More and more people are seeking holistic treatments, either as their primary health care or as complementary care to conventional medical treatment. These holistic practices include Ayurveda, herbalism, Reiki, massage, bodywork, homeopathy, traditional naturopathy, rolfing, and many many others. But the practitioners of these safe, natural practices can be shut down and even charged criminally, incarcerated, and fined if they practice in a state with no safe harbor law. 

Safe Harbor exemption laws are state laws that allow unlicensed complementary and alternative holistic practitioners to practice their occupations as long as they avoid a list of “prohibited acts” (like not puncturing the skin) and comply with a client bill of rights. Eleven states have passed safe harbor laws, including Minnesota, Maine, Colorado, California, Nevada, and others. In those states, many holistic practitioners can practice freely, and the number and variety of these practitioners have blossomed. National Health Freedom Action directly supports the efforts of groups to pass safe harbor bills in their states with meetings, draft bills, testimony, education regarding lobbying and more. With state legislatures winding down for the year here’s an update on the progress that has been made. 

Safe Harbor bills introduced in four states

In Maryland, HB1527, the Complementary and Alternative Health Care Practice Act, was introduced by a strong supportive legislator and heard in the House Health Committee in March. Practitioners and advocates showed up to testify in favor of the bill, and the sponsor made an amazing presentation. Unfortunately, the bill was sent to Study instead of advancing. But Safe Harbor supporters made good progress, and the sponsor is excited to carry the bill again in 2027. More work to educate legislators is needed on how safe harbor laws protect holistic practitioners and provide access to the public, in advance of the next legislative session.

Activists in Massachusetts introduced safe harbor legislation entitled An Act Providing for Consumer Access to and the Right to Practice Complementary and Alternative Health Care Services in 2025, H2504 and S1481 which were carried over to 2026. In the Senate, the bill was referred to the Committee on Public Health where it was reported favorably and referred to the Committee on Health Care Financing before being sent to Study. In the House, the bill was referred to the Committee on Public Health and then sent to Study. Unfortunately, these bills will not move forward this session.

In New Hampshire, a Safe Harbor bill, SB452, an Act Enabling Health Care Providers to Offer Certain Health Care Services was introduced and had a hearing in February in the Health and Human Services Committee. It was referred to Interim Study so did not pass. Activists in New Hampshire are inspired to build on this effort and are organizing.

In Oklahoma, SB1840, an Act Relating to Natural Healing Arts, had two readings, was referred to Health and Human Services, and has not moved farther. Activists are already preparing next steps for 2027.

Groups in other states are exploring safe harbor!

In Florida, activists had secured sponsors for the introduction of safe harbor legislation this session, but these legislators unfortunately accepted other positions in their local and state governments and resigned before the legislation could be introduced. Previously, NHFA worked to exempt holistic healers, including traditional naturopaths, from naturopathic licensing requirements in a bill that passed the Florida House and Senate, and awaits the signature of the governor. We have sponsors committed to introduce safe harbor legislation in 2027.

In Wyoming, a very expansive Naturopathic Doctor licensing bill has been introduced that threatens holistic healers and the ability of traditional naturopaths to provide their services in the state. Activists are choosing to protect themselves from ND licensing efforts by working to introduce and pass a Safe Harbor bill in 2027.

We have met with others interested in passing safe harbor in many other states, including Ohio, Michigan, Tennessee, and Texas.

Contact us if you would like to join or form a group in your state!

While no new safe harbor laws have passed in 2026 it typically takes many attempts over many years to educate legislators and regulators alike about the need to protect access to and the practice of holistic healing arts. Sometimes, like in Maine, a safe harbor bill passes in one year. But more commonly, the bill must be introduced and then introduced again. In Colorado, passing the Safe Harbor bill took many years and a great deal of dedicated people. Please contact us if you are interested in forming your own group or if you would like to join others in your state already working on passing a safe harbor bill. Stay tuned for more bills to be introduced at the next session!