HB0214 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB097 05718 EFG 45782 b

97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2011 and 2012
HB0214

Introduced 01/21/11, by Rep. Dan Reitz

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

See Index

Amends the Regulatory Sunset Act. Extends the repeal date of the Medical Practice Act of 1987 from November 30, 2011 to January 1, 2021. Also includes revisory changes. Amends the Medical Practice Act of 1987. Provides that in determining what action to take or whether to proceed with prosecution of a complaint, the Complaint Committee shall consider any recommendation made by the Department. Sets forth criteria that the Licensing Board may consider in making a determination of professional capacity, and makes other changes concerning professional capacity. Makes a change concerning a visiting professor permit. Changes references from "licensure without examination" to "licensure by endorsement". Makes a change concerning requiring an examination. Adds specific requirements for mental and physical examinations required by the Licensing Board or Disciplinary Board, and authorizes a substance abuse or sexual offender evaluation. Changes the reporting requirements for State's Attorneys. Allows the disclosure of certain confidential information to a medical licensing authority of another state or jurisdiction in certain instances. Repeals a Section concerning the practice of medicine by persons licensed in any other state who have applied for a license to practice medicine in this State. Makes other changes. Also reenacts certain provisions of Public Act 94-677, which was declared to be unconstitutional; includes explanatory and validation provisions. 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 1. Findings; purpose; base text and changes; validation.

(a) The Illinois Supreme Court, in Lebron v. Gottlieb Memorial Hospital, found that the limitations on noneconomic damages in medical malpractice actions that were created in Public Act 94-677, contained in Section 2-1706.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure, violate the separation of powers clause of the Illinois Constitution. Because Public Act 94-677 contained an inseverability provision, the Court held the Act to be void in its entirety. The Court emphasized, however, that "because the other provisions contained in Public Act 94-677 are deemed invalid solely on inseverability grounds, the legislature remains free to reenact any provisions it deems appropriate".

(b) Public Act 94-677 amended Sections 7, 22, 23, 24, 24.1 and 36 of the Medical Practice Act of 1987; those provisions did not involve limitations on noneconomic damages in medical malpractice actions. It is one of the purposes of this Act to reenact those provisions, and to validate certain actions taken in reliance on those provisions.

(c) In this Act, the reenacted provisions of P.A. 94-677 are included in the base text of the affected Sections without the use of striking and underscoring.

Sections 22, 23, and 36 of the Medical Practice Act of 1987 have been amended since P.A. 94-677. The base text of those Sections includes both the reenacted changes made by P.A. 94-677 and the changes made by subsequent amendments. Sections 22 and 23 of the Medical Practice Act of 1987 also contain new changes, unrelated to the reenactment; the new changes are shown with striking and underscoring.

(d) All otherwise lawful actions taken in reasonable reliance on or pursuant to the provisions reenacted by this Act, as set forth in Public Act 94-677 or subsequently amended, by any officer, employee, agency, or unit of State or local government or by any other person or entity, are hereby validated.

With respect to actions taken in relation to matters arising under the provisions reenacted by this Act, a person is rebuttably presumed to have acted in reasonable reliance on and pursuant to the provisions of Public Act 94-677, as those provisions had been amended at the time the action was taken.

With respect to their administration of matters arising under the provisions reenacted by this Act, officers, employees, agencies, and units of State and local government shall continue to apply the provisions of Public Act 94-677, as those provisions had been amended at the relevant time.

Section 5. The Regulatory Sunset Act is amended by changing Sections 4.21 and 4.31 as follows:

(5 ILCS 80/4.21)

Sec. 4.21. Act Acts repealed on January 1, 2011 and November 30, 2011. (a) The following Act is Acts are repealed on January 1, 2011:

The Fire Equipment Distributor and Employee Regulation Act of 2000.

(b) The following Act is repealed on November 30, 2011:

The Medical Practice Act of 1987.

(Source: P.A. 96-1041, eff. 7-14-10; 96-1492, eff. 12-30-10.)

(5 ILCS 80/4.31)

Sec. 4.31. Acts Act repealed on January 1, 2021. The following Acts are Act is repealed on January 1, 2021:

The Crematory Regulation Act.

The Cemetery Oversight Act.

The Illinois Health Information Exchange and Technology Act.

The Medical Practice Act of 1987.

The Radiation Protection Act of 1990.

(Source: P.A. 96-1041, eff. 7-14-10; 96-1331, eff. 7-27-10; incorporates P.A. 96-863, eff. 3-1-10; revised 9-9-10.)

Section 10. The Medical Practice Act of 1987 is amended by changing Sections 7.5, 9, 18, 19, and 26, by reenacting Sections 7, 24, 24.1, and 36, and by changing and reenacting Sections 22 and 23 as follows:

(225 ILCS 60/7) (from Ch. 111, par. 4400-7)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on November 30, 2011)

(Text of Section WITH the changes made by P.A. 94-677, which has been held unconstitutional)

Sec. 7. Medical Disciplinary Board.

(A) There is hereby created the Illinois State Medical Disciplinary Board (hereinafter referred to as the "Disciplinary Board"). The Disciplinary Board shall consist of 11 members, to be appointed by the Governor by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. All members shall be residents of the State, not more than 6 of whom shall be members of the same political party. All members shall be voting members. Five members shall be physicians licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches in Illinois possessing the degree of doctor of medicine, and it shall be the goal that at least one of the members practice in the field of neurosurgery, one of the members practice in the field of obstetrics and gynecology, and one of the members practice in the field of cardiology. One member shall be a physician licensed to practice in Illinois possessing the degree of doctor of osteopathy or osteopathic medicine. One member shall be a physician licensed to practice in Illinois and possessing the degree of doctor of chiropractic. Four members shall be members of the public, who shall not be engaged in any way, directly or indirectly, as providers of health care.

