97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2011 and 2012
SB3922

 

Introduced 5/25/2012, by Sen. Iris Y. Martinez

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
New Act

    Creates the Naturopathic Medical Practice Act. Provides for the regulation of naturopathic physicians through licensure by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Establishes the Board of Naturopathic Medicine. Sets forth provisions concerning licensure, scope of practice, duties of the Department, and administrative procedure.


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CORRECTIONAL BUDGET AND IMPACT NOTE ACT MAY APPLY
FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

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1    AN ACT concerning regulation.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 1. Short Title. This Act may be cited as the
5Naturopathic Medical Practice Act.
 
6    Section 5. Purpose. The practice of naturopathic medicine
7in the State of Illinois is declared to affect the public
8health, safety, and welfare and to be subject to regulation and
9control in the public interest. It is further declared to be a
10matter of public interest and concern that naturopathic
11physicians and the practice of naturopathic medicine, as
12defined in this Act, merit and receive the confidence of the
13public, that only qualified persons be authorized to practice
14naturopathic medicine in the State of Illinois, and that no
15person shall practice naturopathic medicine without a valid
16existing license to do so. The General Assembly recognizes that
17naturopathic physicians are a distinct health care profession
18that affects the public health, safety, and welfare and
19increases freedom of choice in health care. This Act shall be
20liberally construed to best carry out these subjects and
21purposes.
 
22    Section 10. Definitions. In this Act:

 

 

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1    "Approved naturopathic medical program" means any of the
2following:
3        (1) a naturopathic medical education program in the
4    United States accredited by the Council on Naturopathic
5    Medical Education, or an equivalent federally recognized
6    accrediting body for the naturopathic medical profession
7    recognized by the Board, that offers graduate-level
8    full-time didactic and supervised clinical training
9    leading to the degree of Doctor of Naturopathy or Doctor of
10    Naturopathic Medicine and is part of an institution of
11    higher education that is either accredited or is a
12    candidate for accreditation by a regional institutional
13    accrediting agency recognized by the United States
14    Secretary of Education;
15        (2) a full-time structured curriculum, having been not
16    less than 132 weeks in duration, requiring completion
17    within a period of not less than 35 months, and offered
18    prior to the existence of the CNME, in basic sciences and
19    supervised patient care comprising a doctoral naturopathic
20    medical education offered by a degree-granting college or
21    university that is reputable and in good standing in the
22    judgment of the Board; or
23        (3) a full-time structured curriculum, having been not
24    less than 132 weeks in duration and requiring completion
25    within a period of not less than 35 months, in basic
26    sciences and supervised patient care comprising a doctoral

 

 

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1    naturopathic medical education offered by a degree or
2    diploma-granting college or university in Canada that is
3    reputable and in good standing in the judgment of the Board
4    and has provincial approval for participation in
5    government funded student aid programs; such course, as a
6    prerequisite to graduation therefrom.
7    "Board" means the Board of Naturopathic Medicine appointed
8by the Secretary.
9    "CNME" means the Council on Naturopathic Medical
10Education.
11    "Department" means the Department of Financial and
12Professional Regulation.
13    "Naturopathic formulary" means the list of natural
14medicines and nonprescription medicines that naturopathic
15physicians use in the practice of the profession. This includes
16dietary supplements, herbal products, homeopathic medicines
17manufactured according to the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the
18United States, and topical agents of natural origin.
19    "Naturopathic medicine" means a system of primary health
20care for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of human
21health conditions, injury, and disease; the promotion or
22restoration of health; and the support and stimulation of a
23patient's inherent self-healing processes through patient
24education and the use of natural therapies, physical medicine,
25and therapeutic substances.
26    "Naturopathic physician" means a practitioner of

 

 

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1naturopathic medicine who has been properly licensed for that
2purpose by the Department under this Act. "Naturopathic
3physician" includes all titles and designations associated
4with the practice of naturopathic medicine, including, "doctor
5of naturopathic medicine", "doctor of naturopathy",
6"naturopathic doctor", "naturopath", "doctor of naturopathic
7medicine", "doctor of naturopathy", "naturopathic medical
8doctor", "N.D.", "ND", "N.M.D", and "NMD".
9    "Naturopathic residency" means a post-graduate medical
10education program approved by the Council on Naturopathic
11Medical Education, a subcommittee thereof, or an equivalent
12agency, as recognized by the Board, that provides a structured
13curriculum with diagnosis and management of patients under
14appropriate levels of supervision for graduates of an approved
15naturopathic medical program.
16    "Secretary" means the Secretary of Financial and
17Professional Regulation.
 
