HB2576 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB094 03783 RAS 33793 b

94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2005 and 2006
HB2576

Introduced 02/18/05, by Rep. Angelo Saviano

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

225 ILCS 60/9	from Ch. 111, par. 4400-9
225 ILCS 60/23	from Ch. 111, par. 4400-23
225 ILCS 60/32 rep.

Amends the Medical Practice Act of 1987. Makes changes in the determination of professional capacity. Requires certain applicants to submit proof of professional capacity. Removes provisions requiring the Disciplinary Board to send the summary report of final actions taken upon disciplinary files. Provides that the report must be made available to the public upon request and payment of the fees set by the Department and may be made available to the public on the Internet through the State of Illinois World Wide Web site. Repeals provisions allowing persons licensed in another state to practice medicine in Illinois pending examination. Effective immediately.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning professional regulation.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Medical Practice Act of 1987 is amended by changing Sections 9 and 23 as follows:

(225 ILCS 60/9) (from Ch. 111, par. 4400-9)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2007)

Sec. 9. Application for license. Each applicant for a license shall:

(A) Make application on blank forms prepared and furnished by the Department of Professional Regulation hereinafter referred to as the Department.

(B) Submit evidence satisfactory to the Department that the applicant:

(1) is of good moral character. In determining moral character under this Section, the Department may take into consideration whether the applicant has engaged in conduct or activities which would constitute grounds for discipline under this Act. The Department may also request the applicant to submit, and may consider as evidence of moral character, endorsements from 2 or 3 individuals licensed under this Act;

(2) has the preliminary and professional education required by this Act;

(3) (blank); and

(4) is physically, mentally, and professionally capable of practicing medicine with reasonable judgment, skill, and safety. In determining physical, mental and professional capacity under this Section, the Medical Licensing Board may, upon a showing of a possible incapacity, compel any applicant to submit to a mental or physical examination, or both. The Licensing Board may condition or restrict any license, subject to the same terms and conditions as are provided for the Medical Disciplinary Board under Section 22 of this Act. Any such condition of a restricted license shall provide that the Chief Medical Coordinator or Deputy Medical Coordinator shall have the authority to review the subject physician's compliance with such conditions or restrictions, including, where appropriate, the physician's record of treatment and counseling regarding the impairment, to the extent permitted by applicable federal statutes and regulations safeguarding the confidentiality of medical records of patients.

In determining professional capacity under this Section, an individual may be required to complete such additional testing, training, or remedial education as the Licensing Board may deem necessary in order to establish the applicant's present capacity to practice medicine with reasonable judgment, skill, and safety. The Medical Licensing Board may consider, as part of its determination of the professional capacity of the applicant, the following:

(i) medical research in an established research facility, hospital, university, or private corporation;

(ii) specialized training or education;

(iii) publication of original work in learned, medical, or scientific journals;

(iv) participation in federal, state, local, or international public health programs or organizations;

(v) professional service in a federal, veterans, or military institution; and

(vi) such other professional activities as would maintain and enhance the clinical capabilities of the applicant.

Any applicant applying for a license to practice medicine in all of its branches or for a license as a chiropractic physician that has not been engaged in the active practice of medicine or has not been enrolled in a medical program for 2 years prior to application must submit proof of professional capacity.

Any applicant applying for a temporary license that has not been engaged in the active practice of medicine or has not been enrolled in a medical program for 5 years prior to application must submit proof of professional capacity. In determining professional capacity under this Section any individual who has not been actively engaged in the practice of medicine or as a medical, osteopathic, or chiropractic student or who has not been engaged in a formal program of medical education during the 2 years immediately preceding their application may be required to complete such additional testing, training, or remedial education as the Licensing Board may deem necessary in order to establish the applicant's present capacity to practice medicine with reasonable judgment, skill, and safety.

(C) Designate specifically the name, location, and kind of professional school, college, or institution of which the applicant is a graduate and the category under which the applicant seeks, and will undertake, to practice.

(D) Pay to the Department at the time of application the required fees.

(E) Pursuant to Department rules, as required, pass an examination authorized by the Department to determine the applicant's fitness to receive a license.

(F) Complete the application process within 3 years from the date of application. If the process has not been completed within 3 years, the application shall be denied, application fees shall be forfeited, and the applicant must reapply and meet the requirements in effect at the time of reapplication.

(Source: P.A. 89-387, eff. 8-20-95; 89-702, eff. 7-1-97.)

(225 ILCS 60/23) (from Ch. 111, par. 4400-23)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2007)

Sec. 23. Reports relating to professional conduct and capacity.

(A) Entities required to report.