(B) Members of the Disciplinary Board shall be appointed for terms of 4 years. Upon the expiration of the term of any member, their successor shall be appointed for a term of 4 years by the Governor by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Governor shall fill any vacancy for the remainder of the unexpired term by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Upon recommendation of the Board, any member of the Disciplinary Board may be removed by the Governor for misfeasance, malfeasance, or wilful neglect of duty, after notice, and a public hearing, unless such notice and hearing shall be expressly waived in writing. Each member shall serve on the Disciplinary Board until their successor is appointed and qualified. No member of the Disciplinary Board shall serve more than 2 consecutive 4 year terms.

In making appointments the Governor shall attempt to insure that the various social and geographic regions of the State of Illinois are properly represented.

In making the designation of persons to act for the several professions represented on the Disciplinary Board, the Governor shall give due consideration to recommendations by members of the respective professions and by organizations therein.

(C) The Disciplinary Board shall annually elect one of its voting members as chairperson and one as vice chairperson. No officer shall be elected more than twice in succession to the same office. Each officer shall serve until their successor has been elected and qualified.

(D) (Blank).

(E) Six voting members of the Disciplinary Board, at least 4 of whom are physicians, shall constitute a quorum. A vacancy in the membership of the Disciplinary Board shall not impair the right of a quorum to exercise all the rights and perform all the duties of the Disciplinary Board. Any action taken by the Disciplinary Board under this Act may be authorized by resolution at any regular or special meeting and each such resolution shall take effect immediately. The Disciplinary Board shall meet at least quarterly. The Disciplinary Board is empowered to adopt all rules and regulations necessary and incident to the powers granted to it under this Act.

(F) Each member, and member-officer, of the Disciplinary Board shall receive a per diem stipend as the Secretary of the Department, hereinafter referred to as the Secretary, shall determine. The Secretary shall also determine the per diem stipend that each ex-officio member shall receive. Each member shall be paid their necessary expenses while engaged in the performance of their duties.

(G) The Secretary shall select a Chief Medical Coordinator and not less than 2 Deputy Medical Coordinators who shall not be members of the Disciplinary Board. Each medical coordinator shall be a physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches, and the Secretary shall set their rates of compensation. The Secretary shall assign at least one medical coordinator to a region composed of Cook County and such other counties as the Secretary may deem appropriate, and such medical coordinator or coordinators shall locate their office in Chicago. The Secretary shall assign at least one medical coordinator to a region composed of the balance of counties in the State, and such medical coordinator or coordinators shall locate their office in Springfield. Each medical coordinator shall be the chief enforcement officer of this Act in his or her assigned region and shall serve at the will of the Disciplinary Board.

The Secretary shall employ, in conformity with the Personnel Code, not less than one full time investigator for every 2,500 physicians licensed in the State. Each investigator shall be a college graduate with at least 2 years' investigative experience or one year advanced medical education. Upon the written request of the Disciplinary Board, the Secretary shall employ, in conformity with the Personnel Code, such other professional, technical, investigative, and clerical help, either on a full or part-time basis as the Disciplinary Board deems necessary for the proper performance of its duties.

(H) Upon the specific request of the Disciplinary Board, signed by either the chairman, vice chairman, or a medical coordinator of the Disciplinary Board, the Department of Human Services or the Department of State Police shall make available any and all information that they have in their possession regarding a particular case then under investigation by the Disciplinary Board.

(I) Members of the Disciplinary Board shall be immune from suit in any action based upon any disciplinary proceedings or other acts performed in good faith as members of the Disciplinary Board.

(J) The Disciplinary Board may compile and establish a statewide roster of physicians and other medical professionals, including the several medical specialties, of such physicians and medical professionals, who have agreed to serve from time to time as advisors to the medical coordinators. Such advisors shall assist the medical coordinators or the Disciplinary Board in their investigations and participation in complaints against physicians. Such advisors shall serve under contract and shall be reimbursed at a reasonable rate for the services provided, plus reasonable expenses incurred. While serving in this capacity, the advisor, for any act undertaken in good faith and in the conduct of their duties under this Section, shall be immune from civil suit.

(Source: P.A. 93-138, eff. 7-10-03; 94-677, eff. 8-25-05.)

(225 ILCS 60/7.5)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on November 30, 2011)

Sec. 7.5. Complaint Committee.

(a) There shall be a Complaint Committee of the Disciplinary Board composed of at least one of the medical coordinators established by subsection (g) of Section 7 of this Act, the Chief of Medical Investigations (person employed by the Department who is in charge of investigating complaints against physicians and physician assistants), and at least 3 voting members of the Disciplinary Board (at least 2 of whom shall be physicians) designated by the Chairman of the Medical Disciplinary Board with the approval of the Disciplinary Board. The Disciplinary Board members so appointed shall serve one-year terms and may be eligible for reappointment for subsequent terms.

(b) The Complaint Committee shall meet at least twice a month to exercise its functions and duties set forth in subsection (c) below. At least 2 members of the Disciplinary Board shall be in attendance in order for any business to be transacted by the Complaint Committee. The Complaint Committee shall make every effort to consider expeditiously and take prompt action on each item on its agenda.

(c) The Complaint Committee shall have the following duties and functions:

(1) To recommend to the Disciplinary Board that a complaint file be closed.

(2) To refer a complaint file to the office of the Chief of Medical Prosecutions (person employed by the Department who is in charge of prosecuting formal complaints against licensees) for review.

(3) To make a decision in conjunction with the Chief of Medical Prosecutions regarding action to be taken on a complaint file.

(d) In determining what action to take or whether to proceed with prosecution of a complaint, the Complaint Committee shall consider, but not be limited to, the following factors: sufficiency of the evidence presented, prosecutorial merit under Section 22 of this Act, any recommendation made by the Department, and insufficient cooperation from complaining parties.

(Source: P.A. 93-214, eff. 1-1-04.)

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

(Section scheduled to be repealed on November 30, 2011)

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 or conduct or activities which would constitute grounds for discipline under this Act, compel any applicant to submit to a mental or physical examination, or both as provided for in Section 22 of this Act. 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 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. The Medical Licensing Board may consider all of the following criteria as they relate to an applicant, as part of its determination of professional capacity:

(1) Medical research in an established research facility, hospital, college or university, or private corporation.

