Amended in Senate May 31, 2016

Amended in Senate May 10, 2016

Amended in Senate March 17, 2016

Senate Bill No. 1033

Introduced by Senator Hill

February 12, 2016

An act to amend Sections 125.3, 803.1, 2027, 2221, 2221.05, 2228, and 3663 of, and to add Sections 1006 and 4962 to, the Business and Professions Code, relating to healing arts.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

SB 1033, as amended, Hill. Medical professionals: probation.

(1) Existing law, the Medical Practice Act, establishes the Medical Board of California for the licensing, regulation, and discipline of physicians and surgeons. Existing law establishes the California Board of Podiatric Medicine within the Medical Board of California for the licensing, regulation, and discipline of podiatrists. Existing law, the Osteopathic Act, enacted by an initiative measure, establishes the Osteopathic Medical Board of California for the licensing and regulation of osteopathic physicians and surgeons and requires the Osteopathic Medical Board of California to enforce the Medical Practice Act with respect to its licensees. Existing law, the Naturopathic Doctors Act, establishes the Naturopathic Medicine Committee in the Osteopathic Medical Board of California for the licensing and regulation of naturopathic doctors. Existing law, the Chiropractic Act, enacted by an initiative measure, establishes the State Board of Chiropractic Examiners for the licensing and regulation of chiropractors. Existing law, the Acupuncture Licensure Act, establishes the Acupuncture Board for the licensing and regulation of acupuncturists. Existing law authorizes each of these regulatory entities to discipline its licensee by placing her or him on probation, as specified.

This bill, on and after January 1, 2018, would require these regulatory entities to require a licensee begin insert on probation pursuant to a probationary order made after January 1, 2017, end insert to disclose on a separate document her or his probationary status, certain information related to his or her probation, the address of his or her begin delete BreEze end delete begin insert BreEZe end insert profile Internet Web page or a specified Internet Web site, and the regulatory entity’s telephone number to a patient, the patient’s guardian, or the health care surrogate prior to the patient’s first visit following the probationary order while the licensee is on probation under specified circumstances, including an accusation alleging, a statement of issues indicating, or an administrative law judge’s legal conclusion finding the licensee committed gross negligence or the licensee having been on probation more than once, among others. The bill would require the licensee to obtain from the patient a signed receipt containing specified information following the disclosure. The bill would exempt a licensee, except for a licensed chiropractor, from that disclosure requirement if the patient is unable to comprehend the disclosure and sign an acknowledgment and a guardian or health care surrogate is unavailable. The bill would require in that instance that the doctor disclose his or her status as soon as either the patient can comprehend and sign the receipt or a guardian or health care surrogate is available to comprehend the disclosure and sign the receipt. The bill would also exempt a licensee from that disclosure requirement if the visit occurs in an emergency room and the licensee who will be treating the patient during the visit is not known to the patient until immediately prior to the start of the visit.

(2) Existing law requires the Medical Board of California, the Osteopathic Medical Board of California, and the California Board of Podiatric Medicine to disclose to an inquiring member of the public and to post on their Internet Web sites specified information concerning each licensee including revocations, suspensions, probations, or limitations on practice.

This bill would require the Medical Board of California, the Osteopathic Medical Board of California, the California Board of Podiatric Medicine, the State Board of Chiropractic Examiners, the Naturopathic Medicine Committee, and the Acupuncture Board by January 1, 2018, to develop a standardized format for listing specified information related to the probation and to provide that information to an inquiring member of the public, on any documents informing the public of probation orders, and on a specified profile Internet Web page of each licensee subject to probation, or an Internet Web site, as specified.

(3) Existing law, in any order issued in resolution of a disciplinary proceeding before any board within the Department of Consumer Affairs or before the Osteopathic Medical Board, upon request of the entity bringing the proceeding unless the entity is the Medical Board of California, authorizes the administrative law judge to direct a licentiate found to have committed a violation or violations of the licensing act to pay a sum not to exceed the reasonable costs of the investigation and enforcement of the case, as specified.

This bill would authorize the Medical Board of California to request and obtain from a physician and surgeon the investigation and prosecution costs for a disciplinary proceeding in which the physician and surgeon’s license is placed on probation.

Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: no.

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.  

Section 125.3 of the Business and Professions
Code is amended to read:

125.3.  

(a) Except as otherwise provided by law, in any order
issued in resolution of a disciplinary proceeding before any board
within the department or before the Osteopathic Medical Board,
upon request of the entity bringing the proceeding, the
administrative law judge may direct a licentiate found to have
committed a violation or violations of the licensing act to pay a
sum not to exceed the reasonable costs of the investigation and
enforcement of the case.

(b) In the case of a disciplined licentiate that is a corporation or
a partnership, the order may be made against the licensed corporate
entity or licensed partnership.

(c) A certified copy of the actual costs, or a good faith estimate
of costs where actual costs are not available, signed by the entity
bringing the proceeding or its designated representative shall be
prima facie evidence of reasonable costs of investigation and
prosecution of the case. The costs shall include the amount of
investigative and enforcement costs up to the date of the hearing,
including, but not limited to, charges imposed by the Attorney
General.

