45:9B-7. Acupuncture Advisory Committee

a. An Acupuncture Advisory Committee is hereby created in the Division of Consumer Affairs of the Department of Law and Public Safety, under the State Board of Medical Examiners.

Within 30 days after this act takes effect, the members of the Acupuncture Advisory Committee shall be appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate for the purpose of assisting the board on matters of professional licensing and professional conduct. The committee shall be composed of seven members, including three licensed practitioners of acupuncture research, two licensed physicians, and two members of the general public.

Each member of the committee shall serve until December 31, 1978. Vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired term only.

b. Each member of the committee shall serve without compensation, but shall be entitled to be reimbursed for his necessary travel expenses in connection with the business of the board.

The three acupuncturists appointed to the committee need not be licensed to practice acupuncture research at the time of their appointment, provided, however, they satisfy the requirements for licensure within a reasonable time after such requirements are established by the board.

c. In accordance with the provisions of this act the committee shall, within 6 months following their appointment and after appropriate hearings and investigation, transmit their initial recommendations for the establishment of acupuncture research programs and standards for professional education, experience and licensing examinations to the board. Based upon the recommendations and subject to the approval of the committee, the State Board of Medical Examiners shall establish, by rules or regulations adopted in accordance with the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c. 410 (C. 52:14B-1 et seq.), the education, experience and examination requirements for a license to practice acupuncture research, and such other requirements with respect to the practice of acupuncture research and the conduct of practitioners thereof as the board may deem advisable to effectuate the provisions of this act.

L.1975, c. 358, s. 7, eff. March 3, 1976.