Chiropractic; specialties; business entities
One significant aspect of HB 2876 is its introduction of specific provisions related to the retirement status of chiropractors. If a chiropractor permanently retires, the bill allows for the waiver of annual renewal fees and continuing education requirements. This change is expected to provide a more manageable transition for retired chiropractors who may wish to reinstate their licenses in the future. Moreover, the stipulations include a requirement for retired licensees to not engage in practice during the waiver period, which is aimed at maintaining professional standards within the field.
House Bill 2876 seeks to amend several sections of the Arizona Revised Statutes concerning chiropractic practices, particularly focusing on the registration and licensure of chiropractic professionals and business entities. The bill emphasizes the establishment of regulations around the creation and operation of business entities that provide chiropractic services, mandating that these entities must register with the Arizona Board of Chiropractic Examiners. This move is intended to enhance accountability and streamline the governance of chiropractic services offered in the state.
Notably, the bill also mandates compliance with strict regulations concerning patient medical records, requiring business entities to develop procedures for secure storage and transfer of these records. This component of the bill may raise concerns regarding operational feasibility for smaller practices, particularly those run by individual chiropractors. The inclusion of penalties for non-compliance and the necessity for business entities to ensure that licensed chiropractors perform services raises questions about the adequacy of resources available for compliance, thereby prompting debate on potential impacts for small chiropractic practices.