Senate approves naturopaths’ licensing

Naturopathic physicians would be licensed and regulated by the state under a bill approved Thursday by the Kansas Senate.

Sen. Susan Wagle, R-Wichita, said the measure will provide people with choices in health care while also protecting the public from naturopaths who are not properly trained.

“The time has come in the state of Kansas that we offer alternative therapies,” Wagle said.

Under the bill, a naturopathic physician would need to have graduated from a four-year graduate level naturopathic medical school to be licensed.

The measure’s chief supporters are naturopathic physicians from Lawrence. They say that naturopathic doctors study the same basic science as a medical doctor but also spend years studying holistic therapies, such as acupuncture. The bill, approved 38-2, now goes to the House for consideration.

Plan to stiffen penalties for hate crimes defeated

Kansas senators Thursday rejected legislation to increase penalties for crimes motivated by bias based on race, gender, ethnicity or sexual orientation.

Sen. David Haley, D-Kansas City, Kan., said he didn’t understand how the Senate could reject his hate-crimes amendment when just weeks earlier the Senate unanimously approved increasing punishment for acts of terrorism.

“I just wish the Senate would be consistent,” he said.

The amendment failed 12-27.

Sen. Sandy Praeger, R-Lawrence, said she voted against the amendment because courts currently have the option of increasing penalties under certain circumstances.