Huff's Bill Targets Chiropractors Treating Allergies

A bill authored by Senate Minority Leader Bob Huff banning chiropractors from treating allergies was approved by the Senate Thursday.

According to Huff, who represents the 29th district including Glendora, Monrovia, Walnut and Diamond Bar, some chiropractors have used lasers on patients they claim can diagnose and treat hypersensitivity to certain foods, environmental ailments and medicines, according to a report in the Mercury News.

Huff says there is no evidence that these treatments work.

According to the bill, the state defines treating allergies as practicing medicine. Under the bill, chiropractors would no longer be able to advertise that they can treat allergies.

Huff’s SB352 passed on a 34-1 vote and will go to the Assembly.

Last week, Huff’s Bond Reform bill, SB 633, cleared Senate with a unanimous vote. The bill aims to ensure that General Obligation Bond money is used on projects approved by voters at the polls. Under the Bill, the California Department of Finance would create a corrective action plan if an audit find that funds were misused or allocated to unapproved projects.

Since 2006, Californians have voted for $54 billion in bonds.

“Before we run out and ask taxpayers for more money in the form of new taxes, we must ensure that every dollar the state spends delivers value and is spent in the wisest way possible,” Huff said in a press statement.

Earlier in the week, legislation introduced by Huff challenging language some felt negatively labeled certain schools also passed through the Senate.

SB172 makes a technical change to the Open Enrollment Act by changing the name of “low achieving” schools to the “less judgmental and more benign title” of “open enrollment,” according to a press statement from Huff’s office.

Many school districts believed the label to be unfair, considering many of them achieved higher test scores.

“My legislation would find another name for low-achieving schools that is more socially acceptable,” said the Senate Republican Leader during his Senate Floor presentation. “The original legislation was never designed to create a stigma for these low-performing schools, but unfortunately that’s what it has become.”

Under the Open Enrollment Act, parents are offered a choice to transfer their children to a district of their choice if their school is identified as “low-achieving” according to a formula “prescribed by law.”

The bill passed 35-0 and will move to the Assembly.