S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   5860
 
                        2025-2026 Regular Sessions
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                               March 3, 2025
                                ___________
 
 Introduced by Sens. GOUNARDES, MURRAY, SKOUFIS -- read twice and ordered
   printed,  and  when printed to be committed to the Committee on Higher
   Education
 
 AN ACT to amend the  education  law,  in  relation  to  modernizing  the
   chiropractic  scope  of  practice; and to repeal certain provisions of
   such law relating thereto

   THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section  1. Section 6551 of the education law, as added by chapter 987
 of the laws of 1971, paragraphs a and b of subdivision 2 as  amended  by
 chapter 450 of the laws of 1983, and subdivision 3 as amended by chapter
 683 of the laws of 1991, is amended to read as follows:
   § 6551. Definition  of  practice of chiropractic.   1. The practice of
 the profession of chiropractic is defined as [detecting  and  correcting
 by  manual  or  mechanical  means  structural  imbalance, distortion, or
 subluxations in the human body for the purpose of removing nerve  inter-
 ference  and  the effects thereof, where such interference is the result
 of or related to distortion, misalignment or subluxation of  or  in  the
 vertebral  column. 2.] THE EXAMINATION, EVALUATION, DETECTION, DIAGNOSIS
 OF THE HUMAN BODY AND/OR TREATMENT OR CORRECTION OF: SUBLUXATIONS IN THE
 VERTEBRAL COLUMN OR OTHER ARTICULAR SEGMENTS  BY  MANUAL  OR  MECHANICAL
 MEANS,    NEUROMUSCULOSKELETAL    CONDITIONS,    STRUCTURAL   IMBALANCE,
 DISTORTION, AND/OR DYSFUNCTION OF THE HUMAN BODY AND THE EFFECTS  THERE-
 OF;  INCLUDING  RESTORING  NERVOUS  SYSTEM INTEGRITY, STRUCTURAL BALANCE
 AND/OR FUNCTION; AS IT MAY RELATE TO ANY HUMAN  DISEASE,  PAIN,  INJURY,
 DEFORMITY OR PHYSICAL CONDITION.
   2.  A.  THE  PRACTICE OF CHIROPRACTIC INCLUDES, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO,
 PHYSICAL AND FUNCTIONAL EXAMINATION OF PATIENTS, HEALTH ASSESSMENT, WORK
 CAPABILITY ASSESSMENT, HANDICAP ELIGIBILITY ASSESSMENT, SCHOOL AND OTHER
 SPORTS ASSESSMENT, SCHOOL ATTENDANCE ASSESSMENT, SPINAL  HEALTH  ASSESS-
 MENT,  ANALYSIS,  OR  TO  GIVE CONSULTATION, ADVICE, RECOMMENDATIONS AND
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD05767-01-5
              

 S. 5860                             2
 
 COUNSELING REGARDING  ANATOMY,  PHYSIOLOGY,  NEUROLOGY,  GENERAL  HEALTH
 MATTERS, WELLNESS AND HEALTH OPTIMIZATION BY ANY MEANS OF COMMUNICATION,
 THE  USE OF X-RAY AND DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING STUDIES USING IONIZING AND NON-
 IONIZING  IMAGING METHODS, ADJUSTMENT, MOBILIZATION, MANIPULATION, TRAC-
 TION, AND DECOMPRESSION, AND OTHER  PROCEDURES  CONSISTING  OF  BUT  NOT
 LIMITED  TO, HEAT, COLD, LIGHT, AIR, WATER, SOUND, ELECTRICITY, MASSAGE,
 MANUAL THERAPIES, THERAPEUTIC EXERCISE WITH OR WITHOUT ASSISTIVE DEVICES
 AND CLINICAL LABORATORY TESTING METHODS APPROVED BY  THE  DEPARTMENT  AS
 BEING APPROPRIATE TO THE PRACTICE OF CHIROPRACTIC.
   B. CHIROPRACTIC EXAMINATION, DIAGNOSTIC AND TREATMENT METHODS MAY ALSO
 INCLUDE ELECTRODIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND MANIPULATION UNDER ANESTHESIA WHEN
 APPROPRIATE  EDUCATION  STANDARDS  HAVE  BEEN MET AND AS APPROVED BY THE
 DEPARTMENT AS BEING APPROPRIATE TO THE PRACTICE OF CHIROPRACTIC.
   C. THE PRACTICE OF THE PROFESSION OF CHIROPRACTIC  ALLOWS  A  LICENSED
 CHIROPRACTOR WHO HAS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED A REGISTERED DOCTORAL, POST-
 DOCTORAL  OR  CONTINUING  EDUCATION  CERTIFICATION  PROGRAM  OF A HIGHER
 EDUCATION CREDENTIAL BY AN ACCREDITING AGENCY, WHICH CONTAINS COURSES OF
 STUDY IN WELLNESS CARE METHODS, NUTRITION, AND DIETARY ADVICE  SATISFAC-
 TORY  TO THE DEPARTMENT; USE OF WELLNESS CARE METHODS AND THE ABILITY TO
 ENGAGE IN NUTRITIONAL  COUNSELING  AND  DIETARY  ADVICE,  INCLUDING  THE
 DISPENSING  OF  FOOD  CONCENTRATES, FOOD EXTRACTS, NUTRACEUTICALS, VITA-
 MINS, MINERALS,  AND  OTHER  NUTRITIONAL  SUPPLEMENTS  APPROVED  BY  THE
 DEPARTMENT  AS  BEING  APPROPRIATE TO, AND AS A PART OF, THE PRACTICE OF
 CHIROPRACTIC, AS THE ABOVE RELATES TO THE DEFINITION OF THE PRACTICE  OF
 CHIROPRACTIC IN SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION.
   3.  a.  A license to practice as a chiropractor SHALL PERMIT A CHIROP-
 RACTIC PRACTITIONER IN THEIR  PROFESSIONAL  DISCRETION  THE  ABILITY  TO
 TAKE,  ORDER  AND USE X-RAY AND DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING STUDIES BUT shall not
 permit the holder thereof to use  [radio-therapy,  fluoroscopy,  or  any
 form  of  ionizing  radiation  except  X-ray which shall be used for the
 detection of structural imbalance, distortion, or  subluxations  in  the
 human body] IONIZING RADIATION SOURCES FOR THE PURPOSES OF RADIOTHERAPY.
   b. The requirements and limitations with respect to the use of [X-ray]
 DIAGNOSTIC  IMAGING  STUDIES  by  chiropractors shall be enforced by the
 state commissioner of health and [he] THE COMMISSIONER is authorized  to
 promulgate  rules  and  regulations  after  conferring  with the [board]
 DEPARTMENT to carry out the purposes of this subdivision.
   c. Chiropractors shall retain for a period of three years  all  [X-ray
 films] DIAGNOSTIC IMAGES taken in the course of their practice, together
 with  the records pertaining thereto, and shall make such [films] IMAGES
 and records available to the state commissioner of health or [his] THEIR
 representative on demand.
   [3.] 4. CHIROPRACTORS MAY USE DIAGNOSTIC CLINICAL  LABORATORY  METHODS
 INVOLVING  CHEMICAL  OR  BIOLOGICAL  MEANS  WHICH  PARTICULAR  TESTS AND
 SERVICES SHALL BE APPROVED BY THE DEPARTMENT AS APPROPRIATE TO THE PRAC-
 TICE OF CHIROPRACTIC.
   5. A license to practice chiropractic  shall  not  permit  the  holder
 thereof  to  treat  for  any  infectious diseases such as pneumonia, any
 communicable diseases listed in the sanitary code of the  state  of  New
 York, any of the cardio-vascular-renal or cardio-pulmonary diseases, any
 surgical  condition  [of  the  abdomen  such  as  acute appendicitis, or
 diabetes], or any benign or malignant neoplasms; to operate;  to  reduce
 fractures  [or  dislocations]; to prescribe, administer, dispense or use
 in [his] THEIR practice drugs or medicines[; or  to  use  diagnostic  or
 therapeutic  methods involving chemical or biological means except diag-
 nostic services performed by clinical laboratories which services  shall
 S. 5860                             3