(d) The administrative law judge shall make a proposed finding
of the amount of reasonable costs of investigation and prosecution
of the case when requested pursuant to subdivision (a). The finding
of the administrative law judge with regard to costs shall not be
reviewable by the board to increase the cost award. The board may
reduce or eliminate the cost award, or remand to the administrative
law judge if the proposed decision fails to make a finding on costs
requested pursuant to subdivision (a).

(e) If an order for recovery of costs is made and timely payment
is not made as directed in the board’s decision, the board may
enforce the order for repayment in any appropriate court. This
right of enforcement shall be in addition to any other rights the
board may have as to any licentiate to pay costs.

(f) In any action for recovery of costs, proof of the board’s
decision shall be conclusive proof of the validity of the order of
payment and the terms for payment.

(g) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the board shall not
renew or reinstate the license of any licentiate who has failed to
pay all of the costs ordered under this section.

(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the board may, in its
discretion, conditionally renew or reinstate for a maximum of one
year the license of any licentiate who demonstrates financial
hardship and who enters into a formal agreement with the board
to reimburse the board within that one-year period for the unpaid
costs.

(h) All costs recovered under this section shall be considered a
reimbursement for costs incurred and shall be deposited in the
fund of the board recovering the costs to be available upon
appropriation by the Legislature.

(i) Nothing in this section shall preclude a board from including
the recovery of the costs of investigation and enforcement of a
case in any stipulated settlement.

(j) This section does not apply to any board if a specific statutory
provision in that board’s licensing act provides for recovery of
costs in an administrative disciplinary proceeding.

(k) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, the Medical
Board of California shall not request nor obtain from a physician
and surgeon investigation and prosecution costs for a disciplinary
proceeding against the licentiate, except for a disciplinary
proceeding in which the licentiate’s license is placed on probation.
The board shall ensure that this subdivision is revenue neutral with
regard to it and that any loss of revenue or increase in costs
resulting from this subdivision is offset by an increase in the
amount of the initial license fee and the biennial renewal fee, as
provided in subdivision (e) of Section 2435.

SEC. 2.  

Section 803.1 of the Business and Professions Code
is amended to read:

803.1.  

(a) Notwithstanding any other law, the Medical Board
of California, the Osteopathic Medical Board of California, the
California Board of Podiatric Medicine, and the Physician Assistant
Board shall disclose to an inquiring member of the public
information regarding any enforcement actions taken against a
licensee, including a former licensee, by the board or by another
state or jurisdiction, including all of the following:

(1) Temporary restraining orders issued.

(2) Interim suspension orders issued.

(3) Revocations, suspensions, probations, or limitations on
practice ordered by the board, including those made part of a
probationary order or stipulated agreement.

(4) Public letters of reprimand issued.

(5) Infractions, citations, or fines imposed.

(b) Notwithstanding any other law, in addition to the information
provided in subdivision (a), the Medical Board of California, the
Osteopathic Medical Board of California, the California Board of
Podiatric Medicine, and the Physician Assistant Board shall
disclose to an inquiring member of the public all of the following:

(1) Civil judgments in any amount, whether or not vacated by
a settlement after entry of the judgment, that were not reversed on
appeal and arbitration awards in any amount of a claim or action
for damages for death or personal injury caused by the physician
and surgeon’s negligence, error, or omission in practice, or by his
or her rendering of unauthorized professional services.

(2) (A) All settlements in the possession, custody, or control
of the board shall be disclosed for a licensee in the low-risk
category if there are three or more settlements for that licensee
within the last 10 years, except for settlements by a licensee
regardless of the amount paid where (i) the settlement is made as
a part of the settlement of a class claim, (ii) the licensee paid in
settlement of the class claim the same amount as the other licensees
in the same class or similarly situated licensees in the same class,
and (iii) the settlement was paid in the context of a case where the
complaint that alleged class liability on behalf of the licensee also
alleged a products liability class action cause of action. All
settlements in the possession, custody, or control of the board shall
be disclosed for a licensee in the high-risk category if there are
four or more settlements for that licensee within the last 10 years
except for settlements by a licensee regardless of the amount paid
where (i) the settlement is made as a part of the settlement of a
class claim, (ii) the licensee paid in settlement of the class claim
the same amount as the other licensees in the same class or
similarly situated licensees in the same class, and (iii) the
settlement was paid in the context of a case where the complaint
that alleged class liability on behalf of the licensee also alleged a
products liability class action cause of action. Classification of a
licensee in either a “high-risk category” or a “low-risk category”
depends upon the specialty or subspecialty practiced by the licensee
and the designation assigned to that specialty or subspecialty by
the Medical Board of California, as described in subdivision (f).
For the purposes of this paragraph, “settlement” means a settlement
of an action described in paragraph (1) entered into by the licensee
on or after January 1, 2003, in an amount of thirty thousand dollars
($30,000) or more.

(B) The board shall not disclose the actual dollar amount of a
settlement but shall put the number and amount of the settlement
in context by doing the following:

(i) Comparing the settlement amount to the experience of other
licensees within the same specialty or subspecialty, indicating if
it is below average, average, or above average for the most recent
10-year period.