(2) Specialized training or education.

(3) Publication of original work in learned, medical or scientific journals.

(4) Participation in federal, State, local, or international public health programs or organizations.

(5) Professional service in a federal veterans or military institution.

(6) Any other professional activities deemed to 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 who 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 to the Medical Licensing Board.

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 longer than 5 years prior to application must submit proof of professional capacity to the Medical Licensing Board.

(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 60/18) (from Ch. 111, par. 4400-18)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on November 30, 2011)

Sec. 18. Visiting professor, physician, or resident permits.

(A) Visiting professor permit.

(1) A visiting professor permit shall entitle a person to practice medicine in all of its branches or to practice the treatment of human ailments without the use of drugs and without operative surgery provided:

(a) the person maintains an equivalent authorization to practice medicine in all of its branches or to practice the treatment of human ailments without the use of drugs and without operative surgery in good standing in their native licensing jurisdiction during the period of the visiting professor permit;

(b) the person has received a faculty appointment to teach in a medical, osteopathic or chiropractic school in Illinois; and

(c) the Department may prescribe the information necessary to establish an applicant's eligibility for a permit. This information shall include without limitation (i) a statement from the dean of the medical school at which the applicant will be employed describing the applicant's qualifications and (ii) a statement from the dean of the medical school listing every affiliated institution in which the applicant will be providing instruction as part of the medical school's education program and justifying any clinical activities at each of the institutions listed by the dean.

(2) Application for visiting professor permits shall be made to the Department, in writing, on forms prescribed by the Department and shall be accompanied by the required fee established by rule, which shall not be refundable. Any application shall require the information as, in the judgment of the Department, will enable the Department to pass on the qualifications of the applicant.

(3) A visiting professor permit shall be valid for no longer than 2 years from the date of issuance or until the time the faculty appointment is terminated, whichever occurs first, and may be renewed only in accordance with subdivision (A)(6) of this Section.

(4) The applicant may be required to appear before the Medical Licensing Board for an interview prior to, and as a requirement for, the issuance of the original permit and the renewal.

(5) Persons holding a permit under this Section shall only practice medicine in all of its branches or practice the treatment of human ailments without the use of drugs and without operative surgery in the State of Illinois in their official capacity under their contract within the medical school itself and any affiliated institution in which the permit holder is providing instruction as part of the medical school's educational program and for which the medical school has assumed direct responsibility.

(6) After the initial renewal of a visiting professor permit, a A visiting professor permit shall be valid until the last day of the next physician license renewal period, as set by rule, and may only be renewed for applicants who meet the following requirements:

(i) have obtained the required continuing education hours as set by rule; and

(ii) have paid the fee prescribed for a license under Section 21 of this Act.

For initial renewal, the visiting professor must successfully pass a general competency examination authorized by the Department by rule, unless he or she was issued an initial visiting professor permit on or after January 1, 2007, but prior to July 1, 2007.

(B) Visiting physician permit.

(1) The Department may, in its discretion, issue a temporary visiting physician permit, without examination, provided:

(a) (blank);

(b) that the person maintains an equivalent authorization to practice medicine in all of its branches or to practice the treatment of human ailments without the use of drugs and without operative surgery in good standing in his or her native licensing jurisdiction during the period of the temporary visiting physician permit;

(c) that the person has received an invitation or appointment to study, demonstrate, or perform a specific medical, osteopathic, chiropractic or clinical subject or technique in a medical, osteopathic, or chiropractic school, a state or national medical, osteopathic, or chiropractic professional association or society conference or meeting, a hospital licensed under the Hospital Licensing Act, a hospital organized under the University of Illinois Hospital Act, or a facility operated pursuant to the Ambulatory Surgical Treatment Center Act; and

(d) that the temporary visiting physician permit shall only permit the holder to practice medicine in all of its branches or practice the treatment of human ailments without the use of drugs and without operative surgery within the scope of the medical, osteopathic, chiropractic, or clinical studies, or in conjunction with the state or national medical, osteopathic, or chiropractic professional association or society conference or meeting, for which the holder was invited or appointed.

(2) The application for the temporary visiting physician permit shall be made to the Department, in writing, on forms prescribed by the Department, and shall be accompanied by the required fee established by rule, which shall not be refundable. The application shall require information that, in the judgment of the Department, will enable the Department to pass on the qualification of the applicant, and the necessity for the granting of a temporary visiting physician permit.

(3) A temporary visiting physician permit shall be valid for no longer than (i) 180 days from the date of issuance or (ii) until the time the medical, osteopathic, chiropractic, or clinical studies are completed, or the state or national medical, osteopathic, or chiropractic professional association or society conference or meeting has concluded, whichever occurs first.

(4) The applicant for a temporary visiting physician permit may be required to appear before the Medical Licensing Board for an interview prior to, and as a requirement for, the issuance of a temporary visiting physician permit.

(5) A limited temporary visiting physician permit shall be issued to a physician licensed in another state who has been requested to perform emergency procedures in Illinois if he or she meets the requirements as established by rule.

(C) Visiting resident permit.

(1) The Department may, in its discretion, issue a temporary visiting resident permit, without examination, provided:

(a) (blank);

(b) that the person maintains an equivalent authorization to practice medicine in all of its branches or to practice the treatment of human ailments without the use of drugs and without operative surgery in good standing in his or her native licensing jurisdiction during the period of the temporary visiting resident permit;

(c) that the applicant is enrolled in a postgraduate clinical training program outside the State of Illinois that is approved by the Department;

(d) that the individual has been invited or appointed for a specific period of time to perform a portion of that post graduate clinical training program under the supervision of an Illinois licensed physician in an Illinois patient care clinic or facility that is affiliated with the out-of-State post graduate training program; and

(e) that the temporary visiting resident permit shall only permit the holder to practice medicine in all of its branches or practice the treatment of human ailments without the use of drugs and without operative surgery within the scope of the medical, osteopathic, chiropractic or clinical studies for which the holder was invited or appointed.

