Committee advances HB 223 to define naturopathic scope and create state board amid safety concerns

The Health & Human Services Committee voted to report HB 223, a strike‑all bill from Representative Smith that defines the scope of practice for naturopathic physicians in Florida, establishes licensure requirements and creates a Board of Naturopathic Physicians for oversight.

Representative Smith said the bill ‘‘does not create naturopathic doctors in Florida’’ and that its three core elements are defining scope, setting licensure (graduates who pass a two‑part national exam and clear background checks), and creating a regulatory board that includes two medical doctors to guard against scope creep. The sponsor described the bill as a framework for oversight.

Opponents voiced safety concerns. Jan Bellamy, an attorney appearing in opposition, told the committee the bill would allow naturopathic doctors to ‘‘diagnose and treat any disease or condition in any patient of any age, full stop, without collaboration with the patient's physician,’’ and warned that many proposed remedies in naturopathic practice lack FDA approval and broad insurer coverage. Medical associations including the Florida Osteopathic Medical Association and the Florida Medical Association registered opposition or concerns.

Proponents, including the Florida Naturopathic Physicians Association, said licensure and board oversight are appropriate. Public commenter Larry Downes Jr. argued against what he characterized as protectionism from conventional medical groups.

After public testimony and the sponsor's closing remarks, the committee reported the bill favorably as amended (roll-call announced in committee: 17 yays, 4 nays). The bill will proceed to the House calendar; sponsors and opponents said further debate and technical amendments are possible on the floor.

Quote attribution in this article is drawn only from speakers who spoke in the committee record.