(ii) Reporting the number of years the licensee has been in
practice.

(iii) Reporting the total number of licensees in that specialty or
subspecialty, the number of those who have entered into a
settlement agreement, and the percentage that number represents
of the total number of licensees in the specialty or subspecialty.

(3) Current American Board of Medical Specialties certification
or board equivalent as certified by the Medical Board of California,
the Osteopathic Medical Board of California, or the California
Board of Podiatric Medicine.

(4) Approved postgraduate training.

(5) Status of the license of a licensee. By January 1, 2004, the
Medical Board of California, the Osteopathic Medical Board of
California, and the California Board of Podiatric Medicine shall
adopt regulations defining the status of a licensee. The board shall
employ this definition when disclosing the status of a licensee
pursuant to Section 2027. By January 1, 2018, the Medical Board
of California, the Osteopathic Medical Board of California, and
the California Board of Podiatric Medicine shall include the
information described in subdivision (f) of Section 2228.

(6) Any summaries of hospital disciplinary actions that result
in the termination or revocation of a licensee’s staff privileges for
medical disciplinary cause or reason, unless a court finds, in a final
judgment, that the peer review resulting in the disciplinary action
was conducted in bad faith and the licensee notifies the board of
that finding. In addition, any exculpatory or explanatory statements
submitted by the licentiate electronically pursuant to subdivision
(f) of that section shall be disclosed. For purposes of this paragraph,
“peer review” has the same meaning as defined in Section 805.

(c) Notwithstanding any other law, the Medical Board of
California, the Osteopathic Medical Board of California, the
California Board of Podiatric Medicine, and the Physician Assistant
Board shall disclose to an inquiring member of the public
information received regarding felony convictions of a physician
and surgeon or doctor of podiatric medicine.

(d) The Medical Board of California, the Osteopathic Medical
Board of California, the California Board of Podiatric Medicine,
and the Physician Assistant Board may formulate appropriate
disclaimers or explanatory statements to be included with any
information released, and may by regulation establish categories
of information that need not be disclosed to an inquiring member
of the public because that information is unreliable or not
sufficiently related to the licensee’s professional practice. The
Medical Board of California, the Osteopathic Medical Board of
California, the California Board of Podiatric Medicine, and the
Physician Assistant Board shall include the following statement
when disclosing information concerning a settlement:

 

“Some studies have shown that there is no significant correlation
between malpractice history and a doctor’s competence. At the
same time, the State of California believes that consumers should
have access to malpractice information. In these profiles, the State
of California has given you information about both the malpractice
settlement history for the doctor’s specialty and the doctor’s history
of settlement payments only if in the last 10 years, the doctor, if
in a low-risk specialty, has three or more settlements or the doctor,
if in a high-risk specialty, has four or more settlements. The State
of California has excluded some class action lawsuits because
those cases are commonly related to systems issues such as product
liability, rather than questions of individual professional
competence and because they are brought on a class basis where
the economic incentive for settlement is great. The State of
California has placed payment amounts into three statistical
categories: below average, average, and above average compared
to others in the doctor’s specialty. To make the best health care
decisions, you should view this information in perspective. You
could miss an opportunity for high-quality care by selecting a
doctor based solely on malpractice history.

When considering malpractice data, please keep in mind:

Malpractice histories tend to vary by specialty. Some specialties
are more likely than others to be the subject of litigation. This
report compares doctors only to the members of their specialty,
not to all doctors, in order to make an individual doctor’s history
more meaningful.

This report reflects data only for settlements made on or after
January 1, 2003. Moreover, it includes information concerning
those settlements for a 10-year period only. Therefore, you should
know that a doctor may have made settlements in the 10 years
immediately preceding January 1, 2003, that are not included in
this report. After January 1, 2013, for doctors practicing less than
10 years, the data covers their total years of practice. You should
take into account the effective date of settlement disclosure as well
as how long the doctor has been in practice when considering
malpractice averages.

The incident causing the malpractice claim may have happened
years before a payment is finally made. Sometimes, it takes a long
time for a malpractice lawsuit to settle. Some doctors work
primarily with high-risk patients. These doctors may have
malpractice settlement histories that are higher than average
because they specialize in cases or patients who are at very high
risk for problems.

Settlement of a claim may occur for a variety of reasons that do
not necessarily reflect negatively on the professional competence
or conduct of the doctor. A payment in settlement of a medical
malpractice action or claim should not be construed as creating a
presumption that medical malpractice has occurred.

You may wish to discuss information in this report and the
general issue of malpractice with your begin insert end insert doctor.”

begin insert end insert

(e) The Medical Board of California, the Osteopathic Medical
Board of California, the California Board of Podiatric Medicine,
and the Physician Assistant Board shall, by regulation, develop
standard terminology that accurately describes the different types
of disciplinary filings and actions to take against a licensee as
described in paragraphs (1) to (5), inclusive, of subdivision (a). In
providing the public with information about a licensee via the
Internet pursuant to Section 2027, the Medical Board of California,
the Osteopathic Medical Board of California, the California Board
of Podiatric Medicine, and the Physician Assistant Board shall not
use the terms “enforcement,” “discipline,” or similar language
implying a sanction unless the physician and surgeon has been the
subject of one of the actions described in paragraphs (1) to (5),
inclusive, of subdivision (a).