18    Section 15. Exemption from civil liability. Exemption from
19civil liability for emergency care is as provided in the Good
20Samaritan Act.
21    While serving upon any professional utilization committee,
22professional review organization, peer review committee,
23mediation committee, board of Secretaries considering matters
24of peer review, or review committee sanctioned by the
25profession, a person shall not be liable for civil damages as a

 

 

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1result of his or her acts, omissions, or decisions in
2connection with his or her duties on such committees or boards,
3except in cases involving willful or wanton misconduct.
 
4    Section 20. Exceptions.
5    (a) This Act does not prohibit or restrict any of the
6following:
7        (1) Any person licensed to practice medicine in all of
8    its branches under the Medical Practice Act of 1987 who
9    engages in the practice for which he or she is licensed.
10        (2) The practice of a profession by individuals who are
11    licensed, certified, or registered under the laws of this
12    State who are performing services within their authorized
13    scope of practice.
14        (3) The practice of naturopathic medicine by an
15    individual employed by the government of the United States
16    while the individual is engaged in the performance of
17    duties prescribed by the laws and regulations of the United
18    States.
19        (4) The practice of naturopathic medicine by students
20    enrolled in an approved naturopathic medical college. The
21    performance of services shall be pursuant to a course of
22    instruction or assignments from an instructor and under the
23    supervision of the instructor, who shall be a naturopathic
24    physician licensed under this Act or a duly licensed
25    professional in the instructed field.

 

 

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1        (5) Any person treating himself or herself or his or
2    her family members based on religious or health beliefs.
3        (6) Any person who sells vitamins and herbs who
4    provides information about such products.
5        (7) Any person or practitioner who recommends any
6    therapy that is within the scope of practice of
7    naturopathic physicians and that is within that
8    individual's legal rights or scope of practice granted by
9    the existing laws of this State.
10    (b) This Act shall not be construed to prohibit the
11practice of naturopathic medicine by persons who are licensed
12to practice naturopathic medicine in any other state or
13district in the United States who enter this State to consult
14with a naturopathic physician licensed under this Act;
15provided, however, that the consultation is limited to
16examination, recommendation, or testimony in litigation.
 
17    Section 25. Title and designation.
18    (a) Licensees shall use the title "naturopathic physician"
19and the recognized abbreviation "N.D.".
20    (b) Naturopathic physicians shall have the exclusive right
21to use the terms: "naturopathic physician", "naturopathic
22doctor", "naturopath", "doctor of naturopathic medicine",
23"doctor of naturopathy", "naturopathic medical doctor",
24"naturopathic medicine", "naturopathic health care",
25"naturopathy", "N.D.", "ND", "N.M.D." and "NMD".

 

 

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1    (c) No person shall represent himself or herself to the
2public as a naturopathic physician, a doctor of naturopathic
3medicine, a doctor of naturopathy, or as being otherwise
4authorized to practice naturopathic medicine in this State
5without first obtaining from the Department a license to
6practice naturopathic medicine under this Act.
7    (d) The titles and designations set forth in this Section
8identify naturopathic physicians and are restricted to
9describing and identifying licensed practitioners.
 
10    Section 30. Powers and duties of the Department and the
11Secretary.
12    (a) The Department shall exercise the powers and duties
13prescribed by the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois for the
14administration of licensing acts and shall exercise such other
15powers and duties conferred by this Act.
16    (b) The Department may adopt rules consistent with the
17provisions of this Act, for the administration and enforcement
18thereof and may prescribe forms that shall be issued in
19connection therewith.
20    (c) The Department shall adopt the competency-based
21national examination approved by the Board as the naturopathic
22licensing examination.
23    (d) The Secretary shall consider the recommendations of the
24Board on questions involving standards of professional
25conduct, discipline, and qualifications of candidates and

 

 

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1licensees under this Act.
2    (e) The Department may, at any time, seek the expert advice
3and knowledge of the Board on any matter relating to the
4administration or enforcement of this Act. Notice of proposed
5rulemaking shall be transmitted to the Board and the Department
6shall review the response of the Board and any recommendations
7made in response.
8    (f) The Secretary shall issue licenses, and renewals
9thereof, to all persons who meet the qualifications for
10licensure as determined by the Board.
11    (g) The Department shall establish rules for continuing
12education as recommended by the Board.
13    (h) The Secretary shall consult the Board on matters
14involving all of the following:
15        (1) The qualifications of candidates who apply for
16    licensure to practice naturopathic medicine in Illinois.
17        (2) The content of any clinical, practical, or
18    residency requirement.
19        (3) The content of rules and proposed rules governing
20    the practice of naturopathic medicine in Illinois.
21        (4) The investigation of complaints from naturopathic
22    physicians and the public and the technical aspects of the
23    complaint.
24        (5) The requirements for issuance and renewal of
25    naturopathic medical licenses.
 

