The Florida Senate

485.001  Short title.

485.002  Legislative intent.

485.003  Definitions.

485.004  When practice of hypnosis prohibited.

485.005  Penalties.

485.001  Short title.--This chapter shall be known as the "Hypnosis Law."

History.--s. 2, ch. 61-506; s. 201, ch. 2000-160.

Note.--Former s. 456.30.

485.002  Legislative intent.--

(1)  It is recognized that hypnosis has attained a significant place as another technique in the treatment of human injury, disease, and illness, both mental and physical; that the utilization of hypnotic techniques for therapeutic purposes should be restricted to certain practitioners of the healing arts who are qualified by professional training to fulfill the necessary criteria required for diagnosis and treatment of human illness, disease, or injury within the scope of their own particular field of competence; or that such hypnotic techniques should be employed by qualified individuals who work under the direction, supervision, or prescription of such practitioners.

(2)  It is the intent of the Legislature to provide for certain practitioners of the healing arts, such as a trained and qualified dentist, to use hypnosis for hypnoanesthesia or for the allaying of anxiety in relation to dental work; however, under no circumstances shall it be legal or proper for the dentist or the individual to whom the dentist may refer the patient, to use hypnosis for the treatment of the neurotic difficulties of a patient. The same applies to the optometrist, podiatric physician, chiropractic physician, osteopathic physician, or physician of medicine.

(3)  It is, therefore, the intent and purpose of this chapter to regulate the practice of hypnosis for therapeutic purposes by providing that such hypnotic techniques shall be used only by certain practitioners of the healing arts within the limits and framework of their own particular field of competence; or by qualified persons to whom a patient may be referred, in which event the referring practitioner of the healing arts shall be responsible, severally or jointly, for any injury or damages resulting to the patient because of either his or her own incompetence, or the incompetence of the person to whom the patient was referred.

History.--s. 1, ch. 61-506; s. 2, ch. 65-170; s. 194, ch. 97-103; s. 48, ch. 97-264; ss. 195, 267, ch. 98-166; s. 201, ch. 2000-160.

Note.--Former s. 456.31.

485.003  Definitions.--In construing this chapter, the words, phrases, or terms, unless the context otherwise indicates, shall have the following meanings:

(1)  "Hypnosis" shall mean hypnosis, hypnotism, mesmerism, posthypnotic suggestion, or any similar act or process which produces or is intended to produce in any person any form of induced sleep or trance in which the susceptibility of the person's mind to suggestion or direction is increased or is intended to be increased, where such a condition is used or intended to be used in the treatment of any human ill, disease, injury, or for any other therapeutic purpose.

(2)  "Healing arts" shall mean the practice of medicine, surgery, psychiatry, dentistry, osteopathic medicine, chiropractic medicine, naturopathy, podiatric medicine, chiropody, psychology, clinical social work, marriage and family therapy, mental health counseling, and optometry.

(3)  "Practitioner of the healing arts" shall mean a person licensed under the laws of the state to practice medicine, surgery, psychiatry, dentistry, osteopathic medicine, chiropractic medicine, naturopathy, podiatric medicine, chiropody, psychology, clinical social work, marriage and family therapy, mental health counseling, or optometry within the scope of his or her professional training and competence and within the purview of the statutes applicable to his or her respective profession, and who may refer a patient for treatment by a qualified person, who shall employ hypnotic techniques under the supervision, direction, prescription, and responsibility of such referring practitioner.

(4)  "Qualified person" shall mean a person deemed by the referring practitioner to be qualified by both professional training and experience to be competent to employ hypnotic technique for therapeutic purposes, under supervision, direction, or prescription.

History.--s. 3, ch. 61-506; s. 2, ch. 65-170; s. 1, ch. 95-279; s. 195, ch. 97-103; s. 1, ch. 97-198; s. 193, ch. 97-264; ss. 196, 268, ch. 98-166; s. 201, ch. 2000-160.

Note.--Former s. 456.32.

485.004  When practice of hypnosis prohibited.--It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in the practice of hypnosis for therapeutic purposes unless such person is a practitioner of one of the healing arts, as herein defined, or acts under the supervision, direction, prescription, and responsibility of such a person.

History.--s. 4, ch. 61-506; s. 201, ch. 2000-160.

Note.--Former s. 456.33.

485.005  Penalties.--

(1)  MISDEMEANOR.--Any person who shall violate the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

(2)  REVOCATION OF LICENSE.--A violation of any of the provisions of this chapter by any person licensed to practice any branch of the healing arts in this state shall constitute grounds for revocation of license, and action may be taken by the respective boards in accordance with the applicable statutes.

(3)  CIVIL LIABILITY.--Any person who shall be damaged or injured by any practitioner of the healing arts, or by any person to whom such a practitioner may refer a patient for treatment, may bring suit against the practitioner either severally, or jointly, with the person to whom the referral was made.

(4)  CONSTRUCTION IN RELATION TO OTHER LAWS.--No civil or criminal remedy for any wrongful action shall be excluded or impaired by the provisions of this chapter.

History.--s. 5, ch. 61-506; s. 387, ch. 71-136; s. 201, ch. 2000-160.

Note.--Former s. 456.34.