(f) The Medical Board of California shall adopt regulations no
later than July 1, 2003, designating each specialty and subspecialty
practice area as either high risk or low risk. In promulgating these
regulations, the board shall consult with commercial underwriters
of medical malpractice insurance companies, health care systems
that self-insure physicians and surgeons, and representatives of
the California medical specialty societies. The board shall utilize
the carriers’ statewide data to establish the two risk categories and
the averages required by subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) of
subdivision (b). Prior to issuing regulations, the board shall
convene public meetings with the medical malpractice carriers,
self-insurers, and specialty representatives.

(g) The Medical Board of California, the Osteopathic Medical
Board of California, the California Board of Podiatric Medicine,
and the Physician Assistant Board shall provide each licensee,
including a former licensee under subdivision (a), with a copy of
the text of any proposed public disclosure authorized by this section
prior to release of the disclosure to the public. The licensee shall
have 10 working days from the date the board provides the copy
of the proposed public disclosure to propose corrections of factual
inaccuracies. Nothing in this section shall prevent the board from
disclosing information to the public prior to the expiration of the
10-day period.

(h) Pursuant to subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2) of subdivision
(b), the specialty or subspecialty information required by this
section shall group physicians by specialty board recognized
pursuant to paragraph (5) of subdivision (h) of Section 651 unless
a different grouping would be more valid and the board, in its
statement of reasons for its regulations, explains why the validity
of the grouping would be more valid.

(i) By January 1, 2018, the Medical Board of California, the
Osteopathic Medical Board of California, and the California Board
of Podiatric Medicine shall include the information listed in
subdivision (f) of Section 2228 on any board documents informing
the public of probation orders and probationary licenses, including,
but not limited to, newsletters.

SEC. 3.  

Section 1006 is added to the Business and Professions
Code, to read:

1006.  

(a) On and after January 1, 2018, except as provided by
subdivision (c), the State Board of Chiropractic Examiners shall
require a licensee to disclose on a separate document her or his
probationary status, all of the information described in subdivision
(d), the address of the board’s Internet Web site, and the board’s
telephone number to a patient, the patient’s guardian, or health
care surrogate prior to the patient’s first visit following the
probationary order while the licensee is on probation begin insert pursuant to
a probationary order made after January 1, 2017, end insert in any of the
following circumstances:

(1) The accusation alleges, the statement of issues indicates, or
the legal conclusions of an administrative law judge find that the
licensee is implicated in any of the following:

(A) Gross negligence.

(B) Repeated negligent acts involving a departure from the
standard of care with multiple patients.

(C) Drug or alcohol abuse that threatens to impair a licensee’s
ability to practice chiropractic safely, including practicing under
the influence of drugs or alcohol.

(D) Felony conviction arising from or occurring during patient
care or treatment.

(E) Mental illness or other cognitive impairment that impedes
a licensee’s ability to safely practice chiropractic.

(2) The board ordered any of the following in conjunction with
placing the licensee on probation:

(A) That a third-party chaperone be present when the licensee
examines patients as a result of sexual misconduct.

(B) That the licensee submit to drug testing as a result of drug
or alcohol abuse.

(C) That the licensee have a monitor.

(3) The licensee has not successfully completed a training
program or any associated examinations required by the board as
a condition of probation.

(4) The licensee has been on probation more than once.

(b) The licensee shall obtain from each patient a signed receipt
following the disclosure that includes a written explanation of how
the patient can find further information on the licensee’s probation
on the board’s Internet Web site.

(c) The licensee shall not be required to provide the disclosure
prior to the visit as required by subdivision (a) if the visit occurs
in an emergency room and the licensee who will be treating the
patient during the visit is not known to the patient until immediately
prior to the start of the visit.

(d) By January 1, 2018, the board shall develop a standardized
format for listing the following information pursuant to subdivision
(e):

(1) The listing of the causes for probation alleged in the
accusation, the statement of issues, or the legal conclusions of an
administrative law judge.

(2) The length of the probation and the end date.

(3) All practice restrictions placed on the licensee by the board.

(e) By January 1, 2018, the board shall provide the information
listed in subdivision (d) as follows:

(1) To an inquiring member of the public.

(2) On any board documents informing the public of probation
orders and probationary licenses, including, but not limited to,
newsletters.

(3) On the board’s Internet Web site.

SEC. 4.  

Section 2027 of the Business and Professions Code is
amended to read:

2027.  

(a) The board shall post on its Internet Web site the
following information on the current status of the license for all
current and former licensees:

(1) Whether or not the licensee is presently in good standing.

(2) Current American Board of Medical Specialties certification
or board equivalent as certified by the board.

(3) Any of the following enforcement actions or proceedings
to which the licensee is actively subjected:

(A) Temporary restraining orders.

