H453 — An Act relative to modernizing licensure of dietitians and nutritionists

Summary

An Act relative to modernizing licensure of dietitians and nutritionists

Bill Text

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The bill establishes a new Dietetics and Nutrition Board and Board of Registration of Dietitians and Nutritionists, restructuring existing provisions related to licensing and regulatory oversight of dietetics and nutrition professionals.

• Chapter 6, Section 181

  N/A → Section 181: Dietetics and Nutrition board; establishment; members; secretary and executive secretary; staff; appointment There shall be in the executive office of health and human services a dietetics and nutrition board, hereinafter referred to as the board, which shall consist of the commissioner of public health, who shall serve as chair, the commissioner of transitional assistance, the commissioner of early education and care, the commissioner of mental health, the commissioner of developmental services, the commissioner of elementary and secondary education, the commissioner of agriculture, the secretary of health and human services, the director of consumer affairs and business regulation, the secretary of elder affairs, or their respective designees, and nine persons to be appointed for terms of three years by the governor, of whom one shall be a registered physician with expertise in dietetics and nutritional science, one shall be a qualified practicing dietitian or nutritionist with experience and knowledge in public and community nutrition, one shall be a dietitian or nutritionist that is representative of the food industry, one shall be a dietetics and nutrition educator from an institution of higher education concerned with programmatically accredited graduate education in the field of dietetics and nutrition, one shall be a dietitian or nutritionist whose primary practice is consulting in, or the private practice of, dietetics or nutrition, one shall be a practicing dietitian whose primary practice is clinical dietetics in a hospital, one shall be a practicing dietitian whose primary practice is clinical dietetics in a long-term care facility and two shall be representatives of the general public who shall be consumers selected in a manner so as to reflect the population distribution of the commonwealth. Members of the board shall not be compensated for their services but shall be reimbursed for any expense actually and necessarily incurred in the performance of their duties. The chair may, with the approval of the board, appoint a secretary and an executive secretary who shall not be subject to the provisions of chapter thirty-one and section nine A of chapter thirty, but who shall be recognized authorities in the fields of dietetics and nutrition. The secretary and executive secretary shall receive such salary as the board, with the approval of the governor, may fix. The chair shall, with the approval of the board, expend such sums for clerical, technical and other assistance as may be required by the board in carrying out its duties. The board shall be provided with adequate quarters in the state house or elsewhere.

  This establishes a new Dietetics and Nutrition Board with specific members and responsibilities.

• Chapter 13, Section 11D

  N/A → Section 11D: Board of registration of dietitians and nutritionists There shall be within the department of public health a board of registration of dietitians and nutritionists to be appointed by the governor, who in his discretion may seek the advice of the Massachusetts dietetics and nutrition board established under section 181 of chapter 6, to consist of nine members who are citizens of the commonwealth, five of whom shall be licensed dietitians, one of whom shall be a licensed nutritionist, one of whom shall be a physician registered under Chapter 112 and two of whom shall be consumers who are representatives of the general public. Members shall be appointed for a term of three years. No member shall be appointed to more than two consecutive full terms; provided, however, that a member appointed for less than a full term may serve two full terms in addition to such part of a full term, and a former member shall again be eligible for appointment after a lapse of one or more years. Any member of the board may be removed by the governor for neglect of duty, misconduct or malfeasance or misfeasance in office after being given a written statement of the charges against such member and sufficient opportunity to be heard thereon. Said board shall elect its chairperson annually and shall meet at the call of such chairperson or upon the request of four or more members of the board. A quorum shall consist of at a majority of the appointed members. Said chairperson shall only vote on board matters in the case of a tie. Board members shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for actual and reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. The board shall meet a minimum of four times annually.

  This creates a Board of Registration of Dietitians and Nutritionists with specific composition and operational guidelines.

• Chapter 112, Sections 201 to 210

  N/A → Section 201: Definitions applicable to sections. 201 to 210A, inclusive (full text as described in the bill).

  This repeals existing sections 201 to 210 and replaces them with new definitions and regulations concerning dietetics and nutrition practice.

Sponsors

• Edward R. Philips · Primary

Subjects