(2) The application for the temporary visiting resident permit shall be made to the Department, in writing, on forms prescribed by the Department, and shall be accompanied by the required fee established by rule. The application shall require information that, in the judgment of the Department, will enable the Department to pass on the qualifications of the applicant.

(3) A temporary visiting resident permit shall be valid for 180 days from the date of issuance or until the time the medical, osteopathic, chiropractic, or clinical studies are completed, whichever occurs first.

(4) The applicant for a temporary visiting resident permit may be required to appear before the Medical Licensing Board for an interview prior to, and as a requirement for, the issuance of a temporary visiting resident permit.

(Source: P.A. 95-915, eff. 8-26-08; 96-398, eff. 8-13-09.)

(225 ILCS 60/19) (from Ch. 111, par. 4400-19)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on November 30, 2011)

Sec. 19. Licensure by endorsement without examination. The Department may, in its discretion, issue a license by endorsement without examination to any person who is currently licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches, or to practice the treatment of human ailments without the use of drugs or operative surgery, in any other state, territory, country or province, upon the following conditions:

(A) (Blank);

(B) That the applicant 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;

(C) That the applicant 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 an applicant to submit to a mental or physical examination, or both, and 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. The Medical Licensing Board or the Department may order the examining physician to present testimony concerning this mental or physical examination of the applicant. No information shall be excluded by reason of any common law or statutory privilege relating to communications between the applicant and the examining physician. Any condition of 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.

(D) That if the applicant seeks to practice medicine in all of its branches:

(1) if the applicant was licensed in another jurisdiction prior to January 1, 1988, that the applicant has satisfied the educational requirements of paragraph (1) of subsection (A) or paragraph (2) of subsection (A) of Section 11 of this Act; or

(2) if the applicant was licensed in another jurisdiction after December 31, 1987, that the applicant has satisfied the educational requirements of paragraph (A)(2) of Section 11 of this Act; and

(3) the requirements for a license to practice medicine in all of its branches in the particular state, territory, country or province in which the applicant is licensed are deemed by the Department to have been substantially equivalent to the requirements for a license to practice medicine in all of its branches in force in this State at the date of the applicant's license;

(E) That if the applicant seeks to treat human ailments without the use of drugs and without operative surgery:

(1) the applicant is a graduate of a chiropractic school or college approved by the Department at the time of their graduation;

(2) the requirements for the applicant's license to practice the treatment of human ailments without the use of drugs are deemed by the Department to have been substantially equivalent to the requirements for a license to practice in this State at the date of the applicant's license;

(F) That the Department may, in its discretion, issue a license by endorsement , without examination, to any graduate of a medical or osteopathic college, reputable and in good standing in the judgment of the Department, who has passed an examination for admission to the United States Public Health Service, or who has passed any other examination deemed by the Department to have been at least equal in all substantial respects to the examination required for admission to any such medical corps;

(G) That applications for licenses by endorsement without examination shall be filed with the Department, under oath, on forms prepared and furnished by the Department, and shall set forth, and applicants therefor shall supply such information respecting the life, education, professional practice, and moral character of applicants as the Department may require to be filed for its use;

(H) That the applicant undergo the criminal background check established under Section 9.7 of this Act.

In the exercise of its discretion under this Section, the Department is empowered to consider and evaluate each applicant on an individual basis. It may take into account, among other things, the extent to which there is or is not available to the Department, authentic and definitive information concerning the quality of medical education and clinical training which the applicant has had. Under no circumstances shall a license be issued under the provisions of this Section to any person who has previously taken and failed the written examination conducted by the Department for such license. In the exercise of its discretion under this Section, the Department may, upon the recommendation of the Medical Licensing Board, require an applicant to successfully complete an examination as recommended by the Medical Licensing Board. In determining moral character, 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, evidence from 2 or 3 individuals licensed under this Act. Applicants have 3 years from the date of application to complete the application process. If the process has not been completed within 3 years, the application shall be denied, the fees shall be forfeited, and the applicant must reapply and meet the requirements in effect at the time of reapplication.

(Source: P.A. 89-702, eff. 7-1-97; 90-722, eff. 1-1-99.)

(225 ILCS 60/22) (from Ch. 111, par. 4400-22)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on November 30, 2011)

(Text of Section WITH the changes made by P.A. 94-677, which has been held unconstitutional)

Sec. 22. Disciplinary action.

(A) The Department may revoke, suspend, place on probationary status, refuse to renew, or take any other disciplinary action as the Department may deem proper with regard to the license or visiting professor permit of any person issued under this Act to practice medicine, or to treat human ailments without the use of drugs and without operative surgery upon any of the following grounds:

(1) Performance of an elective abortion in any place, locale, facility, or institution other than:

(a) a facility licensed pursuant to the Ambulatory Surgical Treatment Center Act;

(b) an institution licensed under the Hospital Licensing Act;

(c) an ambulatory surgical treatment center or hospitalization or care facility maintained by the State or any agency thereof, where such department or agency has authority under law to establish and enforce standards for the ambulatory surgical treatment centers, hospitalization, or care facilities under its management and control;

(d) ambulatory surgical treatment centers, hospitalization or care facilities maintained by the Federal Government; or

(e) ambulatory surgical treatment centers, hospitalization or care facilities maintained by any university or college established under the laws of this State and supported principally by public funds raised by taxation.

(2) Performance of an abortion procedure in a wilful and wanton manner on a woman who was not pregnant at the time the abortion procedure was performed.

(3) The conviction of a felony in this or any other jurisdiction, except as otherwise provided in subsection B of this Section, whether or not related to practice under this Act, or the entry of a guilty or nolo contendere plea to a felony charge.

(4) Gross negligence in practice under this Act.

(5) Engaging in dishonorable, unethical or unprofessional conduct of a character likely to deceive, defraud or harm the public.

(6) Obtaining any fee by fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation.

(7) Habitual or excessive use or abuse of drugs defined in law as controlled substances, of alcohol, or of any other substances which results in the inability to practice with reasonable judgment, skill or safety.

