ALLOW AURICULAR ACUPUNCTURE

SB 229 amends New Mexico law to allow physicians licensed under the Medical Practice Act to perform auricular acupuncture (ear acupuncture) as part of their existing scope of practice, without needing separate acupuncture licensure. It also creates a new certification for non-physicians to provide auricular acupuncture specifically for treating alcoholism, substance abuse, or chemical dependency, requiring completion of approved training, clean needle technique, and background checks. Certified specialists must work under supervision of a licensed doctor of oriental medicine and adhere to board-approved protocols for substance abuse treatment. The bill establishes fees for certification, renewal, and program approvals, and requires certified specialists to use the title "Certified Auricular Detoxification Specialist" (C.A.D.S.). This directly affects physicians, certified specialists, and substance abuse treatment programs in New Mexico.