HB 2446 Summary

• Establishes a new licensure system for dietitian nutritionists and nutritionists under Arizona Department of Health Services, with two license types: licensed dietitian nutritionist (for registered dietitians or those meeting education/experience requirements) and licensed nutritionist (for those with master's/doctoral nutrition degree and 1,000 hours supervised practice).

• Licensed dietitian nutritionists and qualified nutrition professionals in hospitals may issue orders for diets, enteral feeding, nutritional supplementation, parenteral nutrition, durable medical equipment, medical nutrition therapy, and laboratory tests related to nutrition when authorized by medical staff per federal regulations.

• Allows non-hospital licensed healthcare institutions to permit licensed dietitian nutritionists and qualified nutrition professionals to issue similar nutrition-related orders under institutional policies and procedures.

• Creates an advisory committee consisting of the director, one physician, three licensed dietitian nutritionists, one licensed nutritionist, and one public member to provide recommendations on licensure, discipline, and rulemaking.

• Establishes continuing education requirements (2-year license renewal cycle), fee structures deposited to the health services licensing fund, and disciplinary procedures including denial, suspension, or revocation of licenses for violations or incompetence; caps initial licensure fees at $200.