 be approved by the board as appropriate to the practice of chiropractic;
 or  to  utilize  electrical devices except those devices approved by the
 board as being appropriate to  the  practice  of  chiropractic.  Nothing
 herein  shall  be  construed to prohibit a licensed chiropractor who has
 successfully completed a registered doctoral  program  in  chiropractic,
 which contains courses of study in nutrition satisfactory to the depart-
 ment,  from  using  nutritional  counseling, including the dispensing of
 food concentrates, food extracts, vitamins, minerals, and  other  nutri-
 tional supplements approved by the board as being appropriate to, and as
 a  part of, his or her practice of chiropractic. Nothing herein shall be
 construed to prohibit an individual who is not subject to regulation  in
 this state as a licensed chiropractor from engaging in nutritional coun-
 seling.]  OR  CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES OR TO ADMINISTER OR USE ANESTHETICS.
 CHIROPRACTORS MAY USE TOPICAL ANALGESIC SUBSTANCES AND ANESTHETIC BALMS,
 SALVES OR EMOLLIENTS OR ADVISE ON OVER THE COUNTER SUBSTANCES.
   § 2. Section 6552 of the education law, as added by chapter 987 of the
 laws of 1971, is amended to read as follows:
   § 6552. Practice of chiropractic  and  use  of  title  "chiropractor",
 "DOCTOR  OF  CHIROPRACTIC"  OR "CHIROPRACTIC PHYSICIAN".   Only a person
 licensed [or exempt] OR OTHERWISE AUTHORIZED under this article  [shall]
 TO  practice chiropractic [or] MAY use the title "chiropractor", "DOCTOR
 OF CHIROPRACTIC" OR "CHIROPRACTIC PHYSICIAN".
   § 3. Section 6553 of the education law, as added by chapter 987 of the
 laws of 1971, is amended to read as follows:
   § 6553. State board for chiropractic.  A state board for  chiropractic
 shall  be  appointed  by  the  board of regents on recommendation of the
 commissioner for the purpose of assisting the board of regents  and  the
 department on matters of professional licensing and professional conduct
 in  accordance with section sixty-five hundred eight of this title.  The
 board shall be composed of not less than [seven] EIGHT members,  includ-
 ing  [at  least four] SEVEN licensed chiropractors[, one licensed physi-
 cian who is a doctor of medicine, one licensed physician who is a doctor
 of osteopathy, and one educator who  holds  a  doctorate  or  equivalent
 degree in either anatomy, physiology, pathology, chemistry or microbiol-
 ogy]  IN  THIS  STATE FOR AT LEAST FIVE YEARS AND ONE PUBLIC MEMBER.  An
 executive secretary to the board shall be  appointed  by  the  board  of
 regents on recommendation of the commissioner.
   § 4. Section 6554 of the education law, as added by chapter 987 of the
 laws  of  1971,  subdivision  3 as amended by chapter 994 of the laws of
 1971, subdivision 6 as amended by chapter 669 of the laws of  2022,  and
 subdivision  8  as amended by chapter 62 of the laws of 1989, is amended
 to read as follows:
   § 6554. Requirements for a professional  license.  To  qualify  for  a
 license  as  a  chiropractor,  an  applicant shall fulfill the following
 requirements:
   (1) Application: file an application with the department;
   (2) Education: have received an education, including [two] THREE years
 OR NINETY SEMESTER HOURS OF CREDIT OR EQUIVALENT  TRIMESTER  OR  QUARTER
 HOURS  OF  CREDIT  of  preprofessional college study and completion of a
 [four-year resident program in chiropractic,]  PROGRAM  OF  CHIROPRACTIC
 EDUCATION OF NOT LESS THAN FOUR ACADEMIC YEARS, OR THE EQUIVALENT THERE-
 OF in accordance with the commissioner's regulations;
   (3)  Experience:  have  experience  satisfactory  to  the board and in
 accordance with the commissioner's regulations[:];
   (4) Examination: pass examinations satisfactory to the  board  and  in
 accordance  with the commissioner's regulations[, in clinical chiroprac-
 S. 5860                             4

 tic analysis, the practice of  chiropractic,  X-ray  as  it  relates  to
 chiropractic  analysis,  and examinations satisfactory to the department
 in anatomy, physiology, pathology, chemistry,  microbiology,  diagnosis,
 and the use and effect of X-ray] FOR THE PRACTICE OF CHIROPRACTIC;
   (5) Age: be at least twenty-one years of age;
   (6) Citizenship or immigration status: be a United States citizen or a
 noncitizen  lawfully  admitted  for  permanent  residence  in the United
 States;
   (7) Character: be of good moral character as determined by the depart-
 ment; and
   (8) Fees: pay a fee of one hundred seventy-five dollars to the depart-
 ment for [admission to a department conducted examination  and  for]  an
 initial  license  UPON  COMPLETION  AND PASSAGE OF A DEPARTMENT APPROVED
 EXAMINATION, a fee of eighty-five dollars for each reexamination, a  fee
 of  one  hundred  fifteen dollars for an initial license for persons not
 requiring admission to a department conducted examination, and a fee  of
 one hundred fifty-five dollars for each triennial registration period.
   §  5.  Section 6555 of the education law, as amended by chapter 537 of
 the laws of 1983, is amended to read as follows:
   § 6555. Exempt persons.  [Nothing in this article shall  be  construed
 to  affect or prevent a student enrolled in a college of chiropractic in
 this state from engaging in all phases of clinical practice under super-
 vision of a licensed chiropractor or physician in  a  curriculum  regis-
 tered  by  the  department.]  THE  FOLLOWING PERSONS UNDER THE FOLLOWING
 LIMITATIONS  MAY  PRACTICE  CHIROPRACTIC  WITHIN  THE  STATE  WITHOUT  A
 LICENSE:
   1. A STUDENT ENROLLED IN ANY ACCREDITED COLLEGE OF CHIROPRACTIC ENGAG-
 ING  IN  ALL PHASES OF CLINICAL PRACTICE UNDER SUPERVISION OF A LICENSED
 CHIROPRACTOR OR PHYSICIAN IN A CURRICULUM REGISTERED BY THE  DEPARTMENT;
 OR
   2.  A STUDENT WHO IS PERFORMING A CLINICAL EXTERNSHIP OR PRECEPTORSHIP
 IN A CHIROPRACTIC OFFICE OR CLINIC SETTING AND  WHO  IS  ENROLLED  IN  A
 CHIROPRACTIC  SCHOOL  WHICH  MEETS  THE  STANDARDS  SATISFACTORY  TO THE
 DEPARTMENT, PROVIDED SUCH PRACTICE IS UNDER THE DIRECT SUPERVISION OF  A
 LICENSED CHIROPRACTOR FOR A MAXIMUM PERIOD OF TWELVE MONTHS; OR
   3.  ANY CHIROPRACTOR AUTHORIZED TO PRACTICE CHIROPRACTIC WHILE TRAVEL-
 LING FROM ANOTHER  STATE  OR  COUNTRY  IN  WHICH  SUCH  CHIROPRACTOR  IS
 LICENSED, TO PROVIDE CHIROPRACTIC SERVICES DURING ANY EMERGENCY SERVICES
 ASSOCIATED  WITH  ANY  RESCUE,  RECOVERY  OR  HUMANITARIAN RELIEF EFFORT
 PROVIDED SUCH PRACTICE IS LIMITED TO THE ORGANIZED  EMERGENCY  SERVICES;
 OR
   4.  A  CHIROPRACTOR WHO IS NOT A RESIDENT OF THIS STATE WHO IS LEGALLY
 QUALIFIED TO PRACTICE IN THEIR STATE AND WHO IS TRAVELLING FROM  ANOTHER
 STATE  FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING CHIROPRACTIC SERVICES FOR A SPECIFIC
 PURPOSE OR EVENT OF LIMITED DURATION; OR
   5. ANY CHIROPRACTOR WHO IS LICENSED IN ANOTHER STATE  OR  COUNTRY  AND
 WHO  IS  MEETING  OR  COMMUNICATING WITH A CHIROPRACTOR LICENSED IN THIS
 STATE, FOR PURPOSES OF CONSULTATION, PROVIDED SUCH PRACTICE  IS  LIMITED
 TO SUCH CONSULTATION; OR
   6.  ANY  CHIROPRACTOR WHO IS LICENSED IN ANOTHER STATE OR COUNTRY, WHO
 IS VISITING A CHIROPRACTIC SCHOOL OR TEACHING FACILITY IN THIS STATE  TO
 RECEIVE  CHIROPRACTIC  INSTRUCTION FOR A PERIOD NOT TO EXCEED SIX MONTHS
 OR TO CONDUCT CHIROPRACTIC INSTRUCTION, PROVIDED SUCH PRACTICE IS LIMIT-
 ED TO SUCH INSTRUCTION  AND  IS  UNDER  THE  GENERAL  SUPERVISION  OF  A
 LICENSED CHIROPRACTOR; OR
 S. 5860                             5
 
