HB 970: RELATING TO CHIROPRACTIC.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO CHIROPRACTIC.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  Section 442-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "§442-2  License to practice.  (a)  It shall be unlawful for any person to practice chiropractic without a license.  Any person applying for a license to practice chiropractic shall submit an application to the Hawaii board of chiropractic accompanied by the application fee, and all documents and affidavits that may be prescribed by law.  The application shall be submitted in accordance with the rules of the board, shall be on a form prescribed by the board, and shall be signed by the applicant.  In addition thereto, each applicant shall furnish to the board:

     (1)  Satisfactory proof that the applicant has met the educational requirements prescribed in the rules of the board; provided that these educational requirements shall not apply to applicants having entered an approved chiropractic college on or before October 31, 1955; and

     (2)  Satisfactory proof that the applicant graduated from a chiropractic college accredited by, or recognized as a candidate for accreditation by, any chiropractic college accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education; provided that the requirements shall not apply to applicants who matriculated in any chiropractic college prior to October 15, 1984.

     (b)  Except in the cases otherwise prescribed in this section each applicant shall be a graduate of a chiropractic school or college accredited as provided by this section.

     (c)  Each applicant who successfully passes the examination shall pay a license fee.

     (d)  Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit a student enrolled in a qualified chiropractic college from engaging in clinical practice under the direct supervision of a qualified licensed chiropractor as part of the student's educational program.  The Hawaii board of chiropractic shall adopt rules to:

     (1)  Specify the requirements for a qualified chiropractic college;

     (2)  Specify the requirements for a student enrolled in a qualified chiropractic college to engage in clinical practice under the direct supervision of a qualified licensed chiropractor; and

     (3)  Define clinical practice."

     SECTION 2.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

Chiropractic; Licensure; Exception; Students; Clinical Practice; Rules

Description:

Allows students enrolled in certain qualifying chiropractic colleges to engage in clinical practice as part of their college instruction if directly supervised by a qualified licensed chiropractor.  Requires the Hawaii Board of Chiropractic to adopt rules.  Effective 7/1/3000.  (HD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to chiropractic.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  Section 442-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "§442-2  License to practice.  (a)  It shall be unlawful for any person to practice chiropractic without a license.  Any person applying for a license to practice chiropractic shall submit an application to the Hawaii board of chiropractic accompanied by the application fee, and all documents and affidavits that may be prescribed by law.  The application shall be submitted in accordance with the rules of the board, shall be on a form prescribed by the board, and shall be signed by the applicant.  In addition thereto, each applicant shall furnish to the board:

     (1)  Satisfactory proof that the applicant has met the educational requirements prescribed in the rules of the board; provided that these educational requirements shall not apply to applicants having entered an approved chiropractic college on or before October 31, 1955; and

     (2)  Satisfactory proof that the applicant graduated from a chiropractic college accredited by, or recognized as a candidate for accreditation by, any chiropractic college accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education; provided that the requirements shall not apply to applicants who matriculated in any chiropractic college prior to October 15, 1984.

     (b)  Except in the cases otherwise prescribed in this section each applicant shall be a graduate of a chiropractic school or college accredited as provided by this section.

     (c)  Each applicant who successfully passes the examination shall pay a license fee.

     (d)  Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit a student enrolled in a chiropractic college from engaging in clinical practice under the direct supervision of a licensed chiropractor as part of the student's educational program."

     SECTION 2.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Report Title:

Chiropractic; Licensure; Exception; Students; Clinical Practice

Description:

Allows chiropractic students to engage in clinical practice as part of their college instruction if directly supervised by a licensed chiropractor.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  774

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.B. No. 970

      H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Higher Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 970 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CHIROPRACTIC,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to authorize chiropractic students to engage in clinical practice as part of their college instruction if directly supervised by a licensed chiropractor.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii State Chiropractic Association and numerous individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Hawaii Board of Chiropractic.

     Your Committee finds that allowing students to apply the knowledge and skills they have learned in the classroom in real‑world settings through clinical practice will allow these students to gain additional essential skills that they will need after graduation.

     Your Committee notes that the Hawaii Board of Chiropractic requested in its testimony to defer implementation of this measure until July 2027 to allow sufficient time for the Board to promulgate rules that set out the requirements for students enrolled in a qualified chiropractic college to engage in clinical practice as part of their college instruction under the direct supervision of a qualified licensed chiropractor.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Clarifying that students enrolled in a qualified chiropractic college are authorized to engage in clinical practice as part of their college instruction if directly supervised by a qualified licensed chiropractor;

     (2)  Requiring the Hawaii Board of Chiropractic to adopt rules to:

          (A)  Specify the requirements for a qualified chiropractic college;

          (B)  Specify the requirements for a student enrolled in a qualified chiropractic college to engage in clinical practice under the direct supervision of a qualified licensed chiropractor; and

          (C)  Define clinical practice;

     (3)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

     (4)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 970, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 970, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Higher Education,