 

 

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1    Section 35. Naturopathic Medical Licensing Board.
2    (a) There is hereby created the Naturopathic Medical
3Licensing Board, which shall consist of 7 members appointed by
4the Secretary, 5 of whom shall be licensed naturopathic
5physicians who are in good standing in this State, are
6residents of this State, and have been engaged in the practice
7or instruction of naturopathic medicine for at least 3 years
8and 2 of whom shall be residents of this State who are not, and
9never have been, licensed health care practitioners and hold no
10interest in naturopathic education, naturopathic business, or
11naturopathic practice.
12    (b) The Secretary shall take into consideration
13recommendations from the Illinois Association of Naturopathic
14Physicians in determining the names of naturopathic physicians
15eligible to serve on the Board.
16    (c) Members shall serve for terms of 4 years and shall
17serve until a successor is appointed, except that, for the
18purpose of staggering terms, the Secretary shall initially
19appoint to the Board 3 members for terms of 4 years each, 2
20members for terms of 3 years each, and 2 members for terms of 2
21years each.
22    (d) Appointments to fill vacancies shall be made in the
23same manner as original appointments, for the unexpired portion
24of the vacated term.
25    (e) The Secretary may remove any member of the Board for
26cause prior to the expiration of the member's term.

 

 

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1    (f) The Board, within 30 days after its appointment, and at
2least annually thereafter, shall hold a meeting and elect a
3chairperson and vice-chairperson. The Board may hold
4additional meetings at the call of the chair or at the written
5request of any 2 members of the Board. The Board may appoint
6committees as it deems necessary to carry out its duties.
7    (g) A majority of the Board shall constitute a quorum. A
8vacancy in the membership of the Board shall not impair the
9right of the quorum to exercise the rights and perform all of
10the duties of the Board.
11    (h) Members of the Board shall be immune from suit in any
12action based upon any disciplinary proceedings or other
13activities performed in good faith as members of the Board.
14    (i) The members of the Board shall each receive as
15compensation a reasonable sum as determined by the Secretary
16for each day actually engaged in the duties of office and all
17legitimate and necessary expenses incurred in attending the
18meetings of the Board.
 
19    Section 40. Duties of the Board.
20    (a) The Board may recommend such rules as are necessary to
21carry out the purposes of this Act and recommend disciplinary
22action as provided for under this Act.
23    (b) The Board shall determine the qualifications of persons
24applying for licensure and define, by rule, the appropriate
25scope of naturopathic medicine in this State, provided however,

 

 

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1that the scope of practice may not exceed that defined in this
2Act.
3    (c) The Board shall review the content of rules and
4proposed rules governing the practice of naturopathic medicine
5in Illinois.
6    (d) The Board shall evaluate the content of any clinical,
7practical, or residency requirement.
8    (e) The Board shall establish, by rule, examination
9standards, dates, and locations.
10    (f) The Board shall recommend the minimum amount and type
11of continuing education to be required for each naturopathic
12physician seeking licensure renewal.
 
13    Section 45. Formulary. The naturopathic formulary may not
14go beyond the scope of natural medicines, devices covered by
15approved naturopathic education and training, and existing
16naturopathic formularies or continuing education approved by
17the Board.
18    The naturopathic formulary shall not include medicines and
19devices that are inconsistent with the training provided by
20approved naturopathic medical programs.
21    Nothing in this Act shall allow a naturopathic physician to
22dispense, administer, or prescribe any legend drug or device as
23defined in the Illinois Controlled Substance Act.
 
24    Section 55. Qualifications for licensure. Applicants for a

 

 

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1license to practice naturopathic medicine under this Act must
2submit the following to the Board:
3        (1) an application for licensure designed and approved
4    by the Department;
5        (2) an application fee established by the Department;
6        (3) documentation attesting to the applicant's good,
7    ethical, and professional reputation;
8        (4) evidence that the applicant is a graduate of an
9    approved naturopathic medical program, in accordance with
10    the requirements of this Act, and that he or she has
11    successfully passed a competency-based national
12    naturopathic licensing examination administered by the
13    North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners or an
14    equivalent agency, as recognized by the Board; and
15        (5) in the case of graduates of degree-granting
16    approved naturopathic medical programs, evidence of
17    successful passage of a State competency examination
18    approved by the Board or a Canadian provincial examination.
 