   7. ANY CHIROPRACTOR WHO IS AUTHORIZED BY A FOREIGN GOVERNMENT TO PRAC-
 TICE  IN  RELATION  TO  ITS  DIPLOMATIC,  CONSULAR  OR  MARITIME STAFFS,
 PROVIDED SUCH PRACTICE IS LIMITED TO SUCH STAFFS; OR
   8.  ANY COMMISSIONED CHIROPRACTIC OFFICER WHO IS SERVING IN THE UNITED
 STATES ARMED FORCES OR PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE OR ANY CHIROPRACTOR WHO  IS
 EMPLOYED  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES VETERANS ADMINISTRATION, PROVIDED SUCH
 PRACTICE IS LIMITED TO SUCH SERVICE OR EMPLOYMENT.
   § 6. Section 6556 of the education law is REPEALED and a  new  section
 6556 is added to read as follows:
   § 6556. LIMITED  PERMITS.  PERMITS LIMITED AS TO ELIGIBILITY, PRACTICE
 AND DURATION, SHALL BE ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT TO ELIGIBLE  APPLICANTS,
 AS FOLLOWS:
   1.  ELIGIBILITY: THE FOLLOWING PERSONS SHALL BE ELIGIBLE FOR A LIMITED
 PERMIT:
   A. A PERSON WHO FULFILLS ALL REQUIREMENTS FOR A LICENSE  AS  A  CHIRO-
 PRACTOR  EXCEPT  THOSE  RELATING  TO  THE EXAMINATION AND CITIZENSHIP OR
 PERMANENT RESIDENCE IN THE UNITED STATES;
   B. A LICENSED FOREIGN CHIROPRACTOR WHO MEETS GUIDELINES  DEVELOPED  IN
 ACCORDANCE WITH THE COMMISSIONER'S REGULATIONS;
   C.  A LICENSED FOREIGN CHIROPRACTOR OR A FOREIGN INTERN WHO IS IN THIS
 COUNTRY ON A NON-IMMIGRATION VISA FOR THE CONTINUATION  OF  CHIROPRACTIC
 STUDY  WHO MEETS GUIDELINES DEVELOPED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE COMMISSION-
 ER'S REGULATIONS;
   D. ANY GRADUATE OF A CHIROPRACTIC SCHOOL WHICH MEETS STANDARDS  SATIS-
 FACTORY  TO  THE DEPARTMENT, PROVIDED SUCH PRACTICE IS UNDER THE GENERAL
 SUPERVISION OF A LICENSED CHIROPRACTOR FOR A MAXIMUM  PERIOD  OF  TWELVE
 MONTHS FROM DATE OF GRADUATION.
   2.  LIMIT  OF  PRACTICE.  A  PERMITTEE SHALL BE AUTHORIZED TO PRACTICE
 CHIROPRACTIC ONLY UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF A LICENSED  CHIROPRACTOR  AND
 ONLY IN A LICENSED CHIROPRACTIC OFFICE OR CLINICAL SETTING.
   3.  DURATION. A LIMITED PERMIT SHALL BE VALID FOR ONE YEAR.  A LIMITED
 PERMIT MAY BE RENEWED ANNUALLY AT THE DISCRETION OF THE DEPARTMENT.
   4. FEES. THE FEE FOR EACH LIMITED PERMIT AND FOR EACH RENEWAL SHALL BE
 ONE HUNDRED FIVE DOLLARS.
   § 7. The education law is amended by adding a new section 6557 to read
 as follows:
   § 6557. SPECIAL PROVISIONS. 1. NON-LIABILITY OF LICENSED CHIROPRACTORS
 FOR FIRST AID OR EMERGENCY TREATMENT.  NOTWITHSTANDING ANY  INCONSISTENT
 PROVISION  OF ANY GENERAL, SPECIAL OR LOCAL LAW, ANY LICENSED CHIROPRAC-
 TOR WHO VOLUNTARILY AND WITHOUT THE EXPECTATION OF MONETARY COMPENSATION
 RENDERS FIRST AID OR EMERGENCY TREATMENT AT THE SCENE OF AN ACCIDENT  OR
 OTHER  EMERGENCY, OUTSIDE A HOSPITAL, DOCTOR'S OFFICE OR ANY OTHER PLACE
 HAVING PROPER AND NECESSARY CHIROPRACTIC EQUIPMENT, TO A PERSON  WHO  IS
 UNCONSCIOUS,  ILL  OR INJURED, SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR DAMAGES FOR INJU-
 RIES ALLEGED TO HAVE BEEN SUSTAINED BY SUCH PERSON OR  FOR  DAMAGES  FOR
 THE DEATH OF SUCH PERSON ALLEGED TO HAVE OCCURRED BY REASON OF AN ACT OR
 OMISSION  IN  THE  RENDERING  OF  SUCH  FIRST AID OR EMERGENCY TREATMENT
 UNLESS IT IS ESTABLISHED THAT SUCH  INJURIES  WERE  OR  SUCH  DEATH  WAS
 CAUSED  BY GROSS NEGLIGENCE ON THE PART OF SUCH CHIROPRACTOR. NOTHING IN
 THIS SECTION SHALL BE DEEMED OR CONSTRUED TO RELIEVE A  LICENSED  CHIRO-
 PRACTOR  FROM  LIABILITY  FOR DAMAGES FOR INJURIES OR DEATH CAUSED BY AN
 ACT OR OMISSION ON THE PART OF A CHIROPRACTOR  WHILE  RENDERING  PROFES-
 SIONAL SERVICES IN THE NORMAL AND ORDINARY COURSE OF THEIR PRACTICE.
   2.  THIS  ARTICLE  SHALL  NOT  BE  CONSTRUED  TO AFFECT OR PREVENT THE
 FOLLOWING:
   A. THE FURNISHING OF ANY ASSISTANCE IN AN EMERGENCY;
 S. 5860                             6
 