(1) Health care institutions. The chief administrator or executive officer of any health care institution licensed by the Illinois Department of Public Health shall report to the Disciplinary Board when any person's clinical privileges are terminated or are restricted based on a final determination, in accordance with that institution's by-laws or rules and regulations, that a person has either committed an act or acts which may directly threaten patient care, and not of an administrative nature, or that a person may be mentally or physically disabled in such a manner as to endanger patients under that person's care. Such officer also shall report if a person accepts voluntary termination or restriction of clinical privileges in lieu of formal action based upon conduct related directly to patient care and not of an administrative nature, or in lieu of formal action seeking to determine whether a person may be mentally or physically disabled in such a manner as to endanger patients under that person's care. The Medical Disciplinary Board shall, by rule, provide for the reporting to it of all instances in which a person, licensed under this Act, who is impaired by reason of age, drug or alcohol abuse or physical or mental impairment, is under supervision and, where appropriate, is in a program of rehabilitation. Such reports shall be strictly confidential and may be reviewed and considered only by the members of the Disciplinary Board, or by authorized staff as provided by rules of the Disciplinary Board. Provisions shall be made for the periodic report of the status of any such person not less than twice annually in order that the Disciplinary Board shall have current information upon which to determine the status of any such person. Such initial and periodic reports of impaired physicians shall not be considered records within the meaning of The State Records Act and shall be disposed of, following a determination by the Disciplinary Board that such reports are no longer required, in a manner and at such time as the Disciplinary Board shall determine by rule. The filing of such reports shall be construed as the filing of a report for purposes of subsection (C) of this Section.

(2) Professional associations. The President or chief executive officer of any association or society, of persons licensed under this Act, operating within this State shall report to the Disciplinary Board when the association or society renders a final determination that a person has committed unprofessional conduct related directly to patient care or that a person may be mentally or physically disabled in such a manner as to endanger patients under that person's care.

(3) Professional liability insurers. Every insurance company which offers policies of professional liability insurance to persons licensed under this Act, or any other entity which seeks to indemnify the professional liability of a person licensed under this Act, shall report to the Disciplinary Board the settlement of any claim or cause of action, or final judgment rendered in any cause of action, which alleged negligence in the furnishing of medical care by such licensed person when such settlement or final judgment is in favor of the plaintiff.

(4) State's Attorneys. The State's Attorney of each county shall report to the Disciplinary Board all instances in which a person licensed under this Act is convicted or otherwise found guilty of the commission of any felony. The State's Attorney of each county may report to the Disciplinary Board through a verified complaint any instance in which the State's Attorney believes that a physician has willfully violated the notice requirements of the Parental Notice of Abortion Act of 1995.

(5) State agencies. All agencies, boards, commissions, departments, or other instrumentalities of the government of the State of Illinois shall report to the Disciplinary Board any instance arising in connection with the operations of such agency, including the administration of any law by such agency, in which a person licensed under this Act has either committed an act or acts which may be a violation of this Act or which may constitute unprofessional conduct related directly to patient care or which indicates that a person licensed under this Act may be mentally or physically disabled in such a manner as to endanger patients under that person's care.

(B) Mandatory reporting. All reports required by items (34), (35), and (36) of subsection (A) of Section 22 and by Section 23 shall be submitted to the Disciplinary Board in a timely fashion. The reports shall be filed in writing within 60 days after a determination that a report is required under this Act. All reports shall contain the following information:

(1) The name, address and telephone number of the person making the report.

(2) The name, address and telephone number of the person who is the subject of the report.

(3) The name or other means of identification of any patient or patients whose treatment is a subject of the report, provided, however, no medical records may be revealed without the written consent of the patient or patients.

(4) A brief description of the facts which gave rise to the issuance of the report, including the dates of any occurrences deemed to necessitate the filing of the report.

(5) If court action is involved, the identity of the court in which the action is filed, along with the docket number and date of filing of the action.

(6) Any further pertinent information which the reporting party deems to be an aid in the evaluation of the report.

The Department shall have the right to inform patients of the right to provide written consent for the Department to obtain copies of hospital and medical records. The Disciplinary Board or Department may exercise the power under Section 38 of this Act to subpoena copies of hospital or medical records in mandatory report cases alleging death or permanent bodily injury when consent to obtain records is not provided by a patient or legal representative. Appropriate rules shall be adopted by the Department with the approval of the Disciplinary Board.

When the Department has received written reports concerning incidents required to be reported in items (34), (35), and (36) of subsection (A) of Section 22, the licensee's failure to report the incident to the Department under those items shall not be the sole grounds for disciplinary action.

Nothing contained in this Section shall act to in any way, waive or modify the confidentiality of medical reports and committee reports to the extent provided by law. Any information reported or disclosed shall be kept for the confidential use of the Disciplinary Board, the Medical Coordinators, the Disciplinary Board's attorneys, the medical investigative staff, and authorized clerical staff, as provided in this Act, and shall be afforded the same status as is provided information concerning medical studies in Part 21 of Article VIII of the Code of Civil Procedure.

