An Act To Allow Acupuncture Detoxification Specialists To Administer an Auricular Acupuncture Treatment for Addiction
Maine Legislature, Session 129, LD 1105
Committee Amendment CA_A_H337 (House)
Amends: 32 MRSA §12501

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A" to H.P. 809, L.D. 1105, Bill, "An Act To 
Allow Acupuncture Detoxification Specialists To Administer an Auricular Acupuncture 
Treatment for Addiction" 
Amend the bill by striking out the title and substituting the following: 
'An Act To Allow Acupuncture Detoxification Specialists To Administer an 
Auricular Acupuncture Treatment for Substance Use and Co-occurring Disorders' 
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the enacting clause and inserting the 
following: 
'Sec. 1. 32 MRSA §12501, sub-§1-B is enacted to read: 
1-B. 
Acupuncture detoxification specialist. 
"Acupuncture detoxification 
specialist" means an individual licensed under this chapter to practice auricular 
acupuncture detoxification. 
Sec. 2. 32 MRSA §12501, sub-§6-K is enacted to read: 
6-K. National acupuncture detoxification association. "National acupuncture 
detoxification association" means the national organization that provides training in 
auricular acupuncture detoxification, as specified in rules by the board. 
Sec. 3. 32 MRSA c. 113-B, sub-c. 5 is enacted to read: 
SUBCHAPTER 5 
AURICULAR ACUPUNCTURE DETOXIFICATION LICENSING 
REQUIREMENTS AND SCOPE OF PRACTICE 
§12551. License required; licensee title; scope of practice; limitations 
1. License required. A person may not practice, offer to practice or profess to be 
authorized to practice auricular acupuncture detoxification or represent to the public that 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMITTEEAMENDMENT"A"toH.P. 809,L.D.1105 
· 1 
the person is an acupuncture detoxification specialist unless licensed by the board 
pursuant to this subchapter. 
2. 
Title. A person licensed under this subchapter may use the title "licensed 
acupuncture detoxification specialist" and the designation "A.D.S." or "L.A.D.S." but 
may not represent to the public that the person is an acupuncturist. 
3. Scope of practice. Auricular acupuncture detoxification is the subcutaneous 
insertion of sterile, single-use disposable acupuncture needles in consistent, 
predetermined bilateral locations on the outer ear according to national acupuncture 
detoxification · association protocol for the purpose of treatment of substance use and 
co-occurring disorders. The practice is limited to the outer ear. 
4. Limitations. An acupuncture detoxification specialist: 
A. 
May not perform acupuncture outside of the scope of practice of auricular 
acupuncture detoxification; 
B. 
May provide auricular acupuncture detoxification only under the general 
supervision of a licensed acupuncturist whose license is in good standing. 
The 
supervising acupuncturist must. at a minimum. be available by telephone or 
electronic means during business hours and shall conduct at least 2 in-person visits or 
visits through videoconferencing with the acupuncture detoxification specialist 
during the first year the supervising acupuncturist oversees the work of the 
acupuncture detoxification specialist; and 
C. May provide auricular acupuncture detoxification in, or in collaboration with, a 
program for substance use and co-occurring disorders or other state-approved 
program. An acupuncture detoxification specialist shall provide documentation to the 
program administrator demonstrating that the acupuncture detoxification specialist 
possesses a record of completion of training in auricular acupuncture detoxification 
from the national acupuncture detoxification association or completion of other 
board-approved auricular acupuncture detoxification training. 
§12552. Qualifications for licensure as an acupuncture detoxification specialist 
1. Qualifications. To be eligible for licensure as an acupuncture detoxification 
specialist under this subchapter. the applicant must hold a valid unrestricted Maine 
license as a: 
A. Certified alcohol and drug counselor or licensed alcohol and drug counselor; 
B. Physician or physician assistant: 
C. Nurse or nurse practitioner: 
D. Professional counselor or clinical professional counselor: 
E. Psychologist; or 
F. Licensed social worker. conditional licensed social worker, licensed clinical social 
worker or licensed master social worker, conditional. 
2. Requirements for license. To apply for licensure under this subchapter, the 
applicant shall submit to the board the following: 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT .. ;J,, to H.P. 809, L.D. 1105 
A. Evidence of having completed training in auricular acupuncture detoxification 
from the national acupuncture detoxification association or other board-approved 
auricular acupuncture detoxification training; 
B. The identity of the licensed acupuncturist who will be supervising the applicant in 
accordance with section 12551, subsection 4, paragraph B; and 
C. A fee as set under section 12554. 
§12553. Rulemaking 
The board may adopt rules necessary to implement this subchapter and set standards 
for acupuncture detoxification specialists. Rules adopted pursuant to this section are 
routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A. 
§12554. Fees and renewal 
1. Fees. The Director of the Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation 
within the department may establish by rule fees for the purposes authorized under this 
subchapter in amounts that are reasonable and necessary for their respective purposes, 
except that the fee for initial and renewal licensure may not exceed $675 annually. Rules 
adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules pursuant to Title 5, chapter 
375, subchapter 2-A. 
2. Renewal. A license issued under this subchapter expires on the stated expiration 
date as determined by the commissioner. To maintain licensure, prior to expiration of a 
license, a licensee shall apply for renewal, pay the required fee and identify the 
supervising licensed acupuncturist in accordance with section 12551. subsection 4, 
paragraph B. 
3. Late renewal. A license may be renewed up to 90 days after the date of 
expiration upon payment of a late fee in addition to the renewal: fee as set pursuant to 
subsection 1. A person who submits an application for renewal more than 90 days after 
the date of expiration is subject to all requirements governing new applicants under this 
subchapter, except that the board, giving due consideration to the protection of the public, 
may waive any such requirement if that renewal application is received, together with the 
late fee and renewal fee, within 2 years from the date of the expiration.' 
Amend the bill by relettering or renumbering any nonconsecutive Part letter or 
section number to read consecutively. 
SUMMARY 
This amendment replaces the bill and directs the Department of Professional and 
Financial Regulation, Board of Complementary Health Care Providers to license 
acupuncture detoxification specialists. The amendment also establishes standards for the 
provision of auricular acupuncture detoxification. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Approved: 05/06/19 feae 
LD 1105 
LR 1877(02) 
An Act To Allow Acupuncture Detoxification Specialists To Administer an Auricular Acupuncture 
Treatment for Addiction 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment ~{ ff, ]31) 
Committee: Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Minor cost increase - Other Special Revenue Funds 
Minor revenue increase - Other Special Revenue Funds 
Additional costs to the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, Board of Complementary Health Care 
Providers to implement the requirements of this legislation can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources. 
Additional revenue to the board from licensing fees can not be determined, but is expected to be minor. 
LRl 877(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1