   B. THE CHIROPRACTOR FROM BEING A PRIMARY PORTAL  OF  ENTRY  HEALTHCARE
 PROVIDER.
   3.  THERE  SHALL BE NO MONETARY LIABILITY ON THE PART OF, AND NO CAUSE
 OF ACTION FOR DAMAGES SHALL  ARISE  AGAINST,  ANY  PERSON,  PARTNERSHIP,
 CORPORATION,  FIRM,  SOCIETY, OR OTHER ENTITY ON ACCOUNT OF THE COMMUNI-
 CATION OF INFORMATION IN THE POSSESSION OF SUCH PERSON OR ENTITY, OR  ON
 ACCOUNT  OF  ANY  RECOMMENDATION OR EVALUATION, REGARDING THE QUALIFICA-
 TIONS, FITNESS, OR PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT OR PRACTICES OF A  CHIROPRACTOR,
 TO  ANY GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY, CHIROPRACTIC SOCIETY, A HOSPITAL AS DEFINED
 IN ARTICLE TWENTY-EIGHT OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH LAW, A HOSPITAL AS  DEFINED
 IN  SUBDIVISION  TEN  OF  SECTION  1.03  OF THE MENTAL HYGIENE LAW, OR A
 HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATION ORGANIZED UNDER  ARTICLE  FORTY-FOUR  OF
 THE  PUBLIC  HEALTH  LAW  OR  ARTICLE  FORTY-THREE OF THE INSURANCE LAW,
 INCLUDING A COMMITTEE OF AN INDIVIDUAL PRACTICE ASSOCIATION  OR  MEDICAL
 GROUP  ACTING PURSUANT TO A CONTRACT WITH A HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZA-
 TION. THE FOREGOING SHALL NOT APPLY TO INFORMATION WHICH IS  UNTRUE  AND
 COMMUNICATED WITH MALICIOUS INTENT.
   § 8. The education law is amended by adding a new section 6558 to read
 as follows:
   § 6558. DEFINITION  OF  CHIROPRACTIC CLINICAL ASSISTANT.  1. A CHIROP-
 RACTIC CLINICAL ASSISTANT IS DEFINED AS A PERSON CERTIFIED IN ACCORDANCE
 WITH THIS ARTICLE WHO WORKS UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF A  LICENSED  CHIRO-
 PRACTOR  PERFORMING SUCH PATIENT DUTIES AS ARE ASSIGNED BY THE SUPERVIS-
 ING CHIROPRACTOR. A CHIROPRACTIC CLINICAL  ASSISTANT  MAY  ONLY  PROVIDE
 PATIENT  SERVICES ON THE ORDERS AND INSTRUCTIONS OF A SUPERVISING CHIRO-
 PRACTOR. SUPERVISION OF A CHIROPRACTIC CLINICAL ASSISTANT BY A  LICENSED
 CHIROPRACTOR  SHALL  BE  ON-SITE SUPERVISION, BUT NOT NECESSARILY DIRECT
 PERSONAL SUPERVISION. THE NUMBER  OF  CHIROPRACTIC  CLINICAL  ASSISTANTS
 SUPERVISED  BY  ONE  LICENSED CHIROPRACTOR SHALL NOT EXCEED THE RATIO OF
 FOUR CHIROPRACTIC CLINICAL ASSISTANTS TO ONE  LICENSED  CHIROPRACTOR  AS
 SHALL  BE  DETERMINED  BY  THE  COMMISSIONER'S REGULATIONS ENSURING THAT
 THERE BE ADEQUATE SUPERVISION IN THE BEST INTEREST OF PUBLIC HEALTH  AND
 SAFETY.  NOTHING  IN  THIS  SECTION  SHALL  PROHIBIT A HOSPITAL OR OTHER
 PUBLIC HEALTH LAW ARTICLE TWENTY-EIGHT FACILITY FROM  EMPLOYING  CHIROP-
 RACTIC  CLINICAL ASSISTANTS, PROVIDED THEY WORK UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF
 A CHIROPRACTOR, PHYSICIAN, NURSE PRACTITIONER OR OTHER MEDICAL  PROVIDER
 DESIGNATED  BY  THE  HOSPITAL  OR PUBLIC HEALTH LAW ARTICLE TWENTY-EIGHT
 FACILITY AND NOT BEYOND THE SCOPE OF PRACTICE OF A CHIROPRACTIC CLINICAL
 ASSISTANT.
   2. A CERTIFIED CHIROPRACTIC CLINICAL ASSISTANT MAY ONLY PROVIDE  CLIN-
 ICAL SERVICES ON THE ORDERS AND INSTRUCTIONS OF A SUPERVISING CHIROPRAC-
 TOR.
   3. THE SCOPE OF SERVICES FOR A CERTIFIED CHIROPRACTIC CLINICAL ASSIST-
 ANT  SHALL INCLUDE ASSISTING A CHIROPRACTOR WITH PROVIDING CERTAIN CLIN-
 ICAL PROCEDURES COMMON AND CUSTOMARY TO THE CHIROPRACTIC  SETTING  WHICH
 INCLUDE,  BUT  ARE  NOT  LIMITED  TO,  THE FOLLOWING: COLLECTING GENERAL
 HEALTH DATA, SUCH AS THE TAKING OF  AN  ORAL  HISTORY,  VITAL  SIGNS  OR
 NEUROLOGICAL,   PHYSIOLOGICAL  OR  ANATOMICAL  MEASUREMENTS;  PERFORMING
 OBJECTIVE DATA COLLECTION TESTS COMMON AND CUSTOMARY TO THE CHIROPRACTIC
 SETTING INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO DYNAMIC  OR  STATIC  SURFACE  EMG,
 THERMOGRAPHY,  HEART  RATE  VARIABILITY;  APPLYING  THERMAL, LIGHT, AIR,
 WATER, SOUND,  ELECTRICAL  AND  MECHANICAL  MODALITIES;  AND  MONITORING
 PRESCRIBED REHABILITATIVE ACTIVITIES.
   4.  A  CERTIFIED  CHIROPRACTIC  CLINICAL  ASSISTANT MUST BE ADEQUATELY
 TRAINED IN THE PROPER OPERATION OF ANY DEVICE  OR  EQUIPMENT  AND  KNOW-
 LEDGEABLE OF ANATOMY AND THE APPROPRIATE SAFETY PROCEDURES AND CONTRAIN-
 S. 5860                             7
 