19    Section 60. Scope of practice.
20    (a) A naturopathic physician may order and perform physical
21and laboratory examinations consistent with naturopathic
22education and training, for diagnostic purposes, including,
23but not limited to, phlebotomy, clinical laboratory tests,
24orificial examinations, and physiological function tests.
25    (b) A naturopathic physician may order diagnostic imaging

 

 

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1studies consistent with naturopathic training.
2    (c) A naturopathic physician may dispense, administer,
3order, and prescribe or perform any of the following:
4        (1) Food, extracts of food, nutraceuticals, vitamins,
5    amino acids, minerals, enzymes, botanicals and their
6    extracts, botanical medicines, homeopathic medicines, all
7    dietary supplements, and nonprescription drugs, as defined
8    by the federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
9        (2) Hot or cold hydrotherapy, naturopathic physical
10    medicine, electromagnetic energy, colon hydrotherapy, and
11    therapeutic exercise.
12        (3) Devices, including, but not limited to,
13    therapeutic devices, barrier contraception, and durable
14    medical equipment.
15        (4) Health education and health counseling.
16        (5) Musculoskeletal manipulation consistent with
17    naturopathic education and training, not to exceed level 4
18    high velocity manipulation.
19    (d) A naturopathic physician may utilize routes of
20administration that include oral, nasal, auricular, ocular,
21rectal, vaginal, intramuscular, subcutaneous, and transdermal
22and are consistent with the education and training of a
23naturopathic physician.
 
24    Section 65. Prohibitions. A naturopathic physician
25licensed under this Act may not do any of the following:

 

 

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1        (1) Prescribe, dispense, or administer any
2    prescription or controlled substance or device identified
3    in the federal Controlled Substance Act, as amended.
4        (2) Perform surgical procedures.
5        (3) Practice or claim to practice as a medical doctor,
6    osteopath, dentist, podiatrist, optometrist, psychologist,
7    advanced practice professional nurse, physician assistant,
8    chiropractor, physical therapist, acupuncturist, or any
9    other health care professional not authorized under this
10    Act, unless licensed to do so.
11        (4) Use general or spinal anesthetics.
12        (5) Administer ionizing radioactive substances for
13    therapeutic purposes.
14        (6) Perform surgical procedures using a laser device.
15        (7) Perform surgical procedures involving the eye,
16    ear, tendons, nerves, veins, or arteries extending beyond
17    superficial tissue.
18        (8) Induce or perform abortions.
19        (9) Treat any lesion suspicious of malignancy or
20    requiring surgical removal. Lesions suspicious of
21    malignancy or requiring surgical removal shall be referred
22    to an appropriately licensed health care professional.
23    Nothing in this Act shall prohibit treatment of a person
24    with suspicious or malignant lesions in collaboration with
25    a physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its
26    branches.

 

 

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1        (10) Perform acupuncture, unless licensed as an
2    acupuncturist, as defined in the Acupuncture Practice Act.
 
3    Section 70. Licensure without examination. The Department
4may issue a license without examination to any applicant who
5submits an application for licensure, together with the
6appropriate fee, and proof acceptable to the Department of
7current licensure in good standing in another state, the
8District of Columbia, or a territory of the United States whose
9standards for licensure are at least equivalent to those of
10this State.
11    Any applicant seeking a license without examination under
12this Section shall provide proof of licensure in good standing
13in all states in which he or she is licensed.
 
14    Section 75. License expiration; renewal. The expiration
15date and renewal period for each license issued under this Act
16shall be set by rule. The Department shall adopt rules for
17continuing education required for the renewal of licenses.
 
18    Section 80. Fees. The fees assessed under this Act shall be
19determined by rule. All fees and fines collected under this Act
20shall be deposited into the General Professions Dedicated Fund.
21All moneys in the Fund shall be used by the Department, as
22appropriated, for the ordinary and contingent expenses of the
23Department.
 

