERED  UNDER SUBDIVISIONS ONE AND THREE OF SECTION
   24  THIRTEEN-G OF THIS ARTICLE, AND SUCH AWARD  MAY  BE  COLLECTED  IN  LIKE
   25  MANNER  AS  AN  AWARD OF COMPENSATION. THE CHAIR SHALL ASSESS THE SUM OF
   26  FIFTY DOLLARS AGAINST THE EMPLOYER FOR  EACH  SUCH  AWARD  MADE  BY  THE
   27  BOARD, WHICH SUM SHALL BE PAID INTO THE STATE TREASURY.
   28    (B)  WHERE  AN  ACUPUNCTURIST'S BILL HAS BEEN DETERMINED TO BE DUE AND
   29  OWING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION, THE  BOARD  MAY
   30  IMPOSE  A PENALTY OF NOT MORE THAN ONE AND ONE-HALF PERCENT INTEREST PER
   31  MONTH PAYABLE TO THE ACUPUNCTURIST IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH  THE  RULES  AND
   32  REGULATIONS PROMULGATED BY THE BOARD.
   33    (C)  THE  PARTIES TO SUCH PROCEEDING SHALL EACH PAY TO THE CHAIR A SUM
   34  EQUAL TO FIVE PER CENTUM OF THE AMOUNT PAYABLE  UNDER  THE  DECISION  OF
   35  SUCH  COMMITTEE  OR A MINIMUM OF FIVE DOLLARS, WHICHEVER IS GREATER. THE
   36  SUMS SO COLLECTED SHALL BE TRANSFERRED TO THE STATE  TREASURY  TO  REIM-
   37  BURSE IT ON ACCOUNT OF THE EXPENSE OF ADMINISTERING THIS SECTION.
   38    8.  WITHIN  THE LIMITS PRESCRIBED BY THE EDUCATION LAW FOR ACUPUNCTURE
   39  SERVICES,  THE  REPORT  OR  TESTIMONY  OF  AN  AUTHORIZED  ACUPUNCTURIST
   40  CONCERNING  THE  CONDITION  OF AN INJURED EMPLOYEE AND TREATMENT THEREOF
   41  SHALL BE DEEMED COMPETENT EVIDENCE AND THE PROFESSIONAL OPINION  OF  THE
   42  ACUPUNCTURIST  AS  TO CAUSAL RELATION AND AS TO REQUIRED TREATMENT SHALL
   43  BE DEEMED COMPETENT BUT  SHALL  NOT  BE  CONTROLLING.  NOTHING  IN  THIS
   44  SECTION  SHALL BE DEEMED TO DEPRIVE ANY EMPLOYER OR INSURANCE CARRIER OF
   45  ANY RIGHT TO A MEDICAL EXAMINATION OR PRESENTATION OF MEDICAL  TESTIMONY
   46  NOW CONFERRED BY LAW.
   47    9.  THE  CHAIR  SHALL  PROMULGATE  RULES GOVERNING THE PROCEDURE TO BE
   48  FOLLOWED BY THOSE RENDERING ACUPUNCTURE  SERVICES  UNDER  THIS  SECTION,
   49  WHICH  RULES  SO FAR AS PRACTICABLE SHALL CONFORM TO THE RULES PRESENTLY
   50  IN EFFECT WITH REFERENCE TO MEDICAL CARE FURNISHED TO CLAIMANTS IN WORK-
   51  ERS' COMPENSATION. IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROMULGATION OF SUCH RULES THE
   52  CHAIR MAY CONSULT THE ACUPUNCTURE PRACTICE COMMITTEE AND MAY  TAKE  INTO
   53  CONSIDERATION THE VIEW OF OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES.
