Bill Text: CA AB536 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Chaptered
Bill Title: Physicians and surgeons.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2011-09-30 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 379, Statutes of 2011. [AB536 Detail]
Download: California-2011-AB536-Chaptered.html
BILL NUMBER: AB 536 CHAPTERED BILL TEXT CHAPTER 379 FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE SEPTEMBER 30, 2011 APPROVED BY GOVERNOR SEPTEMBER 30, 2011 PASSED THE SENATE AUGUST 31, 2011 PASSED THE ASSEMBLY SEPTEMBER 6, 2011 AMENDED IN SENATE JUNE 14, 2011 AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY APRIL 11, 2011 AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MARCH 7, 2011 INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Ma FEBRUARY 16, 2011 An act to amend Section 2027 of the Business and Professions Code, relating to physicians and surgeons. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 536, Ma. Physicians and surgeons. Existing law, the Medical Practice Act, provides for the licensure and regulation of physicians and surgeons by the Medical Board of California. Existing law requires the board to post certain information on the Internet regarding licensed physicians and surgeons, including, but not limited to, felony convictions, certain misdemeanor convictions, and whether or not a licensee is in good standing. Existing law requires that specified information remain posted for 10 years and prohibits the removal of certain other information. This bill would require the board to post notification of an expungement order and the date of the order within 6 months of receiving a certified copy of the expungement order from the licensee. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Section 2027 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read: 2027. (a) The board shall post on the Internet the following information in its possession, custody, or control regarding licensed physicians and surgeons: (1) With regard to the status of the license, whether or not the licensee is in good standing, subject to a temporary restraining order (TRO), subject to an interim suspension order (ISO), or subject to any of the enforcement actions set forth in Section 803.1. (2) With regard to prior discipline, whether or not the licensee has been subject to discipline by the board or by the board of another state or jurisdiction, as described in Section 803.1. (3) Any felony convictions reported to the board after January 3, 1991. (4) All current accusations filed by the Attorney General, including those accusations that are on appeal. For purposes of this paragraph, "current accusation" shall mean an accusation that has not been dismissed, withdrawn, or settled, and has not been finally decided upon by an administrative law judge and the Medical Board of California unless an appeal of that decision is pending. (5) Any malpractice judgment or arbitration award reported to the board after January 1, 1993. (6) Any hospital disciplinary actions that resulted in the termination or revocation of a licensee's hospital staff privileges for a medical disciplinary cause or reason. The posting shall also provide a link to any additional explanatory or exculpatory information submitted electronically by the licensee pursuant to subdivision (f) of Section 805. (7) Any misdemeanor conviction that results in a disciplinary action or an accusation that is not subsequently withdrawn or dismissed. (8) Appropriate disclaimers and explanatory statements to accompany the above information, including an explanation of what types of information are not disclosed. These disclaimers and statements shall be developed by the board and shall be adopted by regulation. (9) Any information required to be disclosed pursuant to Section 803.1. (b) Upon receipt of a certified copy of an expungement order granted pursuant to Section 1203.4 of the Penal Code from a licensee, the board shall, within six months of receipt of the expungement order, post notification of the expungement order and the date thereof on its Internet Web site. (c) (1) From January 1, 2003, the information described in paragraphs (1) (other than whether or not the licensee is in good standing), (2), (4), (5), (7), and (9) of subdivision (a) shall remain posted for a period of 10 years from the date the board obtains possession, custody, or control of the information, and after the end of that period shall be removed from being posted on the board's Internet Web site. Information in the possession, custody, or control of the board prior to January 1, 2003, shall be posted for a period of 10 years from January 1, 2003. Settlement information shall be posted as described in paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of Section 803.1. (2) The information described in paragraphs (3) and (6) of subdivision (a) shall not be removed from being posted on the board's Internet Web site. (3) Notwithstanding paragraph (2) and except as provided in paragraph (4), if a licensee's hospital staff privileges are restored and the licensee notifies the board of the restoration, the information pertaining to the termination or revocation of those privileges, as described in paragraph (6) of subdivision (a), shall remain posted for a period of 10 years from the restoration date of the privileges, and at the end of that period shall be removed from being posted on the board's Internet Web site. (4) Notwithstanding paragraph (2), if a court finds, in a final judgment, that peer review resulting in a hospital disciplinary action was conducted in bad faith and the licensee notifies the board of that finding, the information concerning that hospital disciplinary action posted pursuant to paragraph (6) of subdivision (a) shall be immediately removed from the board's Internet Web site. For purposes of this paragraph, "peer review" has the same meaning as defined in Section 805. (d) The board shall also post on the Internet a factsheet that explains and provides information on the reporting requirements under Section 805. (e) The board shall provide links to other Web sites on the Internet that provide information on board certifications that meet the requirements of subdivision (b) of Section 651. The board may provide links to other Web sites on the Internet that provide information on health care service plans, health insurers, hospitals, or other facilities. The board may also provide links to any other sites that would provide information on the affiliations of licensed physicians and surgeons.