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

(9) Fraud or misrepresentation in applying for, or procuring, a license under this Act or in connection with applying for renewal of a license under this Act.

(10) Making a false or misleading statement regarding their skill or the efficacy or value of the medicine, treatment, or remedy prescribed by them at their direction in the treatment of any disease or other condition of the body or mind.

(11) Allowing another person or organization to use their license, procured under this Act, to practice.

(12) Disciplinary action of another state or jurisdiction against a license or other authorization to practice as a medical doctor, doctor of osteopathy, doctor of osteopathic medicine or doctor of chiropractic, a certified copy of the record of the action taken by the other state or jurisdiction being prima facie evidence thereof.

(13) Violation of any provision of this Act or of the Medical Practice Act prior to the repeal of that Act, or violation of the rules, or a final administrative action of the Secretary, after consideration of the recommendation of the Disciplinary Board.

(14) Violation of the prohibition against fee splitting in Section 22.2 of this Act.

(15) A finding by the Medical Disciplinary Board that the registrant after having his or her license placed on probationary status or subjected to conditions or restrictions violated the terms of the probation or failed to comply with such terms or conditions.

(16) Abandonment of a patient.

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

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

(19) Offering, undertaking or agreeing to cure or treat disease by a secret method, procedure, treatment or medicine, or the treating, operating or prescribing for any human condition by a method, means or procedure which the licensee refuses to divulge upon demand of the Department.

(20) Immoral conduct in the commission of any act including, but not limited to, commission of an act of sexual misconduct related to the licensee's practice.

(21) Wilfully making or filing false records or reports in his or her practice as a physician, including, but not limited to, false records to support claims against the medical assistance program of the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (formerly Department of Public Aid) under the Illinois Public Aid Code.

(22) Wilful omission to file or record, or wilfully impeding the filing or recording, or inducing another person to omit to file or record, medical reports as required by law, or wilfully failing to report an instance of suspected abuse or neglect as required by law.

(23) 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.

(24) Solicitation of professional patronage by any corporation, agents or persons, or profiting from those representing themselves to be agents of the licensee.

(25) Gross and wilful and continued overcharging for professional services, including filing false statements for collection of fees for which services are not rendered, including, but not limited to, filing such false statements for collection of monies for services not rendered from the medical assistance program of the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (formerly Department of Public Aid) under the Illinois Public Aid Code.

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

(27) Mental illness or disability which results in the inability to practice under this Act with reasonable judgment, skill or safety.

(28) Physical illness, including, but not limited to, deterioration through the aging process, or loss of motor skill which results in a physician's inability to practice under this Act with reasonable judgment, skill or safety.

(29) Cheating on or attempt to subvert the licensing examinations administered under this Act.

(30) Wilfully or negligently violating the confidentiality between physician and patient except as required by law.

(31) The use of any false, fraudulent, or deceptive statement in any document connected with practice under this Act.

(32) Aiding and abetting an individual not licensed under this Act in the practice of a profession licensed under this Act.

(33) Violating state or federal laws or regulations relating to controlled substances, legend drugs, or ephedra, as defined in the Ephedra Prohibition Act.

(34) Failure to report to the Department any adverse final action taken against them by another licensing jurisdiction (any other state or any territory of the United States or any foreign state or country), by any peer review body, by any health care institution, by any professional society or association related to practice under this Act, by any governmental agency, by any law enforcement agency, or by any court for acts or conduct similar to acts or conduct which would constitute grounds for action as defined in this Section.

(35) Failure to report to the Department surrender of a license or authorization to practice as a medical doctor, a doctor of osteopathy, a doctor of osteopathic medicine, or doctor of chiropractic in another state or jurisdiction, or surrender of membership on any medical staff or in any medical or professional association or society, while under disciplinary investigation by any of those authorities or bodies, for acts or conduct similar to acts or conduct which would constitute grounds for action as defined in this Section.

(36) Failure to report to the Department any adverse judgment, settlement, or award arising from a liability claim related to acts or conduct similar to acts or conduct which would constitute grounds for action as defined in this Section.

(37) Failure to provide copies of medical records as required by law.

(38) Failure to furnish the Department, its investigators or representatives, relevant information, legally requested by the Department after consultation with the Chief Medical Coordinator or the Deputy Medical Coordinator.

(39) Violating the Health Care Worker Self-Referral Act.

(40) Willful failure to provide notice when notice is required under the Parental Notice of Abortion Act of 1995.

(41) Failure to establish and maintain records of patient care and treatment as required by this law.

(42) Entering into an excessive number of written collaborative agreements with licensed advanced practice nurses resulting in an inability to adequately collaborate.

(43) Repeated failure to adequately collaborate with a licensed advanced practice nurse.

Except for actions involving the ground numbered (26), all proceedings to suspend, revoke, place on probationary status, or take any other disciplinary action as the Department may deem proper, with regard to a license on any of the foregoing grounds, must be commenced within 5 years next after receipt by the Department of a complaint alleging the commission of or notice of the conviction order for any of the acts described herein. Except for the grounds numbered (8), (9), (26), and (29), no action shall be commenced more than 10 years after the date of the incident or act alleged to have violated this Section. For actions involving the ground numbered (26), a pattern of practice or other behavior includes all incidents alleged to be part of the pattern of practice or other behavior that occurred or a report pursuant to Section 23 of this Act received within the 10-year period preceding the filing of the complaint. In the event of the settlement of any claim or cause of action in favor of the claimant or the reduction to final judgment of any civil action in favor of the plaintiff, such claim, cause of action or civil action being grounded on the allegation that a person licensed under this Act was negligent in providing care, the Department shall have an additional period of 2 years from the date of notification to the Department under Section 23 of this Act of such settlement or final judgment in which to investigate and commence formal disciplinary proceedings under Section 36 of this Act, except as otherwise provided by law. The time during which the holder of the license was outside the State of Illinois shall not be included within any period of time limiting the commencement of disciplinary action by the Department.

