Call To Action! New Jersey Reiki Practitioners Need Your Help!
Call To Action! New Jersey Reiki Practitioners Need Your Help!
Call To ACTION!
We need you help in defeating New Jersey Assembly Bill No. 246 ( first step to licensure for Reiki practitioners and teachers.). This bill is before the New Jersey health committee. The bill (highlighted version) is below.
New Jersey Residents Please write your legislator and health Committee. Template below.
From another state or county please write to several of the members of the Health Committee sharing why you oppose Assembly Bill 2461. Points to reference are stated below.
Please Oppose New Jersey Assembly Bill 2461
Which Establishes a Natural Health and Vitality Task Force to Develop Recommendations for Legislative Action Regarding the Education, Qualifications, Training, and Licensing of Reiki Practitioners
1. Reiki is unfairly singled out, as it is the only spiritual practice included in the bill. The other practices the bill affects are: chiropractors; certified personal trainers; massage therapists; acupuncture; certified clinical nutritionists; and psychologists.
2. Reiki practice has no representation on the Task Force, which is composed of the Commissioner of Health, ex officio or a designee, and eight public members who shall include at least one naturopathic practitioner, one chiropractor, one psychologist, and one nutritionist.
3. There are more than 100 different styles of Reiki. It would be impossible for the task force to establish recommendations for education, qualifications, and training for all of them, as the only thing they may have in common is the name Reiki.
4. Based on this paragraph:
“The bill provides that the task force issue a report obtaining its findings and recommendations to the Governor and to the Legislature, including any recommendations for legislative or regulatory action.”
The regulatory aspect of this bill will be fraught with issues related to: * The improper definition of the scope of practice per each style of Reiki.
* Lack of understanding of the differences in application for each type’s scope of
practice when similar to another’s scope (Asian v Western)
5. This bill is the first step in the requirement of licensure for Reiki practitioners.
The bill, introduced in February 2022, is currently in the Assembly Health Committee and remains very much alive. This legislative session does not end until December 2023.
Please contact members of the Health Committee to voice your objection to this bill. The following link will take you to the web page of its members with their contact information:
SAMPLE LETTER THAT YOU CAN USE TO WRITE TO YOUR LEGISLATOR AND NEW JERSEY HEALTH COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Clerk's Office: 609-847-3115
(Month) (Day) (Year)
The Honorable (First name) (Last name)
Room ( Room #)
Street
City, State Zip
RE: Opposition to Assembly Bill 2461
Dear (Legislator/Senator) (Last name):
My name is (your first and last name) and I am a (type of practitioner) who resides in your district (or a resident of New Jersey).
(State why you oppose the bill or other issue here. Choose up to three of the strongest points that support your position and state them clearly.) (Example: I want to voice my strong opposition to Assembly Bill 2461 as it affects over 100 different types of Reiki practice that will not be fairly represented with the proposed Health and Vitality Task Force. There is no risk of harm to the public from Reiki practice, and it would be impossible for the Task Force to establish recommendations for education, qualifications, and trainings, as Reiki is a spiritual practice and the only thing the 100 or more styles may have in common is the name Reiki.
(Include a personal story. Tell your representative why the issue is important to you and how it affects you, your family member, and your community.)
Please vote no on Assembly Bill 2461. I would greatly appreciate a response. Thank you for your time and consideration of this issue. Be sure to include your name and address on both your letter and envelope.)
Sincerely,
SIGN YOUR NAME
Print your name
Street address
City, State, Zip code