Whereas, an opinion of the Department of the Attorney General dated February 18, 1999 concludes that acupuncture is not within the scope of chiropractic practice; and

Whereas, this opinion has created considerable confusion as to whether chiropractors may continue to use acupuncture as a method of treatment; and

Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 32 MRSA §451, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 1983, c. 113, §1, is amended to read:

1. Chiropractic. "Chiropractic" means the art and science of identification and correction of subluxation and the accompanying physiological or mechanical abnormalities. The term subluxation, as utilized within the chiropractic health care system, means a structural or functional impairment of an intact articular unit. "Chiropractic" includes chiropractic acupuncture. Chiropractic recognizes the inherent recuperative capability of the human body as it relates to the spinal column, musculo-skeletal and nervous system.

Sec. 2. 32 MRSA §451, sub-§1-A is enacted to read:

1-A.__Chiropractic acupuncture.__"Chiropractic acupuncture" means the insertion of acupuncture needles through the skin at specific points.__It is a chiropractic methodology used for the correction of the soft tissue components contributing to subluxation and the accompanying physiological or mechanical abnormalties.

Sec. 3. 32 MRSA §502, first ¶, as repealed and replaced by 1991, c. 392, §3, is amended to read:

The board shall meet at least twice each year at such times and places as its chair may designate to consider applications, examine applicants and consider such other business as may properly come before the board. At its first meeting in each calendar year, the board shall elect one of its members as chair