SB0149 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB095 06389 RAS 26486 b

95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2007 and 2008
SB0149

Introduced 1/31/2007, by Sen. Deanna Demuzio

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

See Index

Amends the Regulatory Sunset Act to extend the repeal date of the Physician Assistant Practice Act of 1987 from January 1, 2008 to January 1, 2018. Amends the Physician Assistant Practice Act of 1987. Replaces "Department of Professional Regulation" with "Department of Financial and Professional Regulation" and "Director of the Department of Professional Regulation" with "Secretary of Financial and Professional Regulation" throughout the Act. Changes the amount of the civil penalty imposed for each offense of unlicensed practice and the maximum amount of fines that may be imposed for each violation of the Act from $5,000 to $10,000. Makes changes to provisions concerning the physician assistant advisory committee, supervision requirements, qualifications, fees, endorsement, grounds for disciplinary action, and hearing officers. Makes other changes. Repeals a Section concerning the issuance of a license. Effective immediately.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning regulation.

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

Section 5. The Regulatory Sunset Act is amended by changing Section 4.18 and by adding Section 4.28 as follows:

(5 ILCS 80/4.18)

Sec. 4.18. Acts repealed January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2008.

(a) The following Acts are repealed on January 1, 2008:

The Acupuncture Practice Act.

The Clinical Social Work and Social Work Practice Act.

The Home Medical Equipment and Services Provider License Act.

The Nursing and Advanced Practice Nursing Act.

The Illinois Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Practice Act.

The Marriage and Family Therapy Licensing Act.

The Nursing Home Administrators Licensing and Disciplinary Act.

The Pharmacy Practice Act of 1987.

The Physician Assistant Practice Act of 1987.

The Podiatric Medical Practice Act of 1987.

The Structural Pest Control Act.

(b) The following Acts are repealed on December 31, 2008:

The Medical Practice Act of 1987.

The Environmental Health Practitioner Licensing Act.

(Source: P.A. 94-754, eff. 5-10-06; 94-1075, eff. 12-29-06; 94-1085, eff. 1-19-07; revised 1-22-07.)

(5 ILCS 80/4.28 new)

Sec. 4.28. Act repealed on January 1, 2018. The following Act is repealed on January 1, 2018:

The Physician Assistant Practice Act of 1987.

Section 10. The Physician Assistant Practice Act of 1987 is amended by changing Sections 3, 4, 7, 10.5, 11, 12, 14.1, 15, 21, 22, 22.1, 22.2, 22.5, 22.6, 22.7, 22.8, 22.9, 22.10, and 22.13 as follows:

(225 ILCS 95/3) (from Ch. 111, par. 4603)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2008)

Sec. 3. Administrative Procedure Act. The Illinois Administrative Procedure Act is hereby expressly adopted and incorporated herein as if all of the provisions of that Act were included in this Act, except that the provision of subsection (d) of Section 10-65 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act that provides that at hearings the licensee has the right to show compliance with all lawful requirements for retention, continuation or renewal of the license is specifically excluded. For the purposes of this Act the notice required under Section 10-25 of the Administrative Procedure Act is deemed sufficient when mailed to the last known address of a party. The Secretary Director may promulgate rules for the administration and enforcement of this Act and may prescribe forms to be issued in connection with this Act.

(Source: P.A. 88-45.)

(225 ILCS 95/4) (from Ch. 111, par. 4604)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2008)

Sec. 4. In this Act:

1. "Department" means the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

2. "Secretary Director" means the Secretary Director of Financial and Professional Regulation.

3. "Physician assistant" means any person not a physician who has been certified as a physician assistant by the National Commission on the Certification of Physician Assistants or equivalent successor agency and performs procedures under the supervision of a physician as defined in this Act. A physician assistant may perform such procedures within the specialty of the supervising physician, except that such physician shall exercise such direction, supervision and control over such physician assistants as will assure that patients shall receive quality medical care. Physician assistants shall be capable of performing a variety of tasks within the specialty of medical care under the supervision of a physician. Supervision of the physician assistant shall not be construed to necessarily require the personal presence of the supervising physician at all times at the place where services are rendered, as long as there is communication available for consultation by radio, telephone or telecommunications within established guidelines as determined by the physician/physician assistant team. The supervising physician may delegate tasks and duties to the physician assistant. Delegated tasks or duties shall be consistent with physician assistant education, training, and experience. The delegated tasks or duties shall be specific to the practice setting and shall be implemented and reviewed under guidelines established by the physician or physician/physician assistant team. A physician assistant, acting as an agent of the physician, shall be permitted to transmit the supervising physician's orders as determined by the institution's by-laws, policies, procedures, or job description within which the physician/physician assistant team practices. Physician assistants shall practice only within the established guidelines.

