MA S253

Creates a Dietetics and Nutrition Board within the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, chaired by the Commissioner of Public Health, with 10 state agency commissioners/directors and 9 governor-appointed members including dietitians, nutritionists, a physician, and public representatives serving 3-year terms

Establishes separate licensure pathways for "Licensed Dietitian" (LD) and "Licensed Nutritionist" (LN), both requiring master's or doctoral degrees, at least 1,000 hours of supervised practice experience, and passage of certification exams (Commission on Dietetic Registration exam for dietitians; Board for Certification of Nutrition Specialists exam for nutritionists)

Requires biennial license renewal with 30 hours of continuing education, and authorizes the board to conduct FBI background checks, impose fines up to $5,000 per violation, require up to $50,000 in restitution, and suspend or revoke licenses for misconduct

Protects title use by prohibiting unlicensed individuals from using "dietitian," "nutritionist," or related titles, with criminal penalties of up to $5,000 fine and 1 year imprisonment for first offense, increasing to $10,000 and 2 years for subsequent violations

Exempts from licensure requirements: students and trainees under supervision, military/VA dietitians, WIC program employees, individuals providing general non-medical nutrition information, and out-of-state practitioners providing limited telehealth services