(B) Interim suspension orders.

(C) (i) Revocations, suspensions, probations, or limitations on
practice ordered by the board or the board of another state or
jurisdiction, including those made part of a probationary order or
stipulated agreement.

(ii) By January 1, 2018, the board, the Osteopathic Medical
Board of California, and the California Board of Podiatric Medicine
shall include, in plain view on the BreEZe profile Internet Web
page of each licensee subject to probation or a probationary license,
the information described in subdivision (f) of Section 2228. For
purposes of this subparagraph, a BreEZe profile Internet Web page
is a profile Internet Web page on the BreEZe system pursuant to
Section 210.

(D) Current accusations filed by the Attorney General, including
those accusations that are on appeal. For purposes of this paragraph,
“current accusation” means an accusation that has not been
dismissed, withdrawn, or settled, and has not been finally decided
upon by an administrative law judge and the board unless an appeal
of that decision is pending.

(E) Citations issued that have not been resolved or appealed
within 30 days.

(b) The board shall post on its Internet Web site all of the
following historical information in its possession, custody, or
control regarding all current and former licensees:

(1) Approved postgraduate training.

(2) Any final revocations and suspensions, or other equivalent
actions, taken against the licensee by the board or the board of
another state or jurisdiction or the surrender of a license by the
licensee in relation to a disciplinary action or investigation,
including the operative accusation resulting in the license surrender
or discipline by the board.

(3) Probation or other equivalent action ordered by the board,
or the board of another state or jurisdiction, completed or
terminated, including the operative accusation resulting in the
discipline by the board.

(4) Any felony convictions. Upon receipt of a certified copy of
an expungement order granted pursuant to Section 1203.4 of the
Penal Code from a licensee, the board shall, within six months of
receipt of the expungement order, post notification of the
expungement order and the date thereof on its Internet Web site.

(5) Misdemeanor convictions resulting in a disciplinary action
or accusation that is not subsequently withdrawn or dismissed.
Upon receipt of a certified copy of an expungement order granted
pursuant to Section 1203.4 of the Penal Code from a licensee, the
board shall, within six months of receipt of the expungement order,
post notification of the expungement order and the date thereof on
its Internet Web site.

(6) Civil judgments issued in any amount, whether or not
vacated by a settlement after entry of the judgment, that were not
reversed on appeal, and arbitration awards issued in any amount,
for a claim or action for damages for death or personal injury
caused by the physician and surgeon’s negligence, error, or
omission in practice, or by his or her rendering of unauthorized
professional services.

(7) Except as provided in subparagraphs (A) and (B), a summary
of any final hospital disciplinary actions that resulted in the
termination or revocation of a licensee’s hospital staff privileges
for a medical disciplinary cause or reason. The posting shall
provide any additional explanatory or exculpatory information
submitted by the licensee pursuant to subdivision (f) of Section
805. The board shall also post on its Internet Web site a factsheet
that explains and provides information on the reporting
requirements under Section 805.

(A) If a licensee’s hospital staff privileges are restored and the
licensee notifies the board of the restoration, the information
pertaining to the termination or revocation of those privileges shall
remain posted on the Internet Web site for a period of 10 years
from the restoration date of the privileges, and at the end of that
period shall be removed.

(B) If a court finds, in a final judgment, that peer review
resulting in a hospital disciplinary action was conducted in bad
faith and the licensee notifies the board of that finding, the
information concerning that hospital disciplinary action posted on
the Internet Web site shall be immediately removed. For purposes
of this subparagraph, “peer review” has the same meaning as
defined in Section 805.

(8) Public letters of reprimand issued within the past 10 years
by the board or the board of another state or jurisdiction, including
the operative accusation, if any, resulting in discipline by the board.

(9) Citations issued within the last three years that have been
resolved by payment of the administrative fine or compliance with
the order of abatement.

(10) All settlements within the last five years in the possession,
custody, or control of the board shall be disclosed for a licensee
in the low-risk category if there are three or more settlements for
that licensee within the last five years, and for a licensee in the
high-risk category if there are four or more settlements for that
licensee within the last five years. Classification of a licensee in
either a “high-risk category” or a “low-risk” category depends
upon the specialty or subspecialty practiced by the licensee and
the designation assigned to that specialty or subspecialty by the
board pursuant to subdivision (f) of Section 803.1.

(A) For the purposes of this paragraph, “settlement” means a
settlement in an amount of thirty thousand dollars ($30,000) or
more of any claim or action for damages for death or personal
injury caused by the physician and surgeon’s negligence, error, or
omission in practice, or by his or her rendering of unauthorized
professional services.

(B) For the purposes of this paragraph, “settlement” does not
include a settlement by a licensee, regardless of the amount paid,
when (i) the settlement is made as a part of the settlement of a
class claim, (ii) the amount paid in settlement of the class claim
is the same amount paid by the other licensees in the same class
or similarly situated licensees in the same class, and (iii) the
settlement was paid in the context of a case for which the complaint
that alleged class liability on behalf of the licensee also alleged a
products liability class action cause of action.