4. "Board" means the Medical Licensing Board constituted under the Medical Practice Act of 1987.

5. "Disciplinary Board" means the Medical Disciplinary Board constituted under the Medical Practice Act of 1987.

6. "Physician" means, for purposes of this Act, a person licensed to practice medicine in all its branches under the Medical Practice Act of 1987.

7. "Supervising Physician" means, for the purposes of this Act, the primary supervising physician of a physician assistant, who, within his specialty and expertise may delegate a variety of tasks and procedures to the physician assistant. Such tasks and procedures shall be delegated within established guidelines. The supervising physician maintains the final responsibility for the care of the patient and the performance of the physician assistant.

8. "Alternate supervising physician" means, for the purpose of this Act, any physician designated by the supervising physician to provide supervision in the event that he or she is unable to provide that supervision for a period not to exceed 30 days unless the Department is notified in writing. The Department may further define "alternate supervising physician" by rule.

The alternate supervising physicians shall maintain all the same responsibilities as the supervising physician. Nothing in this Act shall be construed as relieving any physician of the professional or legal responsibility for the care and treatment of persons attended by him or by physician assistants under his supervision. Nothing in this Act shall be construed as to limit the reasonable number of alternate supervising physicians, provided they are designated by the supervising physician.

(Source: P.A. 89-361, eff. 8-17-95.)

(225 ILCS 95/7) (from Ch. 111, par. 4607)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2008)

Sec. 7. Supervision requirements. No more than 2 physician assistants shall be supervised by the supervising physician, although a physician assistant shall be able to hold more than one professional position. Each supervising physician shall file a notice of supervision of such physician assistant according to the rules of the Department. However, the alternate supervising physician may supervise more than 2 physician assistants when the supervising physician is unable to provide such supervision consistent with the definition of alternate physician in Section 4. It is the responsibility of the supervising physician to maintain documentation each time he or she has designated an alternative supervising physician. This documentation shall include the date alternate supervisory control began, the date alternate supervisory control ended, and any other changes. A supervising physician shall provide a copy of this documentation to the Department, upon request.

Physician assistants shall be supervised only by physicians as defined in this Act who are engaged in clinical practice, or in clinical practice in public health or other community health facilities.

Nothing in this Act shall be construed to limit the delegation of tasks or duties by a physician to a nurse or other appropriately trained personnel.

Nothing in this Act shall be construed to prohibit the employment of physician assistants by a hospital, nursing home or other health care facility where such physician assistants function under the supervision of a supervising physician.

Physician assistants may be employed by the Department of Corrections or the Department of Human Services (as successor to the Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities) for service in facilities maintained by such Departments and affiliated training facilities in programs conducted under the authority of the Director of Corrections or the Secretary of Human Services. Each physician assistant employed by the Department of Corrections or the Department of Human Services (as successor to the Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities) shall be under the supervision of a physician engaged in clinical practice and direct patient care. Duties of each physician assistant employed by such Departments are limited to those within the scope of practice of the supervising physician who is fully responsible for all physician assistant activities.

A physician assistant may be employed by a practice group or other entity employing multiple physicians at one or more locations. In that case, one of the physicians practicing at a location shall be designated the supervising physician. The other physicians with that practice group or other entity who practice in the same general type of practice or specialty as the supervising physician may supervise the physician assistant with respect to their patients without being deemed alternate supervising physicians for the purpose of this Act.

(Source: P.A. 93-149, eff. 7-10-03.)

(225 ILCS 95/10.5)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2008)

Sec. 10.5. Unlicensed practice; violation; civil penalty.

(a) Any person who practices, offers to practice, attempts to practice, or holds oneself out to practice as a physician's assistant without being licensed under this Act shall, in addition to any other penalty provided by law, pay a civil penalty to the Department in an amount not to exceed $10,000 $5,000 for each offense as determined by the Department. The civil penalty shall be assessed by the Department after a hearing is held in accordance with the provisions set forth in this Act regarding the provision of a hearing for the discipline of a licensee.