 DICATIONS  WITH  RESPECT  TO  THE CLINICAL SERVICES THEY ARE DIRECTED TO
 PROVIDE.
   5.  NOTHING  IN  THIS  SECTION SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO ALLOW A CERTIFIED
 CHIROPRACTIC CLINICAL ASSISTANT TO PROVIDE  A  CHIROPRACTIC  ADJUSTMENT;
 MANIPULATION;  JOINT  MOBILIZATION; PERFORM RADIOLOGICAL TESTS (X-RAYS);
 NUTRITIONAL INSTRUCTION; AND COUNSELING OR OTHER THERAPEUTIC SERVICE  OR
 PROCEDURE WHICH REQUIRES INDIVIDUAL LICENSURE IN NEW YORK STATE.
   6.  REGISTRATION AS A CERTIFIED CHIROPRACTIC CLINICAL ASSISTANT IS NOT
 REQUIRED FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO  PERFORM  ADMINISTRATIVE  ACTIVITIES  OF  A
 NON-CLINICAL NATURE.
   § 9. The education law is amended by adding a new section 6559 to read
 as follows:
   § 6559. DUTIES OF CHIROPRACTIC CLINICAL ASSISTANT AND THE USE OF TITLE
 "CHIROPRACTIC  CLINICAL ASSISTANT". ONLY A PERSON CERTIFIED OR OTHERWISE
 AUTHORIZED UNDER THIS ARTICLE  SHALL  PARTICIPATE  IN  THE  PRACTICE  OF
 CHIROPRACTIC  AS  A  CHIROPRACTIC  CLINICAL  ASSISTANT AND ONLY A PERSON
 CERTIFIED UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL USE THE TITLE "CHIROPRACTIC  CLINICAL
 ASSISTANT".
   §  10.  The  education  law is amended by adding a new section 6560 to
 read as follows:
   § 6560. REQUIREMENTS FOR  CERTIFICATION  AS  A  CHIROPRACTIC  CLINICAL
 ASSISTANT.
   1. APPLICATION: FILE AN APPLICATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT;
   2.  EDUCATION: HAVE RECEIVED AN EDUCATION AND TRAINING IN A CHIROPRAC-
 TIC CLINICAL ASSISTANT PROGRAM IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH  THE  COMMISSIONER'S
 REGULATIONS  AND DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION; INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO A
 MINIMUM OF TWENTY-FOUR HOURS OF DIDACTIC STUDY;
   3. EXPERIENCE: HAVE EXPERIENCE  SATISFACTORY  TO  THE  DEPARTMENT  FOR
 CHIROPRACTIC IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE COMMISSIONER'S REGULATIONS;
   4. EXAMINATION: PASS AN EXAMINATION SATISFACTORY TO THE DEPARTMENT AND
 IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE COMMISSIONER'S REGULATIONS;
   5. AGE: BE AT LEAST EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE;
   6.  CHARACTER: BE OF GOOD MORAL CHARACTER AS DETERMINED BY THE DEPART-
 MENT;
   7. REGISTRATION: ALL CERTIFIED CHIROPRACTIC CLINICAL ASSISTANTS  SHALL
 REGISTER  TRIENNIALLY  WITH  THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH
 THE REGULATIONS OF THE COMMISSIONER;
   8. FEES: PAY A FEE FOR AN INITIAL CERTIFICATE OF FIFTY DOLLARS, AND  A
 FEE OF FIFTY DOLLARS FOR EACH SUBSEQUENT TRIENNIAL REGISTRATION PERIOD.
   9.  A  CERTIFIED  CHIROPRACTIC  CLINICAL ASSISTANT SHALL CONDUCT THEM-
 SELVES WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF PROPER ETHICAL BEHAVIOR AND SHALL ADHERE
 TO ACCEPTABLE STANDARDS OF CONDUCT REGARDLESS OF WHETHER  A  SUPERVISING
 CHIROPRACTOR  OR  PERSON IN A POSITION OF AUTHORITY MAY ORDER, IMPART OR
 CONDONE BEHAVIOR OR CONDUCT WHICH IS IMPROPER.
   10. "IMPROPER CONDUCT", UNDER  THE  MEANING  OF  THIS  SECTION,  SHALL
 INCLUDE  CONDUCT  DELINEATED  UNDER THE CHIROPRACTIC PRACTICE ACT, REGU-
 LATIONS, AND SUCH OTHER NEW YORK STATE LAWS THAT MAY APPLY.
   11. THE DEPARTMENT MAY REFUSE  TO  ISSUE,  REFUSE  TO  RENEW,  OR  MAY
 SUSPEND, REVOKE, CENSURE, REPRIMAND, RESTRICT, OR LIMIT THE REGISTRATION
 OF,  OR  FINE  ANY  PERSON PURSUANT TO THE LAWS OF NEW YORK STATE OR THE
 PROCEDURES SET FORTH HEREIN, UPON ONE OR MORE OF THE GROUNDS FOR  DISCI-
 PLINE SET FORTH IN THIS ARTICLE.
   §  11.  The  education  law is amended by adding a new section 6561 to
 read as follows:
   § 6561. EXEMPTIONS. 1. THIS ARTICLE SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED  TO  AFFECT
 OR  PREVENT  A  CHIROPRACTIC CLINICAL ASSISTANT STUDENT FROM ENGAGING IN
 S. 5860                             8
 
 CLINICAL ASSISTING UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF A LICENSED  CHIROPRACTOR  AS
 PART  OF  A  PROGRAM  CONDUCTED  IN AN APPROVED PROGRAM FOR CHIROPRACTIC
 CLINICAL ASSISTANTS OR IN A CLINICAL  FACILITY  OR  HEALTH  CARE  AGENCY
 AFFILIATED WITH THE PROGRAM FOR CHIROPRACTIC CLINICAL ASSISTANTS.
   2.  SUPERVISION  OF  A  CHIROPRACTIC  CLINICAL  ASSISTANT STUDENT BY A
 LICENSED CHIROPRACTOR SHALL BE ON-SITE  SUPERVISION  AND  DIRECT  SUPER-
 VISION.
   §  12.  The  education  law is amended by adding a new section 6562 to
 read as follows:
   § 6562. LIMITED PERMITS. 1.  THE  DEPARTMENT  SHALL  ISSUE  A  LIMITED
 PERMIT  TO  AN APPLICANT WHO MEETS ALL REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION TO THE
 CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION.
   2. ALL PRACTICE UNDER A LIMITED PERMIT SHALL BE UNDER THE  SUPERVISION
 OF  A  LICENSED  CHIROPRACTOR  OR  OTHER  LICENSED MEDICAL PROVIDER IN A
 PUBLIC HOSPITAL, AN INCORPORATED HOSPITAL OR CLINIC, A LICENSED PROPRIE-
 TARY HOSPITAL, A LICENSED NURSING HOME, A PUBLIC HEALTH AGENCY, A RECOG-
 NIZED PUBLIC OR NON-PUBLIC SCHOOL SETTING,  THE  OFFICE  OF  A  LICENSED
 CHIROPRACTOR, OR IN THE CIVIL SERVICE OF THE STATE OR POLITICAL SUBDIVI-
 SION THEREOF.
   3.  LIMITED PERMITS SHALL BE FOR SIX MONTHS AND THE DEPARTMENT MAY FOR
 JUSTIFIABLE CAUSE RENEW A LIMITED  PERMIT  PROVIDED  THAT  NO  APPLICANT
 SHALL  PRACTICE  UNDER  ANY  LIMITED PERMIT FOR MORE THAN A TOTAL OF ONE
 YEAR.
   4. SUPERVISION OF A PERMITTEE BY  A  LICENSED  CHIROPRACTOR  SHALL  BE
 ON-SITE SUPERVISION AND NOT NECESSARILY DIRECT PERSONAL SUPERVISION.
   5. THE FEE FOR EACH LIMITED PERMIT AND FOR EACH RENEWAL SHALL BE FIFTY
 DOLLARS.
   § 13. This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeed-
 ing the date on which it shall have become a law.

                             
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                  5860--A
 
                        2025-2026 Regular Sessions
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                               March 3, 2025
                                ___________
 
 Introduced by Sens. GOUNARDES, MURRAY, SKOUFIS -- read twice and ordered
   printed,  and  when printed to be committed to the Committee on Higher
   Education -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted  as
   amended and recommitted to said committee
 
 AN  ACT  to  amend  the  education  law,  in relation to modernizing the
   chiropractic scope of practice; and to repeal  certain  provisions  of
   such law relating thereto
 
