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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 623 FILED ON: 1/17/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1355
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_________________
PRESENTED BY:
Julian Cyr
_________________
To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act relative to safer treatment for pain.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Julian CyrCape and Islands 1 of 3
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 623 FILED ON: 1/17/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1355
By Mr. Cyr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1355) of Julian Cyr for legislation
relative to safer treatment for pain. Public Health.
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 1402 OF 2021-2022.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)
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An Act relative to safer treatment for pain.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 SECTION 1. Section 148 of chapter 112 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2020
2Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following definition:-
3 “Dry needling”; “trigger point acupuncture”; or “intramuscular therapy”, an advanced
4needling skill or technique limited to the treatment of myofascial pain, using a single use, single
5insertion, sterile filiform needle (without the use of heat, cold or any other added modality or
6medication), that is inserted into the skin or underlying tissues to stimulate trigger points. Dry
7needling may apply theory based only upon Western medical concepts, requires an examination
8and diagnosis and treats specific anatomic entities selected according to physical signs. Trigger
9point acupuncture or dry needling does not include the stimulation of auricular points, utilization 2 of 3
10of distal points or non-local points, needle retention, application of retained electric stimulation
11leads or the teaching or application of other acupuncture theory.
12 SECTION 2. Said chapter 112, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by inserting
13after section 152 the following section:-
14 Section 152A. (a) Licensed health care professionals practicing dry needling, trigger
15point acupuncture, or intramuscular therapy shall meet the following criteria:
16 (i) At least 2 years of post-graduate, professional experience in private practice treating
17patients in an orthopedic setting;
18 (ii) Completion of 500 didactic hours and 150 clinical hours of training in the practice of
19dry needling, trigger point acupuncture, or intramuscular therapy;
20 (iii) Completion of a proper in-person educational program provided by qualified
21instructors as determined by the Department of Public Health;
22 (iv) Demonstration of minimal competency through a psychometrically sound, third party
23examination not administered by the required training course or educational program;
24 (v) In possession of an advanced orthopedic clinical certification;
25 (vi) Passage of The Clean Needle Technique (CNT) class and exam taught by the Council
26of Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (CCAOM);
27 (vii) Completion of any continuing education required for the practice of dry needling,
28trigger point acupuncture or intramuscular therapy; 3 of 3
29 (viii) Must be able to provide proof of all of the educational, training, and practical
30experience required by this section upon request of the Department of Public Health.
31 (b) Any treatment defined as dry needling, trigger point acupuncture, or intramuscular
32therapy shall be charted appropriately in the medical record by the practicing licensed health care
33professional.
34 (c) Any significant and adverse events, requiring follow up medical attention, as a result
35of the practice of dry needling, trigger point acupuncture, or intramuscular therapy shall be
36reported and documented with the Department of Public Health.
37 (d) Specific and appropriate written consent for treatment by the practice of dry needling,
38trigger point acupuncture, or intramuscular therapy shall be obtained by the licensed health care
39professional from the patient.
40 (e) Any licensed health care professional practicing dry needling, trigger point
41acupuncture, or intramuscular therapy shall maintain a malpractice insurance policy that
42specifies coverage for dry needling, trigger point acupuncture, or intramuscular therapy.
43 (f) The Department of Public Health shall promulgate a standard set of competencies
44including the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed for the safe and competent practice of
45trigger point acupuncture, dry needling, and intramuscular therapy as well as any further rules
46and regulations necessary for the implementation of this section.