(b) The Department has the authority and power to investigate any and all unlicensed activity.

(c) The civil penalty shall be paid within 60 days after the effective date of the order imposing the civil penalty. The order shall constitute a judgment and may be filed and execution had thereon in the same manner as any judgment from any court of record.

(Source: P.A. 89-474, eff. 6-18-96.)

(225 ILCS 95/11) (from Ch. 111, par. 4611)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2008)

Sec. 11. Committee. There is established a physician assistant advisory committee to the Medical Licensing Board. The physician assistant advisory committee shall review and make recommendations to the Board regarding all matters relating to physician assistants. The physician assistant advisory committee shall be composed of 7 members. Three of the 7 members shall be physicians, 2 of whom shall be members of the Board and appointed to the advisory committee by the chairman. One physician, not a member of the Board, shall be a supervisor of a certified physician assistant and shall be approved by the Governor from a list of Illinois physicians supervising certified physician assistants. Three members shall be physician assistants, certified under the law and appointed by the Governor from a list of 10 names recommended by the Board of Directors of the Illinois Academy of Physician Assistants. One member, not employed or having any material interest in any health care field, shall be appointed by the Governor and represent the public. The chairman of the physician assistant advisory committee shall be a member elected by a majority vote of the physician assistant advisory committee unless already a member of the Board. The physician assistant advisory committee is required to meet and report to the Board as physician assistant issues arise. The terms of office of each of the original 7 members shall be at staggered intervals. One physician and one physician assistant shall serve for a 2 year term. One physician and one physician assistant shall serve a 3 year term. One physician, one physician assistant and the public member shall serve a 4 year term. Upon the expiration of the term of any member, his successor shall be appointed for a term of 4 years in the same manner as the initial appointment. No member shall serve more than 2 consecutive terms.

The members of the physician assistant advisory committee shall be reimbursed for all authorized legitimate and necessary expenses incurred in attending the meetings of the committee.

A majority of the physician assistant advisory committee members currently appointed shall constitute a quorum. A vacancy in the membership of the committee shall not impair the right of a quorum to perform all of the duties of the committee.

Members of the physician assistant advisory committee shall have no liability for any action based upon a disciplinary proceeding or other activity performed in good faith as a member of the committee.

(Source: P.A. 90-61, eff. 12-30-97; 91-827, eff. 6-13-00.)

(225 ILCS 95/12) (from Ch. 111, par. 4612)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2008)

Sec. 12. A person shall be qualified for licensure as a physician assistant and the Department may issue a physician assistant license to a if that person who:

1. Has applied in writing in form and substance satisfactory to the Department and has not violated any of the provisions of Section 21 of this Act or the rules promulgated hereunder. The Department may take into consideration any felony conviction of the applicant but such conviction shall not operate as an absolute bar to licensure; and

2. Has successfully completed the examination provided by the National Commission on the Certification of Physician's Assistant or its successor agency; .

3. Holds a certificate issued by the National Commission on the Certification of Physician Assistants or an equivalent successor agency; and

4. Complies with all applicable rules of the Department.

(Source: P.A. 85-981.)

(225 ILCS 95/14.1)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2008)

Sec. 14.1. Fees.

(a) Fees collected for the administration of this Act shall be set by the The Department by rule shall provide by rule for a schedule of fees to be paid for licenses by all applicants. All fees are not refundable.

(b) (Blank). Except as provided in subsection (c) below, the fees for the administration and enforcement of this Act, including but not limited to original licensure, renewal, and restoration, shall be set by rule.

(c) All moneys collected under this Act by the Department shall be deposited in the Illinois State Medical Disciplinary Fund in the State Treasury and used (1) in the exercise of its powers and performance of its duties under this Act, as such use is made by the Department; (2) for costs directly related to license renewal of persons licensed under this Act; and (3) for the costs incurred by the physician assistant advisory committee in the exercise of its powers and performance of its duties under this Act, as such use is made by the Department; and (4) for direct and allocable indirect costs related to the public purposes of the Department of Professional Regulation.