(C) The board shall not disclose the actual dollar amount of a
settlement, but shall disclose settlement information in the same
manner and with the same disclosures required under subparagraph
(B) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of Section 803.1.

(11) Appropriate disclaimers and explanatory statements to
accompany the information described in paragraphs (1) to (10),
inclusive, including an explanation of what types of information
are not disclosed. These disclaimers and statements shall be
developed by the board and shall be adopted by regulation.

(c) The board shall provide links to other Internet Web sites
that provide information on board certifications that meet the
requirements of subdivision (h) of Section 651. The board may
also provide links to any other Internet Web sites that provide
information on the affiliations of licensed physicians and surgeons.
The board may provide links to other Internet Web sites on the
Internet that provide information on health care service plans,
health insurers, hospitals, or other facilities.

SEC. 5.  

Section 2221 of the Business and Professions Code is
amended to read:

2221.  

(a) The board may deny a physician’s and surgeon’s
certificate to an applicant guilty of unprofessional conduct or of
any cause that would subject a licensee to revocation or suspension
of his or her license.

(b) The board in its sole discretion, may issue a probationary
physician’s and surgeon’s certificate to an applicant subject to
terms and conditions, including, but not limited to, any of the
following conditions of probation:

(1) Practice limited to a supervised, structured environment
where the licensee’s activities shall be supervised by another
physician and surgeon.

(2) Total or partial restrictions on drug prescribing privileges
for controlled substances.

(3) Continuing medical or psychiatric treatment.

(4) Ongoing participation in a specified rehabilitation program.

(5) Enrollment and successful completion of a clinical training
program.

(6) Abstention from the use of alcohol or drugs.

(7) Restrictions against engaging in certain types of medical
practice.

(8) Compliance with all provisions of this chapter.

(9) Payment of the cost of probation monitoring.

(10) Disclosing probationary license status to patients, pursuant
to subdivision (b) of Section 2228.

(c) The board may modify or terminate the terms and conditions
imposed on the probationary certificate upon receipt of a petition
from the licensee; however, the provisions of subdivision (b) of
Section 2228 are mandatory with any probationary licensee. The
board may assign the petition to an administrative law judge
designated in Section 11371 of the Government Code. After a
hearing on the petition, the administrative law judge shall provide
a proposed decision to the board.

(d) The board shall deny a physician’s and surgeon’s certificate
to an applicant who is required to register pursuant to Section 290
of the Penal Code. This subdivision does not apply to an applicant
who is required to register as a sex offender pursuant to Section
290 of the Penal Code solely because of a misdemeanor conviction
under Section 314 of the Penal Code.

(e) An applicant shall not be eligible to reapply for a physician’s
and surgeon’s certificate for a minimum of three years from the
effective date of the denial of his or her application, except that
the board may, in its discretion and for good cause demonstrated,
permit reapplication after not less than one year has elapsed from
the effective date of the denial.

SEC. 6.  

Section 2221.05 of the Business and Professions Code
is amended to read:

2221.05.  

(a) Notwithstanding subdivisions (a) and (b) of
Section 2221, the board may issue a physician’s and surgeon’s
certificate to an applicant who has committed minor violations
that the board deems, in its discretion, do not merit the denial of
a certificate or require probationary status under Section 2221, and
may concurrently issue a public letter of reprimand.

(b) A public letter of reprimand issued concurrently with a
physician’s and surgeon’s certificate shall be purged three years
from the date of issuance.

(c) A public letter of reprimand issued pursuant to this section
shall be disclosed to an inquiring member of the public and shall
be posted on the board’s Internet Web site.

(d) Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect the
board’s authority to issue an unrestricted license.

SEC. 7.  

Section 2228 of the Business and Professions Code is
amended to read:

2228.  

(a) The authority of the board or the California Board
of Podiatric Medicine to discipline a licensee by placing him or
her on probation includes, but is not limited to, the following:

(1) Requiring the licensee to obtain additional professional
training and to pass an examination upon the completion of the
training. The examination may be written or oral, or both, and may
be a practical or clinical examination, or both, at the option of the
board or the administrative law judge.

(2) Requiring the licensee to submit to a complete diagnostic
examination by one or more physicians and surgeons appointed
by the board. If an examination is ordered, the board shall receive
and consider any other report of a complete diagnostic examination
given by one or more physicians and surgeons of the licensee’s
choice.

(3) Restricting or limiting the extent, scope, or type of practice
of the licensee, including requiring notice to applicable patients
that the licensee is unable to perform the indicated treatment, where
appropriate.

(4) Providing the option of alternative community service in
cases other than violations relating to quality of care.

(b) On and after January 1, 2018, except as provided by
subdivision (d), the board or the California Board of Podiatric
Medicine shall require a licensee to disclose on a separate
document her or his probationary status, all of the information
described in subdivision (f), the address of his or her BreEZe
profile Internet Web page, and the telephone number of the board,
if the probation was imposed by the board, or the California Board
of Podiatric Medicine, if the probation was imposed by the
California Board of Podiatric Medicine, to a patient, the patient’s
guardian, or health care surrogate prior to the patient’s first visit
following the probationary order while the licensee is on probation
begin insert pursuant to a probationary order made after January 1, 2017, end insert in
any of the following circumstances:

(1) The accusation alleges, the statement of issues indicates, or
the legal conclusions of an administrative law judge find that the
licensee is implicated in any of the following:

(A) Gross negligence.