   54    10.  THE  CHAIR  SHALL APPOINT FOR AND WITH JURISDICTION IN THE ENTIRE
   55  STATE OF NEW YORK A SINGLE ACUPUNCTURE PRACTICE  COMMITTEE  COMPOSED  OF
   56  TWO  LICENSED  ACUPUNCTURISTS,  AND  ONE  DULY LICENSED PHYSICIAN OF THE
       A. 9721                             4
    1  STATE OF NEW YORK. EACH MEMBER OF SUCH COMMITTEE SHALL  RECEIVE  COMPEN-
    2  SATION  EITHER  ON AN ANNUAL BASIS OR ON A PER DIEM BASIS TO BE FIXED BY
    3  THE CHAIR WITHIN AMOUNTS APPROPRIATED THEREFOR.  ONE  OF  SUCH  LICENSED
    4  ACUPUNCTURISTS  SHALL  BE  DESIGNATED  BY  THE  CHAIR AS A CHAIR OF SUCH
    5  ACUPUNCTURE PRACTICE COMMITTEE. NO MEMBER OF SUCH COMMITTEE SHALL RENDER
    6  ACUPUNCTURE SERVICES UNDER THIS SECTION NOR BE AN EMPLOYER OR ACCEPT  OR
    7  PARTICIPATE  IN  ANY  FEE FROM ANY INSURANCE COMPANY AUTHORIZED TO WRITE
    8  WORKERS' COMPENSATION INSURANCE IN THIS STATE OR FROM ANY  SELF-INSURER,
    9  WHETHER  SUCH EMPLOYMENT OR FEE RELATES TO A WORKERS' COMPENSATION CLAIM
   10  OR OTHERWISE. THE ATTORNEY  GENERAL,  UPON  REQUEST,  SHALL  ADVISE  AND
   11  ASSIST SUCH COMMITTEE.
   12    11.  THE  ACUPUNCTURE  PRACTICE  COMMITTEE SHALL INVESTIGATE, HEAR AND
   13  MAKE FINDINGS WITH RESPECT TO ALL CHARGES AS TO  PROFESSIONAL  OR  OTHER
   14  MISCONDUCT  OF ANY AUTHORIZED ACUPUNCTURISTS AS PROVIDED IN THIS SECTION
   15  UNDER RULES AND PROCEDURES TO BE  PRESCRIBED  BY  THE  CHAIR  AND  SHALL
   16  REPORT  EVIDENCE OF SUCH MISCONDUCT, WITH THEIR FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDA-
   17  TIONS WITH RESPECT THERETO, TO THE CHAIR.   THE FINDINGS,  DECISION  AND
   18  RECOMMENDATION  OF SUCH ACUPUNCTURE PRACTICE COMMITTEE SHALL BE ADVISORY
   19  TO THE CHAIR ONLY, AND SHALL NOT BE BINDING OR CONCLUSIVE  UPON  HIM  OR
   20  HER.  THE  CHAIR SHALL REMOVE FROM THE LIST OF ACUPUNCTURISTS AUTHORIZED
   21  TO RENDER ACUPUNCTURE SERVICES  UNDER  THIS  CHAPTER  THE  NAME  OF  ANY
   22  ACUPUNCTURIST WHO HE OR SHE SHALL FIND AFTER REASONABLE INVESTIGATION IS
   23  DISQUALIFIED BECAUSE SUCH ACUPUNCTURIST:
   24    (A) HAS BEEN GUILTY OF PROFESSIONAL OR OTHER MISCONDUCT OR INCOMPETEN-
   25  CY IN CONNECTION WITH THE RENDERING OF ACUPUNCTURE SERVICES,
   26    (B)  HAS  EXCEEDED THE LIMITS OF HIS OR HER PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE IN
