Senate approves bill clarifying dry‑needling practice, training and advertising rules

Senate Bill 411, offered by the Health and Human Services Committee as a substitute, clarifies the authorized performance of dry needling by certain licensed professionals, distinguishes it from acupuncture practice, sets training and education requirements, and restricts representations and advertisements regarding the practice.

Sponsor Senator Still told colleagues the substitute resulted from months of compromise and stakeholder input. He said the measure "brings PTs and OTs on the same page in the act of dry needling," clarifies differences with acupuncture in traditional Chinese medicine, and includes lines addressing private causes of action. The sponsor said the Georgia Medical Association and other groups participated in drafting the final language.

Several senators asked whether prior opposition had been resolved; Still replied stakeholders were integral to drafting and that concerns had been addressed. The Senate adopted the committee substitute, agreed to the committee report and passed the bill by substitute on a recorded vote of Ayes 49, Nays 2.

The passage updates statutory language in OCGA Title 43 related to professions and businesses and establishes training and disciplinary provisions for practitioners who perform dry needling.