 

 

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1    Section 85. Mandated reporting.
2    (a) The following persons shall report to the Department,
3in writing and within 30 days after becoming aware of such
4information, any information that the person has reason to
5believe indicates that a naturopathic physician is or may be
6medically or legally incompetent, engaged in the unauthorized
7practice of naturopathic medicine, guilty of unprofessional
8conduct, or mentally or physically unable to engage safely in
9the practice of naturopathic medicine:
10        (1) naturopathic physicians licensed under this Act;
11        (2) licensed health care providers;
12        (3) employees of licensed health care institutions in
13    the State;
14        (4) State agency employees; and
15        (5) State law enforcement personnel.
16    (b) A naturopathic physician's voluntary resignation from
17the staff of a health care institution, voluntary limitation of
18staff privileges, or failure to reapply for hospital privileges
19at such an institution, shall be promptly reported to the
20Department by the health care institution and the licensee, if
21such action occurs while the licensee is under investigation by
22the institution or a committee thereof for any reason related
23to possible medical incompetence, unprofessional conduct, or
24mental or physical impairment.
25    (c) Upon receiving a credible complaint or report

 

 

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1concerning a licensee, or on its own motion, the Department may
2investigate any evidence of a licensee's medical incompetence,
3unprofessional conduct, or inability to engage safely in the
4practice of medicine due to mental or physical illness.
5    (d) Any person, institution, agency, or organization
6required to report under this Section who does so in good faith
7shall not be subject to civil damages or criminal prosecution
8for so reporting.
9    (e) Within 10 days after receipt of a report mandated under
10this Section, the Secretary shall acknowledge receipt of all
11reports and any complaint against a licensee submitted to the
12Department. Within 10 days thereafter, the Secretary shall
13inform any person or entity whose report or complaint has
14resulted in action by the Department, of the final disposition
15of the matter.
16    (f) Any person or entity who fails to make a report as
17mandated under this Section may be assessed by the Secretary,
18in his or her discretion and after consultation with the Board,
19a civil penalty. Assessment of a civil penalty pursuant to this
20subsection shall be supported by substantial evidence and may
21be appealed to the circuit court. On appeal, the circuit court
22may receive any relevant evidence supporting or opposing the
23assessment and may affirm or reverse the Secretary's decision.
 
24    Section 90. Refusal of licensure.
25    (a) The Department may refuse to issue or renew a license

 

 

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1on any of the following grounds:
2        (1) The conviction of a felony, a criminal conviction
3    record, or a pending criminal charge relating to an
4    offense, the circumstances of which substantially relate
5    to the practice of naturopathic medicine.
6        (2) Impairment related to drugs or alcohol that would
7    limit an applicant's ability to undertake the practice of
8    naturopathic medicine in a manner consistent with the
9    safety of the public.
10        (3) Mental incompetence that impairs an applicant's
11    ability to undertake the practice of naturopathic medicine
12    in a manner consistent with the safety of the public, as
13    determined by a physician.
14    (b) The Department shall not reinstate the license of a
15naturopathic physician until such time as the Department is
16satisfied that such person has complied with all the terms and
17conditions set forth in the final order and that such person is
18capable of safely engaging in the practice of naturopathic
19medicine.
 
20    Section 95. Disciplinary action. The following acts
21constitute grounds for denial of a license or disciplinary
22action:
23        (1) Attempting to obtain, obtaining, or renewing a
24    license to practice naturopathic medicine by bribery, or by
25    fraudulent misrepresentation.

 

 

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1        (2) Having a license to practice naturopathic medicine
2    revoked, suspended, or otherwise acted against, including
3    the denial of licensure, by the licensing authority of
4    another state, territory, or country.
5        (3) Being convicted or found guilty, regardless of
6    adjudication, of a crime in any jurisdiction which directly
7    relates to the practice of naturopathic medicine or to the
8    ability to practice naturopathic medicine. Any plea of nolo
9    contendere shall be considered a conviction for purposes of
10    this Act.
11        (4) False, deceptive, or misleading advertising.
12        (5) Advertising, practicing, or attempting to practice
13    under a name other than one's own.
14        (6) Aiding, assisting, procuring, or advising any
15    unlicensed person to practice naturopathic medicine
16    contrary to this Act or a rule of the Department or the
17    Board.
18        (7) Making or filing a report which the licensee knows
19    to be false, intentionally or negligently failing to file a
20    report or record required by State or federal law, or
21    willfully impeding or obstructing such filing or inducing
22    another person to do so. Such reports or records shall
23    include only those which are signed in the capacity as a
24    licensed naturopathic physician.
25        (8) Paying or receiving any commission, bonus,
26    kickback, or rebate, or engaging in any split-fee

 

 

