HB 1259 Summary

• Creates the Indiana Diabetes Educators Board consisting of 7 members appointed by the governor, including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, dietitians, psychologists, nutritionists, and a citizen at large with diabetes experience.

• Establishes licensure requirements for diabetes educators effective July 1, 2015, requiring completion of American Association of Diabetes Educators core concepts course, credentialing program, or equivalent program as determined by the board.

• Requires licensed diabetes educators to complete 15 hours of board-approved continuing education annually, with licenses valid for 2 years.

• Authorizes the board to adopt rules for professional standards of practice based on American Association of Diabetes Educators policies, establish fees, conduct investigations, and discipline licensees for unprofessional conduct including fraud, felony convictions with direct bearing on trustworthiness, or violation of board rules.

• Provides that unlawful practice of diabetes education as a licensed educator without a license constitutes a Class A misdemeanor; makes conforming amendments to Indiana Code sections addressing criminal penalties, background checks, and licensing agency procedures for diabetes educators.