Assigned to HEA                                                                                FOR CAUCUS & FLOOR ACTION

 

 


ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Phoenix, Arizona

 

CORRECTED – REVISED

FACT SHEET FOR S.B. 1315

 

health boards; disciplinary action; votes

 

Purpose

 

Requires all health profession regulatory boards to record a roll call vote on disciplinary actions that require a Board vote.

 

Background

 

            Currently, there are 19 health profession regulatory boards in the state of Arizona.  These boards regulate: podiatrists, chiropractors, dentists, allopathic physicians, naturopathic physicians, nurses, dispensing opticians, optometrists, osteopathic physicians, pharmacists, physical therapists, psychologists, radiologists, homeopathic physicians, behavioral health providers, occupational therapists, respiratory care providers, acupuncturists and athletic trainers.  The primary function of these boards is to protect the public from unlawful, incompetent, unqualified, impaired or unprofessional practitioners through licensure, regulation and rehabilitation of the professions.  In addition, these boards investigate patient complaints and either dismiss the complaint or issue disciplinary or non-disciplinary actions. 

 

            When a health regulatory board decides that an act by a health care professional warrants disciplinary action, a series of interviews and hearings may take place, all of which are public and may involve an administrative law judge.  However, statute does not currently contain requirements that regulate how the board must conduct a vote when the disciplinary action requires a vote. S.B. 1315 addresses this issue by requiring all health regulatory boards to take and record a roll call vote if disciplinary action requires a vote.

 

Provisions

 

1.      Requires all health profession regulatory boards to record a roll call vote if a disciplinary action requires a vote.

 

2.      Provides for a general effective date. 

 

Amendment Adopted by Health Committee

 

            Eliminates the requirement for boards to have a two-thirds vote for disciplinary action that differs from that of an administrative law judge.


 

Senate Action

 

HEALTH         2/13/01            DPA    8-0-0

 

 

Prepared by Senate Staff

February 19, 2001