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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3079 FILED ON: 1/16/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2415
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_________________
PRESENTED BY:
Carole A. Fiola
_________________
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.
_______________
PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Carole A. Fiola6th Bristol1/16/2025Lindsay N. Sabadosa1st Hampshire2/18/2025 1 of 3
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3079 FILED ON: 1/16/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2415
By Representative Fiola of Fall River, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2415) of
Carole A. Fiola and Lindsay N. Sabadosa relative to the practice of “dry needling” or “trigger
point acupuncture” by certain health care professionals. Public Health.
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 2270 OF 2023-2024.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_______________
In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
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An Act relative to safer treatment.
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 is amended by adding the
2following definition after the definition of “acupuncture intern”:-
3 “Dry needling” or “Trigger Point Acupuncture”, the practice of intramuscular therapy,
4means an advanced needling skill or technique limited to the treatment of myofascial pain, using
5a single use, single insertion, sterile filiform needle (without the use of heat, cold, or any other
6added modality or medication), that is inserted into the skin or underlying tissues to stimulate
7trigger points. Dry needling may apply theory based only upon Western medical concepts,
8requires an examination and diagnosis, and treats specific anatomic entities selected according to
9physical signs. Trigger point Acupuncture/Dry needling does not include the stimulation of 2 of 3
10auricular points, utilization of distal points or non-local points, needle retention, application of
11retained electric stimulation leads, or the teaching or application of other acupuncture theory.
12 SECTION 2. Chapter 112 of the General Laws shall be amended by adding the following
13new section after section 152:-
14 Section 152A. Licensed health care professionals wishing to practice “dry needling” or
15“trigger point acupuncture” as defined in Section 148 of Chapter 112 of the General Laws shall
16meet the following criteria:
17 (a) Practitioners must have completed at least two years of post-graduate, professional
18 experience prior to the addition of trigger point acupuncture/dry needling.
19 (b) Five hundred didactic hours and 150 clinical hours total shall be required training for
20the practice of dry needling/trigger point acupuncture.
21 (c) Proof of education shall be supplied by the practitioner upon request by the
22department of public health.
23 (d) Education must be in-person and provided by qualified instructors as determined by
24IDFPR in consultation with the department of public health.
25 (e) Practitioners shall demonstrate minimal competency through psychometrically sound,
26 third party examination testing not given by the courses offering training.
27 (f) A standard set of competencies shall be defined, including the knowledge, skills, and
28abilities needed for the safe and competent practice of trigger point acupuncture/dry needling by
29non-Licensed acupuncturists by the department of public health. 3 of 3
30 (g) Anyone practicing dry needling shall obtain and maintain the advanced orthopedic
31clinical certification.
32 (h) Any health care practitioner dry needling shall meet the continuing education required
33 for acupuncture.
34 (i) The CNT class and exam taught by the CCAOM shall be passed by all practitioners of
35 dry needling/trigger point acupuncture.
36 (j) Treatment defined as dry needling/trigger point acupuncture shall be charted
37appropriately in the medical record.
38 (k) Significant adverse events (requiring follow up medical attention) shall be reported
39and documented.
40 (l) Specific and appropriate written consent for treatment must be obtained from the
41patient, and malpractice insurance policies must specify acupuncture coverage.
42 SECTION 3. The department of public health shall promulgate rules and regulations
43necessary to the implementation of this chapter.