House of Representatives

SB 1191

health boards; investigations; information

Sponsors: Senators Gerard, Hellon Guenther, et al

 

DP

Committee on Health

DP

Retirement and Government Operations

DP

Caucus and COW

DP

Third Read

 

X

As Passed the House

 

SB 1191 requires that all health profession regulatory boards ten days prior to conducting a disciplinary interview or hearing provide a health professional or their attorney with the pertinent documents and information. 

 

History

Health regulatory boards are responsible for protecting the public health and safety of Arizonans through licensing and regulation of health professionals. Regulatory boards investigate complaints when evidence indicates a health professional may be in violation of statute or rule. Upon investigation that reveals wrongdoing, regulatory boards generally conduct a disciplinary interview, hearing or they may refer the case to the Office of Administrative Hearings. Disciplinary interviews and hearings are the primary means in which regulatory boards may impose sanctions upon a licensee.

 

In 2001, the Legislature passed a bill requiring the Allopathic Board of Medical Examiners and the Board of Optometry to provide a health professional or their attorney with documents and materials relating to the inquiry of a disciplinary interview 10 days prior to the interview. SB 1191 applies the same requirement to all health regulatory boards in order bring uniformity and streamline current health regulatory board disciplinary protocol.

 

Provisions

·        Requires all health profession regulatory boards to provide the following documents and information 10 days before a disciplinary interview or hearing:

1.      Documents concerned with any review, evaluation or opinion conducted by an

expert or consultant related to allegations.

2.      Records on the patient from other health care providers.

3.      Results of tests and evaluations conducted by the board.

4.      Information which will be used by the board to make its determination.

 

·        Prohibits any person who receives information from the board from releasing it for any other purpose other than the disciplinary interview and its related appeals and administrative processes.

 

·        Allows the board to charge for the cost of providing the information.

 

·        Makes technical changes.

 

 

 

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45th Legislature                       

Second Regular Session            2          May 29, 2002

 

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