Committee approves bill clarifying licensure exemption for traditional healers, 4–1

The Senate Business and Labor Committee voted 4–1 on Feb. 25 to favorably recommend House Bill 277, which clarifies that individuals providing traditional healing services within a defined scope are exempt from state licensure requirements.

Representative Fitzmaud told the committee the measure is intended to protect cultural wellness practices—such as smudging, traditional ceremonies and other community-based healing—and to make clear traditional healing does not authorize clinical diagnosis or prescribing of controlled substances. Professor Yvette Romero Coronado, who testified in support, described personal and professional reasons to protect access to traditional medicine and said the bill would reduce reluctance among community members to share traditional-care practices with clinical providers.

The committee discussed whether the Department of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL) had received complaints; DOPL assistant director Deborah Blackburn said DOPL had not seen complaints against legitimate traditional healers, that DOPL was neutral on the bill and was comfortable with the bill's rule-writing authority to refine implementation.

Senator Wiley moved to favorably recommend the bill; Senator Musselman recorded a negative/hold. The motion passed 4-1 and the bill will move to the Senate floor.

Next steps: HB277 will proceed to the full Senate with the committee recommendation.