   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section 1. Section 6551 of the education law, as added by chapter  987
 of  the  laws of 1971, paragraphs a and b of subdivision 2 as amended by
 chapter 450 of the laws of 1983, and subdivision 3 as amended by chapter
 683 of the laws of 1991, is amended to read as follows:
   § 6551. Definition of practice of chiropractic.   1. The  practice  of
 the  profession  of chiropractic is defined as [detecting and correcting
 by manual or  mechanical  means  structural  imbalance,  distortion,  or
 subluxations  in the human body for the purpose of removing nerve inter-
 ference and the effects thereof, where such interference is  the  result
 of  or  related  to distortion, misalignment or subluxation of or in the
 vertebral column. 2.] THE EXAMINATION, EVALUATION, DETECTION,  DIAGNOSIS
 AND  TREATMENT OF NEUROMUSCULOSKELETAL CONDITIONS INCLUDING SUBLUXATIONS
 IN THE VERTEBRAL COLUMN OR OTHER ARTICULATIONS AND SOFT  TISSUE  OF  THE
 HUMAN BODY BY MANUAL OR MECHANICAL MEANS FOR THE RESTORATION AND MAINTE-
 NANCE OF HEALTH.
   2.  A.  THE  PRACTICE OF CHIROPRACTIC INCLUDES, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO,
 PHYSICAL AND FUNCTIONAL EXAMINATION OF PATIENTS, HEALTH ASSESSMENT, WORK
 CAPABILITY ASSESSMENT, HANDICAP ELIGIBILITY ASSESSMENT, SCHOOL AND OTHER
 SPORTS ASSESSMENT, SCHOOL ATTENDANCE ASSESSMENT, SPINAL  HEALTH  ASSESS-
 MENT,  ANALYSIS,  OR  TO  GIVE CONSULTATION, ADVICE, RECOMMENDATIONS AND
 COUNSELING REGARDING  ANATOMY,  PHYSIOLOGY,  NEUROLOGY,  GENERAL  HEALTH
 MATTERS, WELLNESS AND HEALTH OPTIMIZATION BY ANY MEANS OF COMMUNICATION,
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD05767-03-5
              

 S. 5860--A                          2
 
 THE  USE OF X-RAY AND DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING STUDIES USING IONIZING AND NON-
 IONIZING IMAGING METHODS, ADJUSTMENT, MOBILIZATION, MANIPULATION,  TRAC-
 TION,  AND  DECOMPRESSION,  AND  OTHER  PROCEDURES CONSISTING OF BUT NOT
 LIMITED  TO, HEAT, COLD, LIGHT, AIR, WATER, SOUND, ELECTRICITY, MASSAGE,
 MANUAL THERAPIES, THERAPEUTIC EXERCISE WITH OR WITHOUT ASSISTIVE DEVICES
 AND CLINICAL LABORATORY TESTING METHODS APPROVED BY  THE  DEPARTMENT  AS
 BEING APPROPRIATE TO THE PRACTICE OF CHIROPRACTIC.
   B. CHIROPRACTIC EXAMINATION, DIAGNOSTIC AND TREATMENT METHODS MAY ALSO
 INCLUDE ELECTRODIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND MANIPULATION UNDER ANESTHESIA WHEN
 APPROPRIATE  EDUCATION  STANDARDS  HAVE  BEEN MET AND AS APPROVED BY THE
 DEPARTMENT AS BEING APPROPRIATE TO THE PRACTICE OF CHIROPRACTIC.
   C. THE PRACTICE OF THE PROFESSION OF CHIROPRACTIC  ALLOWS  A  LICENSED
 CHIROPRACTOR WHO HAS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED A REGISTERED DOCTORAL, POST-
 DOCTORAL  OR  CONTINUING  EDUCATION  CERTIFICATION  PROGRAM  OF A HIGHER
 EDUCATION CREDENTIAL BY AN ACCREDITING AGENCY, WHICH CONTAINS COURSES OF
 STUDY IN WELLNESS CARE METHODS, NUTRITION, AND DIETARY ADVICE  SATISFAC-
 TORY  TO THE DEPARTMENT; USE OF WELLNESS CARE METHODS AND THE ABILITY TO
 ENGAGE IN NUTRITIONAL  COUNSELING  AND  DIETARY  ADVICE,  INCLUDING  THE
 DISPENSING  OF  FOOD  CONCENTRATES, FOOD EXTRACTS, NUTRACEUTICALS, VITA-
 MINS, MINERALS,  AND  OTHER  NUTRITIONAL  SUPPLEMENTS  APPROVED  BY  THE
 DEPARTMENT  AS  BEING  APPROPRIATE TO, AND AS A PART OF, THE PRACTICE OF
 CHIROPRACTIC, AS THE ABOVE RELATES TO THE DEFINITION OF THE PRACTICE  OF
 CHIROPRACTIC IN SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION.
   3.  a.  A license to practice as a chiropractor SHALL PERMIT A CHIROP-
 RACTIC PRACTITIONER IN THEIR  PROFESSIONAL  DISCRETION  THE  ABILITY  TO
 TAKE,  ORDER  AND USE X-RAY AND DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING STUDIES BUT shall not
 permit the holder thereof to use  [radio-therapy,  fluoroscopy,  or  any
 form  of  ionizing  radiation  except  X-ray which shall be used for the
 detection of structural imbalance, distortion, or  subluxations  in  the
 human body] IONIZING RADIATION SOURCES FOR THE PURPOSES OF RADIOTHERAPY.
   b. The requirements and limitations with respect to the use of [X-ray]
 DIAGNOSTIC  IMAGING  STUDIES  by  chiropractors shall be enforced by the
 state commissioner of health and [he] THE COMMISSIONER is authorized  to
 promulgate  rules  and  regulations  after  conferring  with the [board]
 DEPARTMENT to carry out the purposes of this subdivision.
   c. Chiropractors shall retain for a period of three years  all  [X-ray
 films] DIAGNOSTIC IMAGES taken in the course of their practice, together
 with  the records pertaining thereto, and shall make such [films] IMAGES
 and records available to the state commissioner of health or [his] THEIR
 representative on demand.
   [3.] 4. CHIROPRACTORS MAY USE DIAGNOSTIC CLINICAL  LABORATORY  METHODS
 INVOLVING  CHEMICAL  OR  BIOLOGICAL  MEANS  WHICH  PARTICULAR  TESTS AND
 SERVICES SHALL BE APPROVED BY THE DEPARTMENT AS APPROPRIATE TO THE PRAC-
 TICE OF CHIROPRACTIC.
   5. A license to practice chiropractic  shall  not  permit  the  holder
 thereof  to  treat  for  any  infectious diseases such as pneumonia, any
 communicable diseases listed in the sanitary code of the  state  of  New
 York, any of the cardio-vascular-renal or cardio-pulmonary diseases, any
 surgical  condition  [of  the  abdomen  such  as  acute appendicitis, or
 diabetes], or any benign or malignant neoplasms; to operate;  to  reduce
 fractures  [or  dislocations]; to prescribe, administer, dispense or use
 in [his] THEIR practice drugs or medicines[; or  to  use  diagnostic  or
 therapeutic  methods involving chemical or biological means except diag-
 nostic services performed by clinical laboratories which services  shall
 be approved by the board as appropriate to the practice of chiropractic;
 or  to  utilize  electrical devices except those devices approved by the
 S. 5860--A                          3