The entry of an order or judgment by any circuit court establishing that any person holding a license under this Act is a person in need of mental treatment operates as a suspension of that license. That person may resume their practice only upon the entry of a Departmental order based upon a finding by the Medical Disciplinary Board that they have been determined to be recovered from mental illness by the court and upon the Disciplinary Board's recommendation that they be permitted to resume their practice.

The Department may refuse to issue or take disciplinary action concerning 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 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 as determined by the Illinois Department of Revenue.

The Department, upon the recommendation of the Disciplinary Board, shall adopt rules which set forth standards to be used in determining:

(a) when a person will be deemed sufficiently rehabilitated to warrant the public trust;

(b) what constitutes dishonorable, unethical or unprofessional conduct of a character likely to deceive, defraud, or harm the public;

(c) what constitutes immoral conduct in the commission of any act, including, but not limited to, commission of an act of sexual misconduct related to the licensee's practice; and

(d) what constitutes gross negligence in the practice of medicine.

However, no such rule shall be admissible into evidence in any civil action except for review of a licensing or other disciplinary action under this Act.

In enforcing this Section, the Medical Disciplinary Board or the Licensing Board, upon a showing of a possible violation, may compel, in the case of the Disciplinary Board, any individual who is licensed to practice under this Act or holds a permit to practice under this Act, or may compel, in the case of the Licensing Board, any individual who has applied for licensure or a permit pursuant to this Act, to submit to a mental examination and evaluation or physical examination, or both, which may include a substance abuse or sexual offender evaluation, as required by the Licensing Board or Disciplinary Board and at the expense of the Department.

The Disciplinary Board or Licensing Board shall specifically designate the examining physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches or, if applicable, the members of a multidisciplinary team involved in providing the physical examination or mental examination and evaluation. The multidisciplinary team shall be led by a physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches and may consist of one or a combination of physicians licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches, licensed clinical psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, licensed clinical professional counselors, and other professional and administrative staff. Any examining physician or member of the multidisciplinary team may require any person ordered to submit to an examination or evaluation pursuant to this Section to submit to any additional supplemental testing deemed necessary to complete any examination or evaluation process including, but not limited to, blood testing, urinalysis, psychological testing, or neuropsychological testing. The examining physician or physicians shall be those specifically designated by the Disciplinary Board.

The Medical Disciplinary Board, the Licensing Board, or the Department may order the examining physician or any member of the multidisciplinary team to provide to the Department any and all records, including business records, that relate to the examination or evaluation, including any supplemental testing performed. The Disciplinary Board, Licensing Board, or Department may order the examining physician or any member of the multidisciplinary team to present testimony concerning this mental or physical examination or evaluation of the licensee, permit holder, or applicant, including testimony concerning any supplemental testing or documents relating to the examination or evaluation. No information, report, record, or other documents in any way related to the examination or supplemental testing shall be excluded by reason of any common law or statutory privilege relating to communication between the licensee or applicant and the examining physician or any member of the multidisciplinary team. 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 the examination.

Failure of any individual to submit to mental or physical examination, when directed, shall be grounds for suspension of his or her license until such time as the individual submits to the examination if the Disciplinary Board finds, after notice and hearing, that the refusal to submit to the examination was without reasonable cause. If the Disciplinary Board finds a physician unable to practice because of the reasons set forth in this Section, the Disciplinary Board shall require such physician to submit to care, counseling, or treatment by physicians approved or designated by the Disciplinary Board, as a condition for continued, reinstated, or renewed licensure to practice. Any physician, whose license was granted pursuant to Sections 9, 17, or 19 of this Act, or, continued, reinstated, renewed, disciplined or supervised, subject to such terms, conditions or restrictions who shall fail to comply with such terms, conditions or restrictions, or to complete a required program of care, counseling, or treatment, as determined by the Chief Medical Coordinator or Deputy Medical Coordinators, shall be referred to the Secretary for a determination as to whether the licensee shall have their license suspended immediately, pending a hearing by the Disciplinary Board. In instances in which the Secretary immediately suspends a license under this Section, a hearing upon such person's license must be convened by the Disciplinary Board within 15 days after such suspension and completed without appreciable delay. The Disciplinary Board shall have the authority to review the subject 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.

An individual licensed under this Act, affected under this Section, shall be afforded an opportunity to demonstrate to the Disciplinary Board that they can resume practice in compliance with acceptable and prevailing standards under the provisions of their license.

The Department may promulgate rules for the imposition of fines in disciplinary cases, not to exceed $10,000 for each violation of this Act. Fines may be imposed in conjunction with other forms of disciplinary action, but shall not be the exclusive disposition of any disciplinary action arising out of conduct resulting in death or injury to a patient. Any funds collected from such fines shall be deposited in the Medical Disciplinary Fund.

(B) The Department shall revoke the license or visiting permit of any person issued under this Act to practice medicine or to treat human ailments without the use of drugs and without operative surgery, who has been convicted a second time of committing any felony under the Illinois Controlled Substances Act or the Methamphetamine Control and Community Protection Act, or who has been convicted a second time of committing a Class 1 felony under Sections 8A-3 and 8A-6 of the Illinois Public Aid Code. A person whose license or visiting permit is revoked under this subsection B of Section 22 of this Act shall be prohibited from practicing medicine or treating human ailments without the use of drugs and without operative surgery.

(C) The Medical Disciplinary Board shall recommend to the Department civil penalties and any other appropriate discipline in disciplinary cases when the Board finds that a physician willfully performed an abortion with actual knowledge that the person upon whom the abortion has been performed is a minor or an incompetent person without notice as required under the Parental Notice of Abortion Act of 1995. Upon the Board's recommendation, the Department shall impose, for the first violation, a civil penalty of $1,000 and for a second or subsequent violation, a civil penalty of $5,000.

(Source: P.A. 94-566, eff. 9-11-05; 94-677, eff. 8-25-05; 95-331, eff. 8-21-07; 96-608, eff. 8-24-09; 96-1000, eff. 7-2-10.)

