CaliforniaCalifornia restricts some osteopathic treatments and titles
Starting January 1, 2028, people using a disclosure exception could not provide osteopathic manipulative treatment, and unlicensed providers could not use certain osteopathic titles while offering care.
What it does
Starting January 1, 2028, people using the disclosure exception could not provide hands-on osteopathic treatment to relieve problems with body function. Licensed California health professionals and authorized massage services are exempt.
Starting January 1, 2028, people without a state osteopathic board license could not use “doctor of osteopathy” or “D.O.”, or use “osteopath” to imply they hold that license while offering treatment.
Argument forPatients could be less likely to mistake unlicensed providers for osteopathic physicians, because the bill limits certain treatments and professional titles.
Argument againstPeople who provide hands-on treatment or describe their services may face criminal penalties if they cross the new limits, even without intending to mislead.
More detail
People who rely on the disclosure exception would be barred from providing osteopathic manipulative treatment. Osteopathic manipulative treatment means using manually guided force to relieve a problem with body function. The exception applies only to people who meet the disclosure requirements in Section 2053.6. This restriction does not prohibit care by California-licensed health professionals or massage services authorized by California law. This restriction takes effect January 1, 2028.
People without a license from the Osteopathic Medical Board of California would be barred from using specified osteopathic titles in certain circumstances; a violation would be a misdemeanor. The rule applies to people who are not licensed by the Osteopathic Medical Board of California. The word “osteopath” is covered when used to imply that the person is a licensed osteopath, a licensed doctor of osteopathy, or a board-licensed physician and surgeon. That use must occur while offering or providing a service to treat a medical or physical condition. This rule takes effect January 1, 2028.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Sep 27Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 543, Statutes of 2026.Latest
- Sep 27Approved by the Governor Gavin Newsom.Became Law
- Aug 31Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.To Governor
- Aug 25Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 73. Noes 0. Page 6511.).Major
- Vote recorded AB 1703 Hart Concurrence in Senate Amendments. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading AB1703 Hart By Grayson. Result: pass.Upper
- Aug 25In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
- Aug 25Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 37. Noes 0.).Passed Senate
- Aug 24Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Aug 20Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading.Major
- Aug 17Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Aug 13Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.Major
- Vote recorded Do pass as amended. Result: pass.Upper
- Aug 13From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (August 13).Major
- Jun 29In committee: Referred to APPR. suspense file.Minor
- Vote recorded Placed on suspense file. Result: pass.Upper
- Jun 15From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 11. Noes 0.) (June 15). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.Minor
- Vote recorded Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]. Result: pass.Upper
- Jun 9From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on B. P. & E.D.Major
- May 20Referred to Com. on B. P. & E.D.Minor
- May 12In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.Minor
- May 11Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 73. Noes 0. Page 4997.)Passed Assembly
- Vote recorded AB 1703 Hart Assembly Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 30Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Apr 29From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 14. Noes 0.) (April 29).Minor
- Vote recorded Do pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 14From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 19. Noes 0.) (April 14). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.Minor
- Vote recorded Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 24Re-referred to Com. on B. & P.Minor
- Feb 23From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on B. & P. Read second time and amended.Major
- Feb 23Referred to Com. on B. & P.Minor
- Feb 5From printer. May be heard in committee March 7.
- Feb 4Read first time. To print.Introduced
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