All earnings received from investment of moneys in the Illinois State Medical Disciplinary Fund shall be deposited into the Illinois State Medical Disciplinary Fund and shall be used for the same purposes as fees deposited in the Fund.

(Source: P.A. 90-61, eff. 12-30-97.)

(225 ILCS 95/15) (from Ch. 111, par. 4615)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2008)

Sec. 15. Endorsement. Upon payment of the required fee, the Department may, in its discretion, license as a physician assistant, an An applicant who is may be approved as a physician assistant who has been licensed or approved in another jurisdiction, if the requirements for licensure in that jurisdiction were, at the time of licensure, state which has substantially equivalent to the requirements in force in this State on that date or equivalent to the requirements of this Act the same requirements, and to whom the applicant applies and pays a fee determined by the Department.

(Source: P.A. 85-981.)

(225 ILCS 95/21) (from Ch. 111, par. 4621)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2008)

Sec. 21. Grounds for disciplinary action.

(a) The Department may refuse to issue or to renew, or may revoke, suspend, place on probation, censure or reprimand, or take other disciplinary or non-disciplinary action with regard to any license issued under this Act as the Department may deem proper, including the issuance of fines not to exceed $10,000 $5000 for each violation, for any one or combination of the following causes:

(1) Material misstatement in furnishing information to the Department.

(2) Violations of this Act, or the rules adopted under this Act.

(3) Conviction of or entry of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to any crime that is a felony under the laws of the United States or any state or territory thereof any U.S. jurisdiction that is a felony or that is a misdemeanor, an essential element of which is dishonesty, or of any crime that which is directly related to the practice of the profession.

(4) Making any misrepresentation for the purpose of obtaining licenses.

(5) Professional incompetence.

(6) Aiding or assisting another person in violating any provision of this Act or its rules.

(7) Failing, within 60 days, to provide information in response to a written request made by the Department.

(8) Engaging in dishonorable, unethical, or unprofessional conduct, as defined by rule, of a character likely to deceive, defraud, or harm the public.

(9) Habitual or excessive use or addiction to alcohol, narcotics, stimulants, or any other chemical agent or drug that results in a physician assistant's inability to practice with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety.

(10) Discipline by another U.S. jurisdiction or foreign nation, if at least one of the grounds for discipline is the same or substantially equivalent to those set forth in this Section.

(11) Directly or indirectly giving to or receiving from any person, firm, corporation, partnership, or association any fee, commission, rebate or other form of compensation for any professional services not actually or personally rendered.

(12) A finding by the Disciplinary Board that the licensee, after having his or her license placed on probationary status has violated the terms of probation.

(13) Abandonment of a patient.

(14) Willfully making or filing false records or reports in his or her practice, including but not limited to false records filed with state agencies or departments.

(15) Willfully failing to report an instance of suspected child abuse or neglect as required by the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act.

(16) Physical illness, or mental illness or impairment including but not limited to deterioration through the aging process, or loss of motor skill, mental illness, or disability that results in the inability to practice the profession with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety, including, but not limited to, deterioration through the aging process or loss of motor skill.

(17) Being named as a perpetrator in an indicated report by the Department of Children and Family Services under the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act, and upon proof by clear and convincing evidence that the licensee has caused a child to be an abused child or neglected child as defined in the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act.

(18) (Blank). Conviction in this State or another state of any crime that is a felony under the laws of this State, or conviction of a felony in a federal court.

(19) Gross negligence malpractice resulting in permanent injury or death of a patient.

(20) Employment of fraud, deception or any unlawful means in applying for or securing a license as a physician assistant.

(21) Exceeding the authority delegated to him or her by his or her supervising physician in guidelines established by the physician/physician assistant team.

(22) Immoral conduct in the commission of any act, such as sexual abuse, sexual misconduct or sexual exploitation related to the licensee's practice.

(23) Violation of the Health Care Worker Self-Referral Act.

(24) Practicing under a false or assumed name, except as provided by law.

(25) Making a false or misleading statement regarding his or her skill or the efficacy or value of the medicine, treatment, or remedy prescribed by him or her in the course of treatment.

(26) Allowing another person to use his or her license to practice.

(27) Prescribing, selling, administering, distributing, giving, or self-administering a drug classified as a controlled substance (designated product) or narcotic for other than medically-accepted therapeutic purposes.