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

(Section scheduled to be repealed on November 30, 2011)

(Text of Section WITH the changes made by P.A. 94-677, which has been held unconstitutional, and by P.A. 96-1372, which amended language added by P.A. 94-677)

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, made 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, within 5 days, any instance all instances in which a person licensed under this Act is convicted or otherwise found guilty of the commission of any felony or a class A misdemeanor for an act or conduct similar to an act or conduct that would constitute grounds for disciplinary action under Section 22 of this Act. 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 and date of birth of any patient or patients whose treatment is a subject of the report, if available, or other means of identification if such information is not available, identification of the hospital or other healthcare facility where the care at issue in the report was rendered, provided, however, no medical records may be revealed.

(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 Disciplinary Board or Department may also 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. 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 to , 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, except that the Department may disclose information and documents to a federal, State, or local law enforcement agency pursuant to a subpoena in an ongoing criminal investigation or to a health care licensing body of this State or another state or jurisdiction pursuant to an official request made by that licensing body. Furthermore, information and documents disclosed to a federal, State, or local law enforcement agency may be used by that agency only for the investigation and prosecution of a criminal offense, or, in the case of disclosure to a health care licensing body, only for investigations and disciplinary action proceedings with regard to a license. Information and documents disclosed to the Department of Public Health may be used by that Department only for investigation and disciplinary action regarding the license of a health care institution licensed by the Department of Public Health.

(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 a peer review committee, or assisting in the investigation or preparation of such information, or by voluntarily reporting to the Disciplinary Board or a peer review committee information regarding alleged errors or negligence by a person licensed under this Act, or by participating in proceedings of the Disciplinary Board or a peer review committee, or by serving as a member of the Disciplinary Board or a peer review committee, 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 person who is the subject of the report shall also submit with the written statement any medical records related to the report. The statement and accompanying medical records shall become a permanent part of the file and must be received by the Disciplinary Board no more than 30 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 Secretary. The Secretary shall then have 30 days to accept the Medical Disciplinary Board's decision or request further investigation. The Secretary 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 Secretary 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 once every other month, a summary report of final actions taken upon disciplinary files maintained by the Disciplinary Board. The summary reports shall 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 Department's Internet website.

(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. 94-677, eff. 8-25-05; 95-639, eff. 10-5-07; 96-1372, eff. 7-29-10.)

(225 ILCS 60/24) (from Ch. 111, par. 4400-24)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on November 30, 2011)

(Text of Section WITH the changes made by P.A. 94-677, which has been held unconstitutional)

Sec. 24. Report of violations; medical associations. Any physician licensed under this Act, the Illinois State Medical Society, the Illinois Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons, the Illinois Chiropractic Society, the Illinois Prairie State Chiropractic Association, or any component societies of any of these 4 groups, and any other person, may report to the Disciplinary Board any information the physician, association, society, or person may have that appears to show that a physician is or may be in violation of any of the provisions of Section 22 of this Act.

The Department may enter into agreements with the Illinois State Medical Society, the Illinois Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons, the Illinois Prairie State Chiropractic Association, or the Illinois Chiropractic Society to allow these organizations to assist the Disciplinary Board in the review of alleged violations of this Act. Subject to the approval of the Department, any organization party to such an agreement may subcontract with other individuals or organizations to assist in review.

Any physician, association, society, or person participating in good faith in the making of a report under this Act or participating in or assisting with an investigation or review under this Act shall have immunity from any civil, criminal, or other liability that might result by reason of those actions.

The medical information in the custody of an entity under contract with the Department participating in an investigation or review shall be privileged and confidential to the same extent as are information and reports under the provisions of Part 21 of Article VIII of the Code of Civil Procedure.

Upon request by the Department after a mandatory report has been filed with the Department, an attorney for any party seeking to recover damages for injuries or death by reason of medical, hospital, or other healing art malpractice shall provide patient records related to the physician involved in the disciplinary proceeding to the Department within 30 days of the Department's request for use by the Department in any disciplinary matter under this Act. An attorney who provides patient records to the Department in accordance with this requirement shall not be deemed to have violated any attorney-client privilege. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, consent by a patient shall not be required for the provision of patient records in accordance with this requirement.

For the purpose of any civil or criminal proceedings, the good faith of any physician, association, society or person shall be presumed. The Disciplinary Board may request the Illinois State Medical Society, the Illinois Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons, the Illinois Prairie State Chiropractic Association, or the Illinois Chiropractic Society to assist the Disciplinary Board in preparing for or conducting any medical competency examination as the Board may deem appropriate.

(Source: P.A. 94-677, eff. 8-25-05.)

(225 ILCS 60/24.1)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on November 30, 2011)

(This Section was added by P.A. 94-677, which has been held unconstitutional)

Sec. 24.1. Physician profile.

(a) This Section may be cited as the Patients' Right to Know Law.

(b) The Department shall make available to the public a profile of each physician. The Department shall make this information available through an Internet web site and, if requested, in writing. The physician profile shall contain the following information:

(1) the full name of the physician;

(2) a description of any criminal convictions for felonies and Class A misdemeanors, as determined by the Department, within the most recent 5 years. For the purposes of this Section, a person shall be deemed to be convicted of a crime if he or she pleaded guilty or if he was found or adjudged guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction;

(3) a description of any final Department disciplinary actions within the most recent 5 years;

(4) a description of any final disciplinary actions by licensing boards in other states within the most recent 5 years;

(5) a description of revocation or involuntary restriction of hospital privileges for reasons related to competence or character that have been taken by the hospital's governing body or any other official of the hospital after procedural due process has been afforded, or the resignation from or nonrenewal of medical staff membership or the restriction of privileges at a hospital taken in lieu of or in settlement of a pending disciplinary case related to competence or character in that hospital. Only cases which have occurred within the most recent 5 years shall be disclosed by the Department to the public;

