Sec. 205.302.  AUTHORIZED PRACTICE WITHOUT REFERRAL.  (a)  After notice and public hearing, the medical board shall determine by rule whether an acupuncturist may treat a patient for alcoholism or chronic pain without a referral from a physician, dentist, or chiropractor.  The medical board shall make the determination based on clinical evidence and what the medical board determines to be in the best interest of affected patients.
(b)  Notwithstanding Section 205.301, a license holder may, without a referral from a physician, dentist, or chiropractor, perform acupuncture on a person for:
(1)  smoking addiction;
(2)  weight loss;  or
(3)  substance abuse, to the extent permitted by medical board rule adopted with advice from the acupuncture board.
Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.  Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 719, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.