(C) Immunity from prosecution. Any individual or organization acting in good faith, and not in a wilful and wanton manner, in complying with this Act by providing any report or other information to the Disciplinary Board, or assisting in the investigation or preparation of such information, or by participating in proceedings of the Disciplinary Board, or by serving as a member of the Disciplinary Board, shall not, as a result of such actions, be subject to criminal prosecution or civil damages.

(D) Indemnification. Members of the Disciplinary Board, the Medical Coordinators, the Disciplinary Board's attorneys, the medical investigative staff, physicians retained under contract to assist and advise the medical coordinators in the investigation, and authorized clerical staff shall be indemnified by the State for any actions occurring within the scope of services on the Disciplinary Board, done in good faith and not wilful and wanton in nature. The Attorney General shall defend all such actions unless he or she determines either that there would be a conflict of interest in such representation or that the actions complained of were not in good faith or were wilful and wanton.

Should the Attorney General decline representation, the member shall have the right to employ counsel of his or her choice, whose fees shall be provided by the State, after approval by the Attorney General, unless there is a determination by a court that the member's actions were not in good faith or were wilful and wanton.

The member must notify the Attorney General within 7 days of receipt of notice of the initiation of any action involving services of the Disciplinary Board. Failure to so notify the Attorney General shall constitute an absolute waiver of the right to a defense and indemnification.

The Attorney General shall determine within 7 days after receiving such notice, whether he or she will undertake to represent the member.

(E) Deliberations of Disciplinary Board. Upon the receipt of any report called for by this Act, other than those reports of impaired persons licensed under this Act required pursuant to the rules of the Disciplinary Board, the Disciplinary Board shall notify in writing, by certified mail, the person who is the subject of the report. Such notification shall be made within 30 days of receipt by the Disciplinary Board of the report.

The notification shall include a written notice setting forth the person's right to examine the report. Included in such notification shall be the address at which the file is maintained, the name of the custodian of the reports, and the telephone number at which the custodian may be reached. The person who is the subject of the report shall submit a written statement responding, clarifying, adding to, or proposing the amending of the report previously filed. The statement shall become a permanent part of the file and must be received by the Disciplinary Board no more than 60 days after the date on which the person was notified by the Disciplinary Board of the existence of the original report.

The Disciplinary Board shall review all reports received by it, together with any supporting information and responding statements submitted by persons who are the subject of reports. The review by the Disciplinary Board shall be in a timely manner but in no event, shall the Disciplinary Board's initial review of the material contained in each disciplinary file be less than 61 days nor more than 180 days after the receipt of the initial report by the Disciplinary Board.

When the Disciplinary Board makes its initial review of the materials contained within its disciplinary files, the Disciplinary Board shall, in writing, make a determination as to whether there are sufficient facts to warrant further investigation or action. Failure to make such determination within the time provided shall be deemed to be a determination that there are not sufficient facts to warrant further investigation or action.

Should the Disciplinary Board find that there are not sufficient facts to warrant further investigation, or action, the report shall be accepted for filing and the matter shall be deemed closed and so reported to the Director. The Director shall then have 30 days to accept the Medical Disciplinary Board's decision or request further investigation. The Director shall inform the Board in writing of the decision to request further investigation, including the specific reasons for the decision. The individual or entity filing the original report or complaint and the person who is the subject of the report or complaint shall be notified in writing by the Director of any final action on their report or complaint.

(F) Summary reports. The Disciplinary Board shall prepare, on a timely basis, but in no event less than one every other month, a summary report of final actions taken upon disciplinary files maintained by the Disciplinary Board. This publication must be made available to the public upon request and payment of the fees set by the Department. This publication may be made available to the public on the Internet through the State of Illinois World Wide Web site. The summary reports shall be sent by the Disciplinary Board to every health care facility licensed by the Illinois Department of Public Health, every professional association and society of persons licensed under this Act functioning on a statewide basis in this State, the American Medical Association, the American Osteopathic Association, the American Chiropractic Association, all insurers providing professional liability insurance to persons licensed under this Act in the State of Illinois, the Federation of State Medical Licensing Boards, and the Illinois Pharmacists Association.

(G) Any violation of this Section shall be a Class A misdemeanor.

(H) If any such person violates the provisions of this Section an action may be brought in the name of the People of the State of Illinois, through the Attorney General of the State of Illinois, for an order enjoining such violation or for an order enforcing compliance with this Section. Upon filing of a verified petition in such court, the court may issue a temporary restraining order without notice or bond and may preliminarily or permanently enjoin such violation, and if it is established that such person has violated or is violating the injunction, the court may punish the offender for contempt of court. Proceedings under this paragraph shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, all other remedies and penalties provided for by this Section.

(Source: P.A. 89-18, eff. 6-1-95; 89-702, eff. 7-1-97; 90-699, eff. 1-1-99.)

(225 ILCS 60/32 rep.)

Section 10. The Medical Practice Act of 1987 is amended by repealing Section 32.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.