Bill 338

                    Current Status

Bill Number:               338
Ratification Number:       149
Act Number                 101
Introducing Body:          Senate
Subject:                   Practice of acupuncture permitted

(A101, R149, S338)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 40-47-70, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE PRACTICE OF ACUPUNCTURE, SO AS TO DELETE THE REQUIREMENT THAT ACUPUNCTURE BE DONE UNDER THE DIRECT SUPERVISION OF A LICENSED MEDICAL DOCTOR OR DENTIST AND TO ALLOW SUCH DOCTOR OR DENTIST TO REFER ACUPUNCTURE PATIENTS.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

Practice of acupuncture permitted

Section 1. Section 40-47-70 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 40-47-70. The practice of acupuncture shall be permitted in this State under the supervision and referral of a licensed medical doctor or dentist in facilities approved by the Department of Health and Environmental Control. No acupuncture shall practice in this State without prior written approval of the State Board of Medical Examiners."

Acupuncturist permitted to practice

Section 2. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 40-47-70 of the 1976 Code, as contained in Section 1 of this act, any acupuncturist who has lawfully practiced acupuncture in this State for at least one year prior to the effective date of this act may continue to practice acupuncture without being required to secure the prior written approval of the State Board Of Medical Examiners.

Time effective

Section 3. This act shall take effect upon approval by the Governor.