(28) Promotion of the sale of drugs, devices, appliances, or goods provided for a patient in a manner to exploit the patient for financial gain.

(29) A pattern of practice or other behavior that demonstrates incapacity or incompetence to practice under this Act.

(30) Violating State or federal laws or regulations relating to controlled substances or other legend drugs.

(31) Exceeding the limited prescriptive authority delegated by the supervising physician or violating the written guidelines delegating that authority.

(32) Practicing without providing to the Department a notice of supervision or delegation of prescriptive authority.

(b) The Department may, without a hearing, refuse to issue or renew or may suspend the license of any person who fails to file a return, or to pay the tax, penalty or interest shown in a filed return, or to pay any final assessment of the tax, penalty, or interest as required by any tax Act administered by the Illinois Department of Revenue, until such time as the requirements of any such tax Act are satisfied.

(c) The determination by a circuit court that a licensee is subject to involuntary admission or judicial admission as provided in the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code operates as an automatic suspension. The suspension will end only upon a finding by a court that the patient is no longer subject to involuntary admission or judicial admission and issues an order so finding and discharging the patient, and upon the recommendation of the Disciplinary Board to the Secretary Director that the licensee be allowed to resume his or her practice.

(d) In enforcing this Section, the Department upon a showing of a possible violation may compel an individual licensed to practice under this Act, or who has applied for licensure under this Act, to submit to a mental or physical examination, or both, as required by and at the expense of the Department. The Department may order the examining physician to present testimony concerning the mental or physical examination of the licensee or applicant. No information shall be excluded by reason of any common law or statutory privilege relating to communications between the licensee or applicant and the examining physician. The examining physicians shall be specifically designated by the Department. The individual to be examined may have, at his or her own expense, another physician of his or her choice present during all aspects of this examination. Failure of an individual to submit to a mental or physical examination, when directed, shall be grounds for suspension of his or her license until the individual submits to the examination if the Department finds, after notice and hearing, that the refusal to submit to the examination was without reasonable cause.

If the Department finds an individual unable to practice because of the reasons set forth in this Section, the Department may require that individual to submit to care, counseling, or treatment by physicians approved or designated by the Department, as a condition, term, or restriction for continued, reinstated, or renewed licensure to practice; or, in lieu of care, counseling, or treatment, the Department may file a complaint to immediately suspend, revoke, or otherwise discipline the license of the individual. An individual whose license was granted, continued, reinstated, renewed, disciplined, or supervised subject to such terms, conditions, or restrictions, and who fails to comply with such terms, conditions, or restrictions, shall be referred to the Secretary Director for a determination as to whether the individual shall have his or her license suspended immediately, pending a hearing by the Department.

In instances in which the Secretary Director immediately suspends a person's license under this Section, a hearing on that person's license must be convened by the Department within 15 days after the suspension and completed without appreciable delay. The Department shall have the authority to review the subject individual'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.

An individual licensed under this Act and affected under this Section shall be afforded an opportunity to demonstrate to the Department that he or she can resume practice in compliance with acceptable and prevailing standards under the provisions of his or her license.

(Source: P.A. 90-61, eff. 12-30-97; 90-116, eff. 7-14-97; 90-655, eff. 7-30-98.)

(225 ILCS 95/22) (from Ch. 111, par. 4622)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2008)

Sec. 22. Returned checks; fines. Any person who delivers a check or other payment to the Department that is returned to the Department unpaid by the financial institution upon which it is drawn shall pay to the Department, in addition to the amount already owed to the Department, a fine of $50. The fines imposed by this Section are in addition to any other discipline provided under this Act for unlicensed practice or practice on a nonrenewed license. The Department shall notify the person that payment of fees and fines shall be paid to the Department by certified check or money order within 30 calendar days of the notification. If, after the expiration of 30 days from the date of the notification, the person has failed to submit the necessary remittance, the Department shall automatically terminate the license or certificate or deny the application, without hearing. If, after termination or denial, the person seeks a license or certificate, he or she shall apply to the Department for restoration or issuance of the license or certificate and pay all fees and fines due to the Department. The Department may establish a fee for the processing of an application for restoration of a license or certificate to pay all expenses of processing this application. The Secretary Director may waive the fines due under this Section in individual cases where the Secretary Director finds that the fines would be unreasonable or unnecessarily burdensome.