(B) Repeated negligent acts involving a departure from the
standard of care with multiple patients.

(C) Repeated acts of inappropriate and excessive prescribing
of controlled substances, including, but not limited to, prescribing
controlled substances without appropriate prior examination or
without medical reason documented in medical records.

(D) Drug or alcohol abuse that threatens to impair a licensee’s
ability to practice medicine safely, including practicing under the
influence of drugs or alcohol.

(E) Felony conviction arising from or occurring during patient
care or treatment.

(F) Mental illness or other cognitive impairment that impedes
a licensee’s ability to safely practice medicine.

(2) The board ordered any of the following in conjunction with
placing the licensee on probation:

(A) That a third-party chaperone be present when the licensee
examines patients as a result of sexual misconduct.

(B) That the licensee submit to drug testing as a result of drug
or alcohol abuse.

(C) That the licensee have a monitor.

(D) Restricting the licensee totally or partially from prescribing
controlled substances.

(3) The licensee has not successfully completed a training
program or any associated examinations required by the board as
a condition of probation.

(4) The licensee has been on probation more than once.

(c) The licensee shall obtain from each patient a signed receipt
following the disclosure that includes a written explanation of how
the patient can find further information on the licensee’s probation
on the board’s Internet Web site.

(d) The licensee shall not be required to provide the disclosure
prior to the visit as required by subdivision (b) if either of the
following applies:

(1) The patient is unconscious or otherwise unable to
comprehend the disclosure and sign the receipt pursuant to
subdivision (c) and a guardian or health care surrogate is
unavailable to comprehend the disclosure and sign the receipt. In
that instance, the licensee shall disclose her or his status as soon
as either the patient can comprehend the disclosure and sign the
receipt or a guardian or health care surrogate is available to
comprehend the disclosure and sign the receipt.

(2) The visit occurs in an emergency room and the licensee who
will be treating the patient during the visit is not known to the
patient until immediately prior to the start of the visit.

(e) Section 2314 shall not apply to subdivision (b), (c), or (d).

(f) By January 1, 2018, the board shall develop a standardized
format for listing the following information pursuant to paragraph
(5) of subdivision (b) of Section 803.1, subdivision (i) of Section
803.1, and clause (ii) of subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1) of
subdivision (a) of Section 2027:

(1) The listing of the causes for probation alleged in the
accusation, the statement of issues, or the legal conclusions of an
administrative law judge.

(2) The length of the probation and the end date.

(3) All practice restrictions placed on the licensee by the board.

SEC. 8.  

Section 3663 of the Business and Professions Code is
amended to read:

3663.  

(a) The committee shall have the responsibility for
reviewing the quality of the practice of naturopathic medicine
carried out by persons licensed as naturopathic doctors pursuant
to this chapter.

(b) The committee may discipline a naturopathic doctor for
unprofessional conduct. After a hearing conducted in accordance
with the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 5 (commencing
with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the
Government Code), the committee may deny, suspend, revoke, or
place on probation the license of, or reprimand, censure, or
otherwise discipline a naturopathic doctor in accordance with
Division 1.5 (commencing with Section 475).

(c) On and after January 1, 2018, except as provided by
subdivision (e), the committee shall require a naturopathic doctor
to disclose on a separate document her or his probationary status,
all of the information described in subdivision (f), the address of
his or her BreEZe profile Internet Web page, and the committee’s
telephone number to a patient, the patient’s guardian, or health
care surrogate prior to the patient’s first visit following the
probationary order while the naturopathic doctor is on probation
begin insert pursuant to a probationary order made after January 1, 2017, end insert in
any of the following circumstances:

(1) The accusation alleges, the statement of issues indicates, or
the legal conclusions of an administrative law judge find that the
naturopathic doctor is implicated in any of the following:

(A) Gross negligence.

(B) Repeated negligent acts involving a departure from the
standard of care with multiple patients.

(C) Repeated acts of inappropriate and excessive prescribing
of controlled substances, including, but not limited to, prescribing
controlled substances without appropriate prior examination or
without medical reason documented in medical records.

(D) Drug or alcohol abuse that threatens to impair a naturopathic
doctor’s ability to practice medicine safely, including practicing
under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

(E) Felony conviction arising from or occurring during patient
care or treatment.

(F) Mental illness or other cognitive impairment that impedes
a naturopathic doctor’s ability to safely practice medicine.

(2) The committee ordered any of the following in conjunction
with placing the naturopathic doctor on probation:

(A) That a third-party chaperone be present when the
naturopathic doctor examines patients as a result of sexual
misconduct.

(B) That the naturopathic doctor submit to drug testing as a
result of drug or alcohol abuse.

(C) That the naturopathic doctor have a monitor.

(D) Restricting the naturopathic doctor totally or partially from
prescribing controlled substances.

