A 6107: Requires the introduction of coursework or training in nutrition for physicians on a periodic basis; provides for certain exceptions to such requirement.

  
  STATE OF NEW YORK ________________________________________________________________________ 6107 2025-2026 Regular Sessions  IN ASSEMBLY February 26, 2025 ___________ Introduced by M. of A. SOLAGES -- read once and referred to the Commit- tee on Higher Education AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to requiring the introduction of training in nutrition for physicians The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem- bly, do enact as follows: 1 Section 1. The public health law is amended by adding a new section 2 264 to read as follows: 3 § 264. Coursework or training in nutrition. 1. Every physician 4 licensed under article one hundred thirty-one of the education law 5 shall, on or before July first, two thousand twenty-eight and every four 6 years thereafter, complete three hours of coursework or training 7 approved by the department regarding nutrition. 8 2. Every physician licensed on or after July first, two thousand twen- 9 ty-eight under article one hundred thirty-one of the education law shall 10 complete such coursework or training within one year of such registra- 11 tion and once within each four-year period thereafter. 12 3. The commissioner, in consultation with the department of education, 13 shall establish standards and review and approve coursework or training 14 in nutrition and diet and shall publish information related to such 15 standards, coursework or training on the department's website. The 16 department shall consult with organizations representative of 17 professions and those with expertise in nutrition in establishing such 18 standards. 19 4. Coursework or training in nutrition as required by this section may 20 include: general nutrition throughout the lifecycle; nutrition assess- 21 ment; the role of nutrition in disease prevention, management and treat- 22 ment; nutrition topics related to medical specialties such as obstetrics 23 and gynecology, cardiology, pediatrics, and oncology; food insecurity, 24 food insecurity screenings, and the impact of food insecurity on health; EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [ ] is old law to be omitted. LBD10192-01-5 
 A. 6107 2 1 the role of dietitians and when to make referrals; and obesity treatment 2 and prevention. 3 5. Existing coursework or training, including coursework or training 4 developed by a nationally recognized health care professional, special- 5 ty, or provider association, or nationally recognized nutrition or 6 dietician organization, may be considered in implementing this subdivi- 7 sion. 8 6. Every physician shall provide to the department documentation that 9 demonstrates that such physician has completed the coursework or train- 10 ing required under this section. The department shall provide a stand- 11 ardized form or other streamlined process for submitting such documenta- 12 tion. 13 7. The department shall institute a procedure for application for an 14 exemption from the nutrition training requirements of this section. The 15 department may provide an exemption from the coursework and training 16 required by this subdivision to any such licensed person who clearly 17 demonstrates to the department's satisfaction that: 18 a. there would be no need for such person to complete such coursework 19 or training; or 20 b. the person has completed coursework or training deemed by the 21 department to be equivalent to the coursework or training approved by 22 the department pursuant to this subdivision. 23 8. Nothing herein shall preclude such coursework or training in diet 24 and nutrition from counting toward continuing education requirements of 25 a nationally accredited medical board to the extent acceptable to such 26 board. 27 § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.