 board as being appropriate to  the  practice  of  chiropractic.  Nothing
 herein  shall  be  construed to prohibit a licensed chiropractor who has
 successfully completed a registered doctoral  program  in  chiropractic,
 which contains courses of study in nutrition satisfactory to the depart-
 ment,  from  using  nutritional  counseling, including the dispensing of
 food concentrates, food extracts, vitamins, minerals, and  other  nutri-
 tional supplements approved by the board as being appropriate to, and as
 a  part of, his or her practice of chiropractic. Nothing herein shall be
 construed to prohibit an individual who is not subject to regulation  in
 this state as a licensed chiropractor from engaging in nutritional coun-
 seling.]  OR  CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES OR TO ADMINISTER OR USE ANESTHETICS.
 CHIROPRACTORS MAY USE TOPICAL ANALGESIC SUBSTANCES AND ANESTHETIC BALMS,
 SALVES OR EMOLLIENTS OR ADVISE ON OVER THE COUNTER SUBSTANCES.
   § 2. Section 6552 of the education law, as added by chapter 987 of the
 laws of 1971, is amended to read as follows:
   § 6552. Practice of chiropractic and use of  title  "chiropractor"  OR
 "DOCTOR  OF CHIROPRACTIC".  Only a person licensed [or exempt] OR OTHER-
 WISE AUTHORIZED under this article [shall] TO practice chiropractic [or]
 MAY use the title "chiropractor" OR "DOCTOR OF CHIROPRACTIC".
   § 3. Section 6553 of the education law, as added by chapter 987 of the
 laws of 1971, is amended to read as follows:
   § 6553. State board for chiropractic.  A state board for  chiropractic
 shall  be  appointed  by  the  board of regents on recommendation of the
 commissioner for the purpose of assisting the board of regents  and  the
 department on matters of professional licensing and professional conduct
 in  accordance with section sixty-five hundred eight of this title.  The
 board shall be composed of not less than [seven] EIGHT members,  includ-
 ing  [at  least four] SEVEN licensed chiropractors[, one licensed physi-
 cian who is a doctor of medicine, one licensed physician who is a doctor
 of osteopathy, and one educator who  holds  a  doctorate  or  equivalent
 degree in either anatomy, physiology, pathology, chemistry or microbiol-
 ogy]  IN  THIS  STATE FOR AT LEAST FIVE YEARS AND ONE PUBLIC MEMBER.  An
 executive secretary to the board shall be  appointed  by  the  board  of
 regents on recommendation of the commissioner.
   § 4. Section 6554 of the education law, as added by chapter 987 of the
 laws  of  1971,  subdivision  3 as amended by chapter 994 of the laws of
 1971, subdivision 6 as amended by chapter 669 of the laws of  2022,  and
 subdivision  8  as amended by chapter 62 of the laws of 1989, is amended
 to read as follows:
   § 6554. Requirements for a professional  license.  To  qualify  for  a
 license  as  a  chiropractor,  an  applicant shall fulfill the following
 requirements:
   (1) Application: file an application with the department;
   (2) Education: have received an education, including [two] THREE years
 OR NINETY SEMESTER HOURS OF CREDIT OR EQUIVALENT  TRIMESTER  OR  QUARTER
 HOURS  OF  CREDIT  of  preprofessional college study and completion of a
 [four-year resident program in chiropractic,]  PROGRAM  OF  CHIROPRACTIC
 EDUCATION OF NOT LESS THAN FOUR ACADEMIC YEARS, OR THE EQUIVALENT THERE-
 OF in accordance with the commissioner's regulations;
   (3)  Experience:  have  experience  satisfactory  to  the board and in
 accordance with the commissioner's regulations[:];
   (4) Examination: pass examinations satisfactory to the  board  and  in
 accordance  with the commissioner's regulations[, in clinical chiroprac-
 tic analysis, the practice of  chiropractic,  X-ray  as  it  relates  to
 chiropractic  analysis,  and examinations satisfactory to the department
 S. 5860--A                          4

 in anatomy, physiology, pathology, chemistry,  microbiology,  diagnosis,
 and the use and effect of X-ray] FOR THE PRACTICE OF CHIROPRACTIC;
   (5) Age: be at least twenty-one years of age;
   (6) Citizenship or immigration status: be a United States citizen or a
 noncitizen  lawfully  admitted  for  permanent  residence  in the United
 States;
   (7) Character: be of good moral character as determined by the depart-
 ment; and
   (8) Fees: pay a fee of one hundred seventy-five dollars to the depart-
 ment for [admission to a department conducted examination  and  for]  an
 initial  license  UPON  COMPLETION  AND PASSAGE OF A DEPARTMENT APPROVED
 EXAMINATION, a fee of eighty-five dollars for each reexamination, a  fee
 of  one  hundred  fifteen dollars for an initial license for persons not
 requiring admission to a department conducted examination, and a fee  of
 one hundred fifty-five dollars for each triennial registration period.
   §  5.  Section 6555 of the education law, as amended by chapter 537 of
 the laws of 1983, is amended to read as follows:
   § 6555. Exempt persons.  [Nothing in this article shall  be  construed
 to  affect or prevent a student enrolled in a college of chiropractic in
 this state from engaging in all phases of clinical practice under super-
 vision of a licensed chiropractor or physician in  a  curriculum  regis-
 tered  by  the  department.]  THE  FOLLOWING PERSONS UNDER THE FOLLOWING
 LIMITATIONS  MAY  PRACTICE  CHIROPRACTIC  WITHIN  THE  STATE  WITHOUT  A
 LICENSE:
   1. A STUDENT ENROLLED IN ANY ACCREDITED COLLEGE OF CHIROPRACTIC ENGAG-
 ING  IN  ALL PHASES OF CLINICAL PRACTICE UNDER SUPERVISION OF A LICENSED
 CHIROPRACTOR OR PHYSICIAN IN A CURRICULUM REGISTERED BY THE  DEPARTMENT;
 OR
   2.  A STUDENT WHO IS PERFORMING A CLINICAL EXTERNSHIP OR PRECEPTORSHIP
 IN A CHIROPRACTIC OFFICE OR CLINIC SETTING AND  WHO  IS  ENROLLED  IN  A
 CHIROPRACTIC  SCHOOL  WHICH  MEETS  THE  STANDARDS  SATISFACTORY  TO THE
 DEPARTMENT, PROVIDED SUCH PRACTICE IS UNDER THE DIRECT SUPERVISION OF  A
 LICENSED CHIROPRACTOR FOR A MAXIMUM PERIOD OF TWELVE MONTHS; OR
   3.  ANY CHIROPRACTOR AUTHORIZED TO PRACTICE CHIROPRACTIC WHILE TRAVEL-
 LING FROM ANOTHER  STATE  OR  COUNTRY  IN  WHICH  SUCH  CHIROPRACTOR  IS
 LICENSED, TO PROVIDE CHIROPRACTIC SERVICES DURING ANY EMERGENCY SERVICES
 ASSOCIATED  WITH  ANY  RESCUE,  RECOVERY  OR  HUMANITARIAN RELIEF EFFORT
 PROVIDED SUCH PRACTICE IS LIMITED TO THE ORGANIZED  EMERGENCY  SERVICES;
 OR
   4.  A  CHIROPRACTOR WHO IS NOT A RESIDENT OF THIS STATE WHO IS LEGALLY
 QUALIFIED TO PRACTICE IN THEIR STATE AND WHO IS TRAVELLING FROM  ANOTHER
 STATE  FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING CHIROPRACTIC SERVICES FOR A SPECIFIC
 PURPOSE OR EVENT OF LIMITED DURATION; OR
   5. ANY CHIROPRACTOR WHO IS LICENSED IN ANOTHER STATE  OR  COUNTRY  AND
 WHO  IS  MEETING  OR  COMMUNICATING WITH A CHIROPRACTOR LICENSED IN THIS
 STATE, FOR PURPOSES OF CONSULTATION, PROVIDED SUCH PRACTICE  IS  LIMITED
 TO SUCH CONSULTATION; OR
   6.  ANY  CHIROPRACTOR WHO IS LICENSED IN ANOTHER STATE OR COUNTRY, WHO
 IS VISITING A CHIROPRACTIC SCHOOL OR TEACHING FACILITY IN THIS STATE  TO
 RECEIVE  CHIROPRACTIC  INSTRUCTION FOR A PERIOD NOT TO EXCEED SIX MONTHS
 OR TO CONDUCT CHIROPRACTIC INSTRUCTION, PROVIDED SUCH PRACTICE IS LIMIT-
 ED TO SUCH INSTRUCTION  AND  IS  UNDER  THE  GENERAL  SUPERVISION  OF  A
 LICENSED CHIROPRACTOR; OR
   7. ANY CHIROPRACTOR WHO IS AUTHORIZED BY A FOREIGN GOVERNMENT TO PRAC-
 TICE  IN  RELATION  TO  ITS  DIPLOMATIC,  CONSULAR  OR  MARITIME STAFFS,
 PROVIDED SUCH PRACTICE IS LIMITED TO SUCH STAFFS; OR
 S. 5860--A                          5
 
