Protect the right to practice and receive Natural Healing Therapies in Maryland. Senate Bill 817 and HB 1156 aims to punish those practicing alternative and complementary healing in Maryland. 

Time is critical. SB 817 goes to hearing on February 20, 2014 at 1:00 PM EST. 
HB 1156 goes to hearing on March 5, 2014 at 1:00 PM EST. 

Your immediate action is the only thing that will stop this bill!

If you are in Maryland, it is critical that you write your representatives directly, more importantly, anyone that can should attend the hearing to support eliminating the bill or replacing it with one that protects the rights of practitioners of non licensed modalities, ensures the public access to the type of healthcare they choose, and protects the public by establishing accepted criteria for those practitioners to meet.

SB 817 and HB 1156 are apparently designed to revise the penalty structure for Chiropractors and Massage Therapists practicing without a license.  Then it includes a provision which would require Board exception to lawfully practice alternative and complementary medicine in Maryland.  It also creates a monopoly by only allowing five specific Natural Healing Modalities named to practice.  According to SB 817 HB 1156, those in violation may receive up to a $5000 FINE or ONE YEAR IN JAIL OR BOTH, just for practicing a form of healing for which they have received training and certification.  

One of the proposed amendments (3-501 (C)) specifically classifies any form of Energy Healing in the same category as Chiropractic or Massage Therapy, unless provided a specific exemption. 

This directly infringes on the rights of citizens to choose the form of healing that they see fit, as well as removes sources of income for those who practice a form of healing not protected in this Bill.  We seek to have SB 817 and HB 1156 removed completely and replaced with a Bill that will offer protection to ALL forms of healing, not just five. 

We will be recommending a new bill that protects citizens from harm, while giving them the freedom to choose and teach without the threat of fines and jail time.  For those that wish to attend the Hearing: 

The address is: 
100 State Circle
Annapolis, MD 21401

Write the Senators and Committee responsible for this Bill and tell them you don’t agree with it.  If you are in Maryland, also include your District Representatives.

To Whom It May Concern,

I do not agree with SB 817 and HB 1156 and ask for it to be stopped.  Specifically 3-501C incorrectly categorizes one occupation under another.

Respectfully, 
(Your Name)

JENNIE M. FOREHAND 
jennie.forehand@senate.state.md.us

JOANNE CLAYBON BENSON
joanne.benson@senate.state.md.us

KAREN S. MONTGOMERY
karen.montgomery@senate.state.md.us

NORMAN R. STONE, JR.
norman.stone@senate.state.md.us

EDUCATION, HEALTH & ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
ehe@mlis.state.md.us