BILL NUMBER: AB 526	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Fuentes

                        FEBRUARY 25, 2009

   An act to add Article 14 (commencing with Section 2340) to Chapter
5 of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code, relating to
physicians and surgeons.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 526, as introduced, Fuentes. Public Protection and Physician
Health Program Act of 2009.
   Existing law establishes in the Department of Consumer Affairs the
Substance Abuse Coordination Committee, comprised of the executive
officers of the department's healing arts boards, as specified, and a
designee of the State Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs.
Existing law requires the committee to formulate, by January 1, 2010,
uniform and specific standards in specified areas that each healing
arts board shall use in dealing with substance-abusing licensees. The
Medical Practice Act establishes in the Department of Consumer
Affairs the Medical Board of California which provides for the
licensure and regulation of physicians and surgeons.
   This bill would enact the Public Protection and Physician Health
Program Act of 2009, and would make specified findings and
declarations in that regard.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  The Legislature hereby finds and declares that:
   (a) The protection of the public from harm by physicians and
surgeons who may be impaired by alcohol or substance abuse or
dependence or mental disorder is paramount.
   (b) It is essential for the public interest and the public health,
safety, and welfare to focus on early intervention, assessment,
monitoring, and treatment of physicians and surgeons with significant
health impairments that may impact their ability to practice.
   (c) It is necessary to create a program in California that will
permit physicians and surgeons to obtain treatment and monitoring of
alcohol or substance abuse or dependence or mental disorder recovery
so that they do not treat patients while impaired.
  SEC. 2.  Article 14 (commencing with Section 2340) is added to
Chapter 5 of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code, to
read:

      Article 14.  Public Protection and Physician Health Program


   2340.  This article shall be known and may be cited as the Public
Protection and Physician Health Program Act of 2009.