As Passed by the House

125th General Assembly
Regular Session
2003-2004
H. B. No. 126


REPRESENTATIVES Brinkman, Blasdel, Buehrer, Callender, Clancy, Collier, Daniels, DeWine, Distel, Driehaus, Faber, Fessler, Flowers, Gibbs, Gilb, Grendell, Hagan, Hughes, Husted, McGregor, Niehaus, T. Patton, Raga, Raussen, Reidelbach, Reinhard, Schneider, Seaver, Wagner, Schaffer, Seitz, Sferra, Taylor, Widowfield, Willamowski, Williams, White, Young, Kearns, Hoops, Jolivette, Aslanides, Calvert, Carmichael, Cates, DePiero, C. Evans, Martin, Schlichter, Schmidt, Setzer, Widener, Wolpert



A BILL
To amend sections 3719.06, 4731.22, and 4731.223 and 1
to enact section 2919.123 of the Revised Code 2
regarding the provision or use of RU-4863
(mifepristone) for an abortion.4


BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:

       Section 1. That sections 3719.06, 4731.22, and 4731.223 be 5
amended and section 2919.123 of the Revised Code be enacted to 6
read as follows:7

       Sec. 2919.123. (A) No person shall knowingly give, sell,8
dispense, administer, otherwise provide, or prescribe RU-4869
(mifepristone) to another for the purpose of inducing an abortion10
in any person or enabling the other person to induce an abortion11
in any person, unless the person who gives, sells, dispenses, 12
administers, or otherwise provides or prescribes the RU-486 13
(mifepristone) is a physician, the physician satisfies all the 14
criteria established by federal law that a physician must satisfy 15
in order to provide RU-486 (mifepristone) for inducing abortions, 16
and the physician provides the RU-486 (mifepristone) to the other 17
person for the purpose of inducing an abortion in accordance with 18
all provisions of federal law that govern the use of RU-486 19
(mifepristone) for inducing abortions. A person who gives, sells, 20
dispenses, administers, otherwise provides, or prescribes RU-486 21
(mifepristone) to another as described in division (A) of this 22
section shall not be prosecuted based on a violation of the 23
criteria contained in this division unless the person knows that 24
the person is not a physician, that the person did not satisfy all 25
the specified criteria established by federal law, or that the 26
person did not provide the RU-486 (mifepristone) in accordance 27
with the specified provisions of federal law, whichever is 28
applicable.29

       (B) No physician who provides RU-486 (mifepristone) to 30
another for the purpose of inducing an abortion as authorized 31
under division (A) of this section shall knowingly fail to comply 32
with the applicable requirements of any federal law that pertain 33
to follow-up examinations or care for persons to whom or for whom 34
RU-486 (mifepristone) is provided for the purpose of inducing an 35
abortion.36

        (C)(1) If a physician provides RU-486 (mifepristone) to 37
another for the purpose of inducing an abortion as authorized 38
under division (A) of this section and if the physician knows that 39
the person who uses the RU-486 (mifepristone) for the purpose of40
inducing an abortion experiences during or after the use an41
incomplete abortion, severe bleeding, or an adverse reaction to42
the RU-486 (mifepristone) or is hospitalized, receives a43
transfusion, or experiences any other serious event, the physician44
promptly must provide a written report of the incomplete abortion,45
severe bleeding, adverse reaction, hospitalization, transfusion,46
or serious event to the state medical board. The board shall47
compile and retain all reports it receives under this division.48
Except as otherwise provided in this division, all reports the49
board receives under this division are public records open to50
inspection under section 149.43 of the Revised Code. In no case51
shall the board release to any person the name or any other52
personal identifying information regarding a person who uses53
RU-486 (mifepristone) for the purpose of inducing an abortion and54
who is the subject of a report the board receives under this55
division.56

       (2) No physician who provides RU-486 (mifepristone) to 57
another for the purpose of inducing an abortion as authorized 58
under division (A) of this section shall knowingly fail to file a 59
report required under division (C)(1) of this section.60