(6) all medical malpractice court judgments and all medical malpractice arbitration awards in which a payment was awarded to a complaining party during the most recent 5 years and all settlements of medical malpractice claims in which a payment was made to a complaining party within the most recent 5 years. A medical malpractice judgment or award that has been appealed shall be identified prominently as "Under Appeal" on the profile within 20 days of formal written notice to the Department. Information concerning all settlements shall be accompanied by the following statement: "Settlement of a claim may occur for a variety of reasons which do not necessarily reflect negatively on the professional competence or conduct of the physician. A payment in settlement of a medical malpractice action or claim should not be construed as creating a presumption that medical malpractice has occurred." Nothing in this subdivision (6) shall be construed to limit or prevent the Disciplinary Board from providing further explanatory information regarding the significance of categories in which settlements are reported. Pending malpractice claims shall not be disclosed by the Department to the public. Nothing in this subdivision (6) shall be construed to prevent the Disciplinary Board from investigating and the Department from disciplining a physician on the basis of medical malpractice claims that are pending;

(7) names of medical schools attended, dates of attendance, and date of graduation;

(8) graduate medical education;

(9) specialty board certification. The toll-free number of the American Board of Medical Specialties shall be included to verify current board certification status;

(10) number of years in practice and locations;

(11) names of the hospitals where the physician has privileges;

(12) appointments to medical school faculties and indication as to whether a physician has a responsibility for graduate medical education within the most recent 5 years;

(13) information regarding publications in peer-reviewed medical literature within the most recent 5 years;

(14) information regarding professional or community service activities and awards;

(15) the location of the physician's primary practice setting;

(16) identification of any translating services that may be available at the physician's primary practice location;

(17) an indication of whether the physician participates in the Medicaid program.

(c) The Disciplinary Board shall provide individual physicians with a copy of their profiles prior to release to the public. A physician shall be provided 60 days to correct factual inaccuracies that appear in such profile.

(d) A physician may elect to have his or her profile omit certain information provided pursuant to subdivisions (12) through (14) of subsection (b) concerning academic appointments and teaching responsibilities, publication in peer-reviewed journals and professional and community service awards. In collecting information for such profiles and in disseminating the same, the Disciplinary Board shall inform physicians that they may choose not to provide such information required pursuant to subdivisions (12) through (14) of subsection (b).

(e) The Department shall promulgate such rules as it deems necessary to accomplish the requirements of this Section.

(Source: P.A. 94-677, eff. 8-25-05.)

(225 ILCS 60/26) (from Ch. 111, par. 4400-26)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on November 30, 2011)

Sec. 26. Advertising.

(1) Any person licensed under this Act may advertise the availability of professional services in the public media or on the premises where such professional services are rendered. Such advertising shall be limited to the following information:

(a) Publication of the person's name, title, office hours, address and telephone number;

(b) Information pertaining to the person's areas of specialization, including appropriate board certification or limitation of professional practice;

(c) Information on usual and customary fees for routine professional services offered, which information shall include, notification that fees may be adjusted due to complications or unforeseen circumstances;

(d) Announcement of the opening of, change of, absence from, or return to business;

(e) Announcement of additions to or deletions from professional licensed staff;

(f) The issuance of business or appointment cards.

(2) It is unlawful for any person licensed under this Act to use testimonials or claims of superior quality of care to entice the public. It shall be unlawful to advertise fee comparisons of available services with those of other persons licensed under this Act.

(3) This Act does not authorize the advertising of professional services which the offeror of such services is not licensed to render. Nor shall the advertiser use statements which contain false, fraudulent, deceptive or misleading material or guarantees of success, statements which play upon the vanity or fears of the public, or statements which promote or produce unfair competition.

(4) A licensee shall include in every advertisement for services regulated under this Act his or her title as it appears on the license or the initials authorized under this Act.

(Source: P.A. 91-310, eff. 1-1-00.)

(225 ILCS 60/36) (from Ch. 111, par. 4400-36)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on November 30, 2011)

(Text of Section WITH the changes made by P.A. 94-677, which has been held unconstitutional, and by P.A. 96-1372, which amended language added by P.A. 94-677)

Sec. 36. Upon the motion of either the Department or the Disciplinary Board or upon the verified complaint in writing of any person setting forth facts which, if proven, would constitute grounds for suspension or revocation under Section 22 of this Act, the Department shall investigate the actions of any person, so accused, who holds or represents that they hold a license. Such person is hereinafter called the accused.

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 accused in writing of any charges made and the time and place for a hearing of the charges before the Disciplinary Board, direct them to file their written answer thereto to the Disciplinary Board under oath within 20 days after the service on them of such notice and inform them that if they fail to file such answer default will be taken against them and their license may be suspended, revoked, placed on probationary status, or have other disciplinary action, including limiting the scope, nature or extent of their practice, as the Department may deem proper taken with regard thereto.

Where a physician has been found, upon complaint and investigation of the Department, and after hearing, to have performed an abortion procedure in a wilful and wanton manner upon a woman who was not pregnant at the time such abortion procedure was performed, the Department shall automatically revoke the license of such physician to practice medicine in Illinois.

Such written notice and any notice in such proceedings thereafter may be served by delivery of the same, personally, to the accused person, or by mailing the same by registered or certified mail to the address last theretofore specified by the accused in their last notification to the Department.

All information gathered by the Department during its investigation including information subpoenaed under Section 23 or 38 of this Act and the investigative file shall be kept for the confidential use of the Secretary, Disciplinary Board, the Medical Coordinators, persons employed by contract to advise the Medical Coordinator or the Department, 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, except that the Department may disclose information and documents to a federal, State, or local law enforcement agency pursuant to a subpoena in an ongoing criminal investigation to a health care licensing body of this State or another state or jurisdiction pursuant to an official request made by that licensing body. Furthermore, information and documents disclosed to a federal, State, or local law enforcement agency may be used by that agency only for the investigation and prosecution of a criminal offense or, in the case of disclosure to a health care licensing body, only for investigations and disciplinary action proceedings with regard to a license issued by that licensing body.

(Source: P.A. 94-677, eff. 8-25-05; 96-1372, eff. 7-29-10.)

(225 ILCS 60/32 rep.)

Section 90. The Medical Practice Act of 1987 is amended by repealing Section 32.

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