(Source: P.A. 92-146, eff. 1-1-02.)

(225 ILCS 95/22.1) (from Ch. 111, par. 4622.1)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2008)

Sec. 22.1. Injunction.

(a) If any person violates the provision of this Act, the Secretary Director may, in the name of the People of the State of Illinois, through the Attorney General of the State of Illinois, or the State's Attorney of any county in which the action is brought, petition for an order enjoining the violation or for an order enforcing compliance with this Act. Upon the filing of a verified petition in court, the court may issue a temporary restraining order, without notice or bond, and may preliminarily and 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 Section shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, all other remedies and penalties provided by this Act.

(b) If any person shall practice as a physician assistant or hold himself or herself out as a physician assistant without being licensed under the provisions of this Act, then any licensed physician assistant, any interested party or any person injured thereby may, in addition to the Secretary Director, petition for relief as provided in subsection (a) of this Section.

(c) Whenever in the opinion of the Department any person violates any provision of this Act, the Department may issue a rule to show cause why an order to cease and desist should not be entered against him. The rule shall clearly set forth the grounds relied upon by the Department and shall provide a period of 7 days from the date of the rule to file an answer to the satisfaction of the Department. Failure to answer to the satisfaction of the Department shall cause an order to cease and desist to be issued forthwith.

(Source: P.A. 90-61, eff. 12-30-97.)

(225 ILCS 95/22.2) (from Ch. 111, par. 4622.2)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2008)

Sec. 22.2. Investigation; notice; hearing. The Department may investigate the actions of any applicant or of any person or persons holding or claiming to hold a license. The Department shall, before suspending, revoking, placing on probationary status, or taking any other disciplinary action as the Department may deem proper with regard to any license, at least 30 days prior to the date set for the hearing, notify the applicant or licensee in writing of any charges made and the time and place for a hearing of the charges before the Disciplinary Board, direct him or her to file his or her written answer thereto to the Disciplinary Board under oath within 20 days after the service on him or her of such notice and inform him or her that if he or she fails to file such answer default will be taken against him or her and his or her license may be suspended, revoked, placed on probationary status, or have other disciplinary action, including limiting the scope, nature or extent of his or her practice, as the Department may deem proper taken with regard thereto. Such written notice may be served by personal delivery or certified or registered mail at the last address of his or her last notification to the Department. At the time and place fixed in the notice, the Department shall proceed to hear the charges and the parties or their counsel shall be accorded ample opportunity to present such statements, testimony, evidence, and argument as may be pertinent to the charges or to the defense thereto. The Department may continue such hearing from time to time. In case the applicant or licensee, after receiving notice, fails to file an answer, his or her license may in the discretion of the Secretary Director, having received first the recommendation of the Disciplinary Board, be suspended, revoked, placed on probationary status, or the Secretary Director may take whatever disciplinary action as he or she may deem proper, including limiting the scope, nature, or extent of such person's practice, without a hearing, if the act or acts charged constitute sufficient grounds for such action under this Act.

(Source: P.A. 90-61, eff. 12-30-97.)

(225 ILCS 95/22.5) (from Ch. 111, par. 4622.5)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2008)

Sec. 22.5. Subpoena power; oaths. The Department shall have power to subpoena and bring before it any person and to take testimony either orally or by deposition or both, with the same fees and mileage and in the same manner as prescribed by law in judicial proceedings in civil cases in circuit courts of this State.

The Secretary Director, the designated hearing officer, and any member of the Disciplinary Board designated by the Secretary Director shall each have power to administer oaths to witnesses at any hearing which the Department is authorized to conduct under this Act and any other oaths required or authorized to be administered by the Department under this Act.

(Source: P.A. 90-61, eff. 12-30-97.)

(225 ILCS 95/22.6) (from Ch. 111, par. 4622.6)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2008)

Sec. 22.6. At the conclusion of the hearing the Disciplinary Board shall present to the Secretary Director a written report of its findings of fact, conclusions of law and recommendations. The report shall contain a finding whether or not the accused person violated this Act or failed to comply with the conditions required in this Act. The Disciplinary Board shall specify the nature of the violation or failure to comply, and shall make its recommendations to the Secretary Director.