(3) The naturopathic doctor has not successfully completed a
training program or any associated examinations required by the
committee as a condition of probation.

(4) The naturopathic doctor has been on probation more than
once.

(d) The naturopathic doctor shall obtain from each patient a
signed receipt following the disclosure that includes a written
explanation of how the patient can find further information on the
naturopathic doctor’s probation on the committee’s Internet Web
site.

(e) The naturopathic doctor shall not be required to provide the
disclosure prior to the visit as required by subdivision (c) if either
of the following applies:

(1) The patient is unconscious or otherwise unable to
comprehend the disclosure and sign the receipt pursuant to
subdivision (d) and a guardian or health care surrogate is
unavailable to comprehend the disclosure and sign the receipt. In
that instance, the naturopathic doctor shall disclose her or his status
as soon as either the patient can comprehend the disclosure and
sign the receipt or a guardian or health care surrogate is available
to comprehend the disclosure and sign the receipt.

(2) The visit occurs in an emergency room and the naturopathic
doctor who will be treating the patient during the visit is not known
to the patient until immediately prior to the start of the visit.

(f) By January 1, 2018, the committee shall develop a
standardized format for listing the following information pursuant
to subdivision (g):

(1) The listing of the causes for probation alleged in the
accusation, the statement of issues, or the legal conclusions of an
administrative law judge.

(2) The length of the probation and the end date.

(3) All practice restrictions placed on the naturopathic doctor
by the committee.

(g) By January 1, 2018, the committee shall provide the
information listed in subdivision (f) as follows:

(1) To an inquiring member of the public.

(2) On any committee documents informing the public of
probation orders and probationary licenses, including, but not
limited to, newsletters.

(3) In plain view on the BreEZe profile Internet Web page of a
naturopathic doctor subject to probation or a probationary license.

SEC. 9.  

Section 4962 is added to the Business and Professions
Code, to read:

4962.  

(a) On and after January 1, 2018, except as provided by
subdivision (c), the board shall require a licensee to disclose on a
separate document her or his probationary status, all of the
information described in subdivision (e), the address of his or her
BreEZe profile Internet Web page, and the board’s telephone
number to a patient, the patient’s guardian, or health care surrogate
prior to the patient’s first visit following the probationary order
while the licensee is on probation begin insert pursuant to a probationary order
made after January 1, 2017, end insert in any of the following circumstances:

(1) The accusation alleges, the statement of issues indicates, or
the legal conclusions of an administrative law judge find that the
licensee is implicated in any of the following:

(A) Gross negligence.

(B) Repeated negligent acts involving a departure from the
standard of care with multiple patients.

(C) Drug or alcohol abuse that threatens to impair a licensee’s
ability to practice acupuncture safely, including practicing under
the influence of drugs or alcohol.

(D) Felony conviction arising from or occurring during patient
care or treatment.

(E) Mental illness or other cognitive impairment that impedes
a licensee’s ability to safely practice acupuncture.

(2) The board ordered any of the following in conjunction with
placing the licensee on probation:

(A) That a third-party chaperone be present when the licensee
examines patients as a result of sexual misconduct.

(B) That the licensee submit to drug testing as a result of drug
or alcohol abuse.

(C) That the licensee have a monitor.

(3) The licensee has not successfully completed a training
program or any associated examinations required by the board as
a condition of probation.

(4) The licensee has been on probation more than once.

(b) The licensee shall obtain from each patient a signed receipt
following the disclosure that includes a written explanation of how
the patient can find further information on the licensee’s probation
on the board’s Internet Web site.

(c) The licensee shall not be required to provide the disclosure
prior to the visit as required by subdivision (a) if either of the
following applies:

(1) The patient is unconscious or otherwise unable to
comprehend the disclosure and sign the receipt pursuant to
subdivision (b) and a guardian or health care surrogate is
unavailable to comprehend the disclosure and sign the receipt. In
that instance, the licensee shall disclose her or his status as soon
as either the patient can comprehend the disclosure and sign the
receipt or a guardian or health care surrogate is available to
comprehend the disclosure and sign the receipt.

(2) The visit occurs in an emergency room and the licensee who
will be treating the patient during the visit is not known to the
patient until immediately prior to the start of the visit.

(d) Section 4935 shall not apply to subdivision (a), (b), or (c).

(e) By January 1, 2018, the board shall develop a standardized
format for listing the following information pursuant to subdivision
(f):

(1) The listing of the causes for probation alleged in the
accusation, the statement of issues, or the legal conclusions of an
administrative law judge.

(2) The length of the probation and the end date.

(3) All practice restrictions placed on the licensee by the board.

(f) By January 1, 2018, the board shall provide the information
listed in subdivision (e) as follows:

(1) To an inquiring member of the public.

(2) On any board documents informing the public of probation
orders and probationary licenses, including, but not limited to,
newsletters.

(3) Upon availability of a licensee’s BreEZe profile Internet
Web page on the BreEZe system pursuant to Section 210, in plain
view on the BreEZe profile Internet Web page of a licensee subject
to probation or a probationary license.