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1    arrangement in any form whatsoever with a physician,
2    organization, agency, or person, either directly or
3    indirectly, for patients referred to providers of health
4    care goods and services, including, but not limited to,
5    hospitals, nursing homes, clinical laboratories,
6    ambulatory surgical centers, or pharmacies. The provisions
7    of this paragraph shall not be construed to prevent a
8    doctor of naturopathic medicine or naturopathic physician
9    from receiving a fee for professional consultation
10    services.
11        (9) Exercising influence within a patient-physician
12    relationship for the purposes of engaging a patient in
13    sexual activity. A patient shall be presumed to be
14    incapable of giving free, full, and informed consent to
15    sexual activity with her or his naturopathic physician.
16        (10) Failing to keep written medical records
17    justifying the course of treatment of the patient,
18    including, but not limited to, patient histories,
19    examination results, test results, imaging results, and
20    records of the prescribing, dispensing, and administering
21    of drugs.
22        (11) Gross or repeated malpractice or the failure to
23    practice naturopathic medicine with that level of care,
24    skill, and treatment that is recognized by a reasonably
25    prudent similarly situated naturopathic physician as being
26    acceptable under similar conditions and circumstances.

 

 

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1        (12) Delegating professional responsibilities to a
2    person while knowing or having reason to know that the
3    person is not qualified by training, experience, or
4    licensure to perform such responsibilities.
5        (13) Violating any provision of this Act or any rules
6    adopted pursuant to this Act.
7        (14) Selling, fraudulently obtaining, or furnishing
8    any naturopathic diploma, license, record, or registration
9    or aiding or abetting in the same.
10        (15) Practicing naturopathic medicine under the cover
11    of any diploma, license, record, or registration illegally
12    or fraudulently obtained or secured or issued unlawfully or
13    upon fraudulent representations.
14        (16) Advertising the practice of naturopathic medicine
15    under a name other than one's own or under an assumed name.
16        (17) Falsely impersonating another practitioner of a
17    like or different name.
18        (18) Practicing or advertising the practice of
19    naturopathic medicine or using in connection with one's own
20    name any designation tending to imply or to designate a
21    person as a practitioner of naturopathic medicine without
22    then being lawfully licensed and authorized to practice
23    naturopathic medicine in this State.
24        (19) Practicing naturopathic medicine under a
25    suspended or revoked license.
 

 

 

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1    Section 100. Returned checks; fines. Any person who
2delivers a check or other payment to the Department that is
3returned to the Department unpaid by the financial institution
4upon which it is drawn shall pay to the Department, in addition
5to the amount already owed to the Department, a fine of $50.
6The fines imposed by this Section are in addition to any other
7discipline provided under this Act for unlicensed practice or
8practice on a nonrenewed license. The Department shall notify
9the person that fees and fines shall be paid to the Department
10by certified check or money order within 30 calendar days of
11the notification. If, after the expiration of 30 days after the
12date of the notification, the person has failed to submit the
13necessary remittance, the Department shall automatically
14terminate the license or deny the application, without hearing.
15If, after termination or denial, the person seeks a license, he
16or she shall apply to the Department for restoration or
17issuance of the license and pay all fees and fines due to the
18Department. The Department may establish a fee for the
19processing of an application for restoration of a license to
20defray all expenses of processing the application. The
21Secretary may waive the fines due under this Section in
22individual cases where the Secretary finds that the fines would
23be unreasonable or unnecessarily burdensome.
 
24    Section 105. Injunctions; cease and desist orders.
25    (a) If any person violates any provision of this Act, the

 

 

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1Secretary may, in the name of the People of the State of
2Illinois, through the Attorney General of the State of Illinois
3or the State's Attorney of any county in which the action is
4brought, petition for an order enjoining the violation or for
5an order enforcing compliance with this Act. Upon the filing of
6a verified petition in court, the court may issue a temporary
7restraining order, without notice or bond, and may
8preliminarily and permanently enjoin the violation. If it is
9established that the person has violated or is violating the
10injunction, the Court may punish the offender for contempt of
11court. Proceedings under this Section shall be in addition to,
12and not in lieu of, all other remedies and penalties provided
13by this Act.
14    (b) If any person practices as a naturopathic physician or
15holds himself or herself out as a naturopathic physician
16without being licensed under the provisions of this Act then
17any licensed naturopathic physician, any interested party, or
18any person injured thereby may, in addition to the Secretary,
19petition for relief as provided in subsection (a) of this
20Section.
21    (c) Whenever in the opinion of the Department any person
22violates any provision of this Act, the Department may issue a
23rule to show cause why an order to cease and desist should not
24be entered against that person. The rule shall clearly set
25forth the grounds relied upon by the Department and shall
26provide a period of 7 days after the date of the rule to file an

 

 

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1answer to the satisfaction of the Department. Failure to answer
2to the satisfaction of the Department shall cause an order to
3cease and desist to be issued immediately.
 