The report of findings of fact, conclusions of law and recommendation of the Disciplinary Board shall be the basis for the Department's order or refusal or for the granting of a license or permit. If the Secretary Director disagrees in any regard with the report of the Disciplinary Board, the Secretary Director may issue an order in contravention thereof. The Secretary Director shall provide a written report to the Disciplinary Board on any deviation, and shall specify with particularity the reasons for such action in the final order. The finding is not admissible in evidence against the person in a criminal prosecution brought for the violation of this Act, but the hearing and finding are not a bar to a criminal prosecution brought for the violation of this Act.

(Source: P.A. 85-981.)

(225 ILCS 95/22.7) (from Ch. 111, par. 4622.7)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2008)

Sec. 22.7. Hearing officer. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 22.2 of this Act, the Secretary Director shall have the authority to appoint any attorney duly licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois to serve as the hearing officer in any action for refusal to issue or renew, or for discipline of, a license. The Secretary Director shall notify the Disciplinary Board of any such appointment. The hearing officer shall have full authority to conduct the hearing. The hearing officer shall report his or her findings of fact, conclusions of law, and recommendations to the Disciplinary Board and the Secretary Director. The Disciplinary Board shall have 60 days from receipt of the report to review the report of the hearing officer and present their findings of fact, conclusions of law, and recommendations to the Secretary Director. If the Disciplinary Board fails to present its report within the 60 day period, the Secretary may Director shall issue an order based on the report of the hearing officer. If the Secretary Director disagrees in any regard with the report of the Disciplinary Board or hearing officer, he or she may issue an order in contravention thereof. The Secretary Director shall provide a written explanation to the Disciplinary Board on any such deviation, and shall specify with particularity the reasons for such action in the final order.

(Source: P.A. 90-61, eff. 12-30-97.)

(225 ILCS 95/22.8) (from Ch. 111, par. 4622.8)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2008)

Sec. 22.8. In any case involving the refusal to issue, renew or discipline of a license, a copy of the Disciplinary Board's report shall be served upon the respondent by the Department, either personally or as provided in this Act for the service of the notice of hearing. Within 20 days after such service, the respondent may present to the Department a motion in writing for a rehearing, which motion shall specify the particular grounds therefor. If no motion for rehearing is filed, then upon the expiration of the time specified for filing such a motion, or if a motion for rehearing is denied, then upon such denial the Secretary Director may enter an order in accordance with recommendations of the Disciplinary Board except as provided in Section 22.6 or 22.7 of this Act. If the respondent shall order from the reporting service, and pay for a transcript of the record within the time for filing a motion for rehearing, the 20 day period within which such a motion may be filed shall commence upon the delivery of the transcript to the respondent.

(Source: P.A. 85-981.)

(225 ILCS 95/22.9) (from Ch. 111, par. 4622.9)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2008)

Sec. 22.9. Whenever the Secretary Director is satisfied that substantial justice has not been done in the revocation, suspension or refusal to issue or renew a license, the Secretary Director may order a rehearing by the same or another hearing officer or Disciplinary Board.

(Source: P.A. 85-981.)

(225 ILCS 95/22.10) (from Ch. 111, par. 4622.10)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2008)

Sec. 22.10. Order or certified copy; prima facie proof. An order or a certified copy thereof, over the seal of the Department and purporting to be signed by the Secretary Director, shall be prima facie proof that:

(a) the signature is the genuine signature of the Secretary Director;

(b) the Secretary Director is duly appointed and qualified; and

(c) the Disciplinary Board and the members thereof are qualified to act.

(Source: P.A. 91-357, eff. 7-29-99.)

(225 ILCS 95/22.13) (from Ch. 111, par. 4622.13)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2008)

Sec. 22.13. The Secretary Director may temporarily suspend the license of a physician assistant without a hearing, simultaneously with the institution of proceedings for a hearing provided for in Section 22.2 of this Act, if the Secretary Director finds that evidence in his possession indicates that continuation in practice would constitute an imminent danger to the public. In the event that the Secretary Director suspends, temporarily, this license without a hearing, a hearing by the Department must be held within 30 days after such suspension has occurred, and concluded without appreciable delay.

(Source: P.A. 85-981.)

(225 ILCS 95/14 rep.)

Section 15. The Physician Assistant Practice Act of 1987 is amended by repealing Section 14.

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