   27  RENDERING ACUPUNCTURE SERVICES UNDER THE LAW, OR HAS MADE  FALSE  STATE-
   28  MENTS REGARDING QUALIFICATIONS IN THE APPLICATION FOR AUTHORIZATION,
   29    (C)  HAS FAILED TO SUBMIT TIMELY, FULL AND TRUTHFUL ACUPUNCTURE EVALU-
   30  ATION AND TREATMENT REPORTS OF ALL FINDINGS TO THE EMPLOYER AND DIRECTLY
   31  TO THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD  WITHIN  THE  TIME  LIMITS  PROVIDED  IN  THIS
   32  SECTION,
   33    (D)  HAS  RENDERED  ACUPUNCTURE  SERVICES UNDER THIS CHAPTER FOR A FEE
   34  LESS THAN THAT FIXED IN THE FEE SCHEDULE,
   35    (E) HAS SOLICITED OR HAS EMPLOYED ANOTHER TO SOLICIT  FOR  HIMSELF  OR
   36  HERSELF OR FOR ANOTHER PROFESSIONAL TREATMENT, EXAMINATION OR CARE OF AN
   37  INJURED EMPLOYEE WITH ANY CLAIM UNDER THIS CHAPTER,
   38    (F)  HAS REFUSED TO APPEAR BEFORE OR ANSWER UPON REQUEST OF THE CHAIR,
   39  BOARD, ACUPUNCTURE PRACTICE COMMITTEE OR ANY DULY AUTHORIZED OFFICER  OF
   40  THE  STATE,  ANY  LEGAL  QUESTION  OR PRODUCE ANY RELEVANT BOOK OR PAPER
   41  CONCERNING CONDUCT UNDER AN AUTHORIZATION GRANTED UNDER LAW, OR
   42    (G) HAS DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY REQUESTED, RECEIVED OR PARTICIPATED  IN
   43  THE DIVISION, TRANSFERENCE, ASSIGNMENT, REBATING, SPLITTING OR REFUNDING
   44  OF A FEE FOR, OR HAS DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY REQUESTED, RECEIVED OR PROF-
   45  ITED  BY  MEANS  OF  A  CREDIT  OR OTHERWISE VALUABLE CONSIDERATION AS A
   46  COMMISSION, DISCOUNT OR GRATUITY IN CONNECTION WITH THE TREATMENT  OF  A
   47  WORKERS' COMPENSATION CLAIMANT.
   48    12. ANY PERSON WHO VIOLATES OR ATTEMPTS TO VIOLATE, AND ANY PERSON WHO
   49  AIDS  ANOTHER TO VIOLATE OR ATTEMPTS TO INDUCE HIM OR HER TO VIOLATE THE
   50  PROVISIONS OF PARAGRAPH (G) OF SUBDIVISION ELEVEN OF THIS SECTION  SHALL
   51  BE GUILTY OF A MISDEMEANOR.
   52    13.  NOTHING  IN  THIS  SECTION  SHALL BE CONSTRUED AS LIMITING IN ANY
   53  RESPECT THE POWER OR DUTY OF  THE  CHAIR  TO  INVESTIGATE  INSTANCES  OF
   54  MISCONDUCT,  EITHER  BEFORE  OR  AFTER  INVESTIGATION BY THE ACUPUNCTURE
   55  PRACTICE COMMITTEE, OR TO TEMPORARILY SUSPEND THE AUTHORIZATION  OF  ANY
   56  ACUPUNCTURIST  BELIEVED  TO BE GUILTY OF SUCH MISCONDUCT. THE PROVISIONS
       A. 9721                             5
    1  OF SUBDIVISION ONE OF SECTION THIRTEEN-D OF THIS ARTICLE WHICH  ARE  NOT
    2  INCONSISTENT  WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION SHALL BE APPLICABLE AS
    3  IF FULLY SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION.
    4    14.  NOTHING  CONTAINED  IN THIS SECTION SHALL PROHIBIT ACUPUNCTURISTS
    5  WHO PRACTICE AS PARTNERS, IN GROUPS OR  AS  A  PROFESSIONAL  CORPORATION
    6  FROM  POOLING  FEES  AND  MONEYS  RECEIVED,  EITHER  BY THE PARTNERSHIP,
    7  PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION OR GROUP OR BY THE INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS  THEREOF,
    8  FOR  PROFESSIONAL  SERVICES  FURNISHED  BY  ANY  INDIVIDUAL PROFESSIONAL
    9  MEMBER, OR EMPLOYEE OF SUCH PARTNERSHIP, CORPORATION OR GROUP, NOR SHALL
   10  THE PROFESSIONALS CONSTITUTING THE PARTNERSHIPS, CORPORATIONS, OR GROUPS
   11  BE PROHIBITED FROM SHARING, DIVIDING OR APPORTIONING THE FEES AND MONEYS
   12  RECEIVED BY THEM OR BY THE PARTNERSHIP, CORPORATION OR GROUP IN  ACCORD-
   13  ANCE WITH A PARTNERSHIP OR OTHER AGREEMENT.
   14    S  2.  Subdivision 1 of section 8213 of the education law, as added by
   15  chapter 772 of the laws of 1990, is amended to read as follows:
   16    (1) There is hereby established within the department  a  state  board
   17  for acupuncture. The board shall consist of not less than eleven members
   18  to  be  appointed  by  the board of regents on the recommendation of the
   19  commissioner for the purpose of assisting the board of regents  and  the
   20  department on matters of professional licensing and professional conduct
   21  in  accordance  with  section sixty-five hundred eight of this [chapter]
   22  TITLE, four of whom shall be licensed acupuncturists, four of whom shall
   23  be licensed physicians certified to use acupuncture and  three  of  whom
   24  shall  be public members representing the consumer and community. Of the
   25  acupuncturists first appointed to the board, one  may  be  a  registered
   26  specialist's assistant-acupuncture provided that the term of such regis-
   27  tered  specialist's  assistant-acupuncture  shall  not be more than four
   28  years. Of the members first appointed, three shall be  appointed  for  a
   29  one  year  term,  three shall be appointed for a two year term and three
   30  shall be appointed for a three year term, and two shall be appointed for
   31  a four year term. Thereafter all  members  shall  serve  for  five  year
   32  terms.  In  the  event  that  more  than eleven members are appointed, a
   33  majority of the additional members shall be licensed acupuncturists. The
   34  members of the board shall select one of themselves as [chairman] CHAIR-
   35  PERSON to serve for a one year term.
   36    S 3. The second undesignated paragraph of subdivision 2 of  section  2
   37  of  the workers' compensation law, as amended by chapter 113 of the laws
   38  of 1946, is amended to read as follows:
   39    "Chairman" OR "CHAIR" means the [chairman] CHAIRPERSON of  the  [work-
   40  men's] WORKERS' compensation board of the state of New York;
   41    S 4. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after
   42  it  shall  have  become a law. Provided, that effective immediately, the
   43  addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rules and regulations necessary
   44  to implement the provisions of  this  act  on  its  effective  date  are
   45  authorized  and  directed  to  be  completed on or before such effective
   46  date.
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