4    Section 110. Violation; penalty. Whoever knowingly
5practices or offers to practice naturopathic medicine in this
6State without being licensed for that purpose shall be guilty
7of a Class A misdemeanor.
 
8    Section 115. Investigation; notice; hearing. The
9Department may investigate the actions of any applicant or of
10any person or persons holding or claiming to hold a license.
11Before refusing to issue, refusing to renew, or taking any
12disciplinary action regarding a license, the Department shall,
13at least 30 days prior to the date set for the hearing, notify
14in writing the applicant for, or holder of, a license of the
15nature of any charges and that a hearing will be held on a date
16designated. The Department shall direct the applicant or
17licensee to file a written answer with the Committee under oath
18within 20 days after the service of the notice and inform the
19applicant or licensee that failure to file an answer shall
20result in default being taken against the applicant or licensee
21and that the license may be suspended, revoked, or placed on
22probationary status, or that other disciplinary action may be
23taken, including limiting the scope, nature, or extent of
24practice, as the Secretary may deem proper. Written notice may

 

 

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1be served by personal delivery or certified or registered mail
2to the respondent at the address of his or her last
3notification to the Department. If the person fails to file an
4answer after receiving notice, his or her license may, in the
5discretion of the Department, be suspended, revoked, or placed
6on probationary status, or the Department may take any
7disciplinary action deemed proper, including limiting the
8scope, nature, or extent of the person's practice or the
9imposition of a fine, without a hearing, if the act or acts
10charged constitute sufficient grounds for such action under
11this Act. At the time and place fixed in the notice, the
12Committee shall proceed to hear the charges and the parties or
13their counsel shall be accorded ample opportunity to present
14such statements, testimony, evidence and argument as may be
15pertinent to the charges or to their defense. The Committee may
16continue a hearing from time to time.
 
17    Section 120. Formal hearing; preservation of record. The
18Department, at its expense, shall preserve a record of all
19proceedings at the formal hearing of any case. The notice of
20hearing, complaint, and all other documents in the nature of
21pleadings and written motions filed in the proceedings, the
22transcript of testimony, the report of the Committee or hearing
23officer, and order of the Department shall be the record of the
24proceeding. The Department shall furnish a transcript of the
25record to any person interested in the hearing upon payment of

 

 

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1the fee required under Section 2105-115 of the Department of
2Professional Regulation Law.
 
3    Section 125. Witnesses; production of documents; contempt.
4Any circuit court may, upon application of the Department or
5its designee or of the applicant or licensee against whom
6proceedings under Section 95 of this Act are pending, enter an
7order requiring the attendance of witnesses and their testimony
8and the production of documents, papers, files, books, and
9records in connection with any hearing or investigation. The
10court may compel obedience to its order by proceedings for
11contempt.
 
12    Section 130. Subpoena; oaths. The Department shall have
13power to subpoena and bring before it any person in this State
14and to take testimony either orally or by deposition or both
15with the same fees and mileage and in the same manner as
16prescribed in civil cases in circuit courts of this State.
17    The Secretary, the designated hearing officer, and every
18member of the Committee has power to administer oaths to
19witnesses at any hearing that the Department is authorized to
20conduct and any other oaths authorized in any Act administered
21by the Department. Any circuit court may, upon application of
22the Department or its designee or upon application of the
23person against whom proceedings under this Act are pending,
24enter an order requiring the attendance of witnesses and their

 

 

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1testimony, and the production of documents, papers, files,
2books and records in connection with any hearing or
3investigation. The court may compel obedience to its order by
4proceedings for contempt.
 
5    Section 135. Findings of facts, conclusions of law, and
6recommendations. At the conclusion of the hearing the
7Committee shall present to the Secretary a written report of
8its findings of fact, conclusions of law, and recommendations.
9The report shall contain a finding whether or not the accused
10person violated this Act or failed to comply with the
11conditions required in this Act. The Committee shall specify
12the nature of the violation or failure to comply and shall make
13its recommendations to the Secretary.
14     The report of findings of fact, conclusions of law, and
15recommendations of the Committee shall be the basis for the
16Department's order. If the Secretary disagrees in any regard
17with the report of the Committee, the Secretary may issue an
18order in contravention of the report. The finding is not
19admissible in evidence against the person in a criminal
20prosecution brought for the violation of this Act, but the
21hearing and findings are not a bar to a criminal prosecution
22brought for the violation of this Act.
 