   8. ANY COMMISSIONED CHIROPRACTIC OFFICER WHO IS SERVING IN THE  UNITED
 STATES  ARMED FORCES OR PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE OR ANY CHIROPRACTOR WHO IS
 EMPLOYED IN THE UNITED STATES  VETERANS  ADMINISTRATION,  PROVIDED  SUCH
 PRACTICE IS LIMITED TO SUCH SERVICE OR EMPLOYMENT.
   §  6.  Section 6556 of the education law is REPEALED and a new section
 6556 is added to read as follows:
   § 6556. LIMITED PERMITS. PERMITS LIMITED AS TO  ELIGIBILITY,  PRACTICE
 AND  DURATION, SHALL BE ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT TO ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS,
 AS FOLLOWS:
   1. ELIGIBILITY: THE FOLLOWING PERSONS SHALL BE ELIGIBLE FOR A  LIMITED
 PERMIT:
   A.  A  PERSON  WHO FULFILLS ALL REQUIREMENTS FOR A LICENSE AS A CHIRO-
 PRACTOR EXCEPT THOSE RELATING TO  THE  EXAMINATION  AND  CITIZENSHIP  OR
 PERMANENT RESIDENCE IN THE UNITED STATES;
   B.  A  LICENSED FOREIGN CHIROPRACTOR WHO MEETS GUIDELINES DEVELOPED IN
 ACCORDANCE WITH THE COMMISSIONER'S REGULATIONS;
   C. A LICENSED FOREIGN CHIROPRACTOR OR A FOREIGN INTERN WHO IS IN  THIS
 COUNTRY  ON  A NON-IMMIGRATION VISA FOR THE CONTINUATION OF CHIROPRACTIC
 STUDY WHO MEETS GUIDELINES DEVELOPED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE  COMMISSION-
 ER'S REGULATIONS;
   D.  ANY GRADUATE OF A CHIROPRACTIC SCHOOL WHICH MEETS STANDARDS SATIS-
 FACTORY TO THE DEPARTMENT, PROVIDED SUCH PRACTICE IS UNDER  THE  GENERAL
 SUPERVISION  OF  A  LICENSED CHIROPRACTOR FOR A MAXIMUM PERIOD OF TWELVE
 MONTHS FROM DATE OF GRADUATION.
   2. LIMIT OF PRACTICE. A PERMITTEE  SHALL  BE  AUTHORIZED  TO  PRACTICE
 CHIROPRACTIC  ONLY  UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF A LICENSED CHIROPRACTOR AND
 ONLY IN A LICENSED CHIROPRACTIC OFFICE OR CLINICAL SETTING.
   3. DURATION. A LIMITED PERMIT SHALL BE VALID FOR ONE YEAR.  A  LIMITED
 PERMIT MAY BE RENEWED ANNUALLY AT THE DISCRETION OF THE DEPARTMENT.
   4. FEES. THE FEE FOR EACH LIMITED PERMIT AND FOR EACH RENEWAL SHALL BE
 ONE HUNDRED FIVE DOLLARS.
   § 7. The education law is amended by adding a new section 6557 to read
 as follows:
   § 6557. SPECIAL PROVISIONS. 1. NON-LIABILITY OF LICENSED CHIROPRACTORS
 FOR  FIRST AID OR EMERGENCY TREATMENT.  NOTWITHSTANDING ANY INCONSISTENT
 PROVISION OF ANY GENERAL, SPECIAL OR LOCAL LAW, ANY LICENSED  CHIROPRAC-
 TOR WHO VOLUNTARILY AND WITHOUT THE EXPECTATION OF MONETARY COMPENSATION
 RENDERS  FIRST AID OR EMERGENCY TREATMENT AT THE SCENE OF AN ACCIDENT OR
 OTHER EMERGENCY, OUTSIDE A HOSPITAL, DOCTOR'S OFFICE OR ANY OTHER  PLACE
 HAVING  PROPER  AND NECESSARY CHIROPRACTIC EQUIPMENT, TO A PERSON WHO IS
 UNCONSCIOUS, ILL OR INJURED, SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR DAMAGES  FOR  INJU-
 RIES  ALLEGED  TO  HAVE BEEN SUSTAINED BY SUCH PERSON OR FOR DAMAGES FOR
 THE DEATH OF SUCH PERSON ALLEGED TO HAVE OCCURRED BY REASON OF AN ACT OR
 OMISSION IN THE RENDERING OF  SUCH  FIRST  AID  OR  EMERGENCY  TREATMENT
 UNLESS  IT  IS  ESTABLISHED  THAT  SUCH  INJURIES WERE OR SUCH DEATH WAS
 CAUSED BY GROSS NEGLIGENCE ON THE PART OF SUCH CHIROPRACTOR. NOTHING  IN
 THIS  SECTION  SHALL BE DEEMED OR CONSTRUED TO RELIEVE A LICENSED CHIRO-
 PRACTOR FROM LIABILITY FOR DAMAGES FOR INJURIES OR DEATH  CAUSED  BY  AN
 ACT  OR  OMISSION  ON THE PART OF A CHIROPRACTOR WHILE RENDERING PROFES-
 SIONAL SERVICES IN THE NORMAL AND ORDINARY COURSE OF THEIR PRACTICE.
   2. THIS ARTICLE SHALL NOT  BE  CONSTRUED  TO  AFFECT  OR  PREVENT  THE
 FOLLOWING:
   A. THE FURNISHING OF ANY ASSISTANCE IN AN EMERGENCY;
   B.  THE  CHIROPRACTOR  FROM BEING A PRIMARY PORTAL OF ENTRY HEALTHCARE
 PROVIDER.
 S. 5860--A                          6
 
   3. THERE SHALL BE NO MONETARY LIABILITY ON THE PART OF, AND  NO  CAUSE
 OF  ACTION  FOR  DAMAGES  SHALL  ARISE AGAINST, ANY PERSON, PARTNERSHIP,
 CORPORATION, FIRM, SOCIETY, OR OTHER ENTITY ON ACCOUNT OF  THE  COMMUNI-
 CATION  OF INFORMATION IN THE POSSESSION OF SUCH PERSON OR ENTITY, OR ON
 ACCOUNT  OF  ANY  RECOMMENDATION OR EVALUATION, REGARDING THE QUALIFICA-
 TIONS, FITNESS, OR PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT OR PRACTICES OF A  CHIROPRACTOR,
 TO  ANY GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY, CHIROPRACTIC SOCIETY, A HOSPITAL AS DEFINED
 IN ARTICLE TWENTY-EIGHT OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH LAW, A HOSPITAL AS  DEFINED
 IN  SUBDIVISION  TEN  OF  SECTION  1.03  OF THE MENTAL HYGIENE LAW, OR A
 HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATION ORGANIZED UNDER  ARTICLE  FORTY-FOUR  OF
 THE  PUBLIC  HEALTH  LAW  OR  ARTICLE  FORTY-THREE OF THE INSURANCE LAW,
 INCLUDING A COMMITTEE OF AN INDIVIDUAL PRACTICE ASSOCIATION  OR  MEDICAL
 GROUP  ACTING PURSUANT TO A CONTRACT WITH A HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZA-
 TION. THE FOREGOING SHALL NOT APPLY TO INFORMATION WHICH IS  UNTRUE  AND
 COMMUNICATED WITH MALICIOUS INTENT.
   § 8.  This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeed-
 ing the date on which it shall have become a law.