Законодатели Калифорнии отклонили спорный закон, дававший натуропатам право лечить работников

California lawmakers have dropped a controversial proposal that would have allowed naturopaths to serve as primary treating physicians in the workers compensation system. Sen. Aisha Wahab, D-Hayward, on Tuesday accepted amendments recommended by the Assembly Committee on Business and Professions that removed provisions from S.B. 1303 expanding the scope of practice for naturopathic doctors. The committee voted 17-0 to advance the amended bill to the Assembly floor. Sen. Wahab had amended the bill Aug. 20 to add naturopathic doctors to the definition of “physician” under Labor Code Section 3209.3. The change would have allowed them to serve as primary treating physicians in workers comp cases, including coordinating medical treatment, determining work restrictions and deciding when an injured worker reached maximum medical improvement. Other provisions would have allowed naturopathic doctors to certify disability on Department of Motor Vehicles forms, perform additional procedures and prescribe Schedule II controlled substances. The changes drew opposition from employer, insurance and medical organizations, including the California Coalition on Workers’ Compensation, California Chamber of Commerce, American Property Casualty Insurance Association, California Medical Association and California Orthopaedic Association. Other opponents included the California State Association of Counties, California Association of Joint Powers Authorities and Public Risk Innovation Solutions and Management, a public employer risk pool. Representatives for organizations that opposed the expanded bill told lawmakers Tuesday that they appreciated the changes and would withdraw their opposition after the revised measure is printed. Assemblyman Marc Berman, D-Menlo Park, chairman of the Assembly Committee on Business and Professions, said the controversial amendments had been removed. Speaking on Sen. Wahab’s behalf, Mr. Berman said she had agreed to remove “100% of the language recently added to the bill relating to scope of practice.” An amended version was not immediately available, but the recast measure is expected to more closely resemble the original bill, which would authorize the California Board of Naturopathic Medicine to continue operating through 2031 and make changes to some board processes. A committee analysis said proposals to expand naturopaths’ scope of practice had been discussed for months but the amendments were introduced too late in the legislative session to allow adequate consideration, particularly given the significant opposition. The analysis said arguments could be made for expanding naturopaths’ authority but that the proposals would benefit from further discussion on a less accelerated timeline. California’s 2026 legislative session adjourns Monday. WorkCompCentral is a sister publication of Business Insurance. More stories here.