23    Section 140. Hearing officer. The Secretary shall have the
24authority to appoint any attorney duly licensed to practice law

 

 

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1in the State of Illinois to serve as the hearing officer in any
2action for Departmental refusal to issue, renew, or license an
3applicant, or disciplinary action against a licensee. The
4hearing officer shall have full authority to conduct the
5hearing. The hearing officer shall report his or her findings
6of fact, conclusions of law, and recommendations to the
7Committee and the Secretary. The Committee shall have 60
8calendar days from receipt of the report to review the report
9of the hearing officer and present its findings of fact,
10conclusions of law, and recommendations to the Secretary. If
11the Committee fails to present its report within the 60
12calendar day period, the Secretary may issue an order based on
13the report of the hearing officer. If the Secretary disagrees
14with the recommendation of the Committee or hearing officer, he
15or she may issue an order in contravention of that
16recommendation.
 
17    Section 145. Service of report; rehearing; order. In any
18case involving the discipline of a license, a copy of the
19Committee's report shall be served upon the respondent by the
20Department, either personally or as provided in this Act for
21the service of the notice of hearing. Within 20 days after the
22service, the respondent may present to the Department a motion
23in writing for a rehearing that shall specify the particular
24grounds for rehearing. If no motion for rehearing is filed,
25then upon the expiration of the time specified for filing a

 

 

SB3922- 29 -LRB097 21591 CEL 69800 b

1motion, or if a motion for rehearing is denied, then upon the
2denial the Secretary may enter an order in accordance with this
3Act. If the respondent orders from the reporting service and
4pays for a transcript of the record within the time for filing
5a motion for rehearing, the 20 calendar day period within which
6the motion may be filed shall commence upon the delivery of the
7transcript to the respondent.
 
8    Section 150. Substantial justice to be done; rehearing.
9Whenever the Secretary is satisfied that substantial justice
10has not been done in the revocation, suspension, or refusal to
11issue or renew a license, the Secretary may order a rehearing
12by the same or another hearing officer or by the Committee.
 
13    Section 155. Order or certified copy as prima facie proof.
14An order or a certified copy thereof, over the seal of the
15Department and purporting to be signed by the Secretary, shall
16be prima facie proof:
17    (a) that the signature is the genuine signature of the
18Secretary;
19    (b) that such Secretary is duly appointed and qualified;
20    (c) that the Committee and its members are qualified to
21act.
 
22    Section 160. Restoration of license. At any time after the
23suspension or revocation of any license the Department may

 

 

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1restore the license to the accused person, unless after an
2investigation and a hearing the Department determines that
3restoration is not in the public interest.
 
4    Section 165. Surrender of license. Upon the revocation or
5suspension of any license, the licensee shall immediately
6surrender the license to the Department. If the licensee fails
7to do so, the Department shall have the right to seize the
8license.
 
9    Section 170. Imminent danger to public; summary
10suspension. The Secretary may summarily suspend the license of
11a naturopathic physician without a hearing, simultaneously
12with the institution of proceedings for a hearing provided for
13in this Act, if the Secretary finds that evidence in his or her
14possession indicates that continuation in practice would
15constitute an imminent danger to the public. In the event that
16the Secretary summarily suspends a license without a hearing, a
17hearing by the Department must be held within 30 days after the
18suspension has occurred.
 
19    Section 175. Review under Administrative Review Law. All
20final administrative decisions of the Department are subject to
21judicial review under the Administrative Review Law and its
22rules. The term "administrative decision" is defined as in
23Section 3-101 of the Code of Civil Procedure.
 

 

 

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1    Section 180. The Department shall not be required to
2certify any record to the Court or file any answer in court or
3otherwise appear in any court in a judicial review proceeding,
4unless there is filed in the court, with the complaint, a
5receipt from the Department acknowledging payment of the costs
6of furnishing and certifying the record. Failure on the part
7of the plaintiff to file a receipt in court shall be grounds
8for dismissal of the action.
 
9    Section 185. Administrative Procedure Act. The Illinois
10Administrative Procedure Act is expressly adopted and
11incorporated in this Act as if all of the provisions of that
12Act were included in this Act, except that the provision of
13paragraph (d) of Section 10-65 of the Illinois Administrative
14Procedure Act, which provides that at hearings the licensee has
15the right to show compliance with all lawful requirements for
16retention, continuation, or renewal of the license, is
17specifically excluded. For the purpose of this Act, the notice
18required under Section 10-25 of the Administrative Procedure
19Act is deemed sufficient when mailed to the last known address
20of a party.
 
21    Section 190. Severability. If any provision of this Act or
22its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid,
23the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to

 

 

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1other persons or circumstances is not affected.