       (D) Division (A) of this section does not apply to any of the 61
following:62

       (1) A pregnant woman who obtains or possesses RU-486 63
(mifepristone) for the purpose of inducing an abortion to 64
terminate her own pregnancy;65

       (2) The legal transport of RU-486 (mifepristone) by any 66
person or entity and the legal delivery of the RU-486 67
(mifepristone) by any person to the recipient, provided that this 68
division does not apply regarding any conduct related to the 69
RU-486 (mifepristone) other than its transport and delivery to the 70
recipient;71

       (3) The distribution, provision, or sale of RU-486 72
(mifepristone) by any legal manufacturer or distributor of RU-486 73
(mifepristone), provided the manufacturer or distributor made a 74
good faith effort to comply with any applicable requirements of 75
federal law regarding the distribution, provision, or sale.76

       (E) Whoever violates this section is guilty of unlawful77
distribution of an abortion-inducing drug, a felony of the fourth78
degree. If the offender previously has been convicted of or79
pleaded guilty to a violation of this section or of section80
2919.12, 2919.121, 2919.13, 2919.14, 2919.151, 2919.17, or 2919.1881
of the Revised Code, unlawful distribution of an abortion-inducing82
drug is a felony of the third degree.83

       If the offender is a professionally licensed person, in84
addition to any other sanction imposed by law for the offense, the85
offender is subject to sanctioning as provided by law by the86
regulatory or licensing board or agency that has the87
administrative authority to suspend or revoke the offender's88
professional license, including the sanctioning provided in89
section 4731.22 of the Revised Code for offenders who have a90
certificate to practice or certificate of registration issued91
under that chapter.92

        (F) As used in this section:93

        (1) "Federal law" means any law, rule, or regulation of the94
United States or any drug approval letter of the food and drug95
administration of the United States that governs or regulates the96
use of RU-486 (mifepristone) for the purpose of inducing97
abortions.98

       (2) "Personal identifying information" has the same meaning99
as in section 2913.49 of the Revised Code.100

       (3) "Physician" has the same meaning as in section 2305.11 of 101
the Revised Code.102

       (4) "Professionally licensed person" has the same meaning as103
in section 2925.01 of the Revised Code.104

       Sec. 3719.06.  (A)(1) A licensed health professional105
authorized to prescribe drugs, if acting in the course of106
professional practice, in accordance with the laws regulating the107
professional's practice, and in accordance with rules adopted by108
the state board of pharmacy, and subject to section 2919.123 of109
the Revised Code, may, except as provided in division (A)(2) of110
this section, do the following:111

       (a) Prescribe schedule II, III, IV, and V controlled112
substances;113

       (b) Administer or personally furnish to patients schedule II, 114
III, IV, and V controlled substances;115

       (c) Cause schedule II, III, IV, and V controlled substances116
to be administered under the prescriber's direction and117
supervision.118

       (2) A licensed health professional authorized to prescribe119
drugs who is a clinical nurse specialist, certified nurse-midwife,120
or certified nurse practitioner is subject to both of the121
following:122

       (a) A schedule II controlled substance may be prescribed only 123
for a patient with a terminal condition, as defined in section 124
2133.01 of the Revised Code, only if the nurse's collaborating 125
physician initially prescribed the substance for the patient, and 126
only in an amount that does not exceed the amount necessary for 127
the patient's use in a single, twenty-four-hour period.128

       (b) No controlled substance shall be personally furnished to129
any patient.130

       (B) No licensed health professional authorized to prescribe131
drugs shall prescribe, administer, or personally furnish a132
schedule III anabolic steroid for the purpose of human muscle133
building or enhancing human athletic performance and no pharmacist134
shall dispense a schedule III anabolic steroid for either purpose,135
unless it has been approved for that purpose under the "Federal136
Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act," 52 Stat. 1040 (1938), 21 U.S.C.A.137
301, as amended.138

       (C) Each written prescription shall be properly executed,139
dated, and signed by the prescriber on the day when issued and140
shall bear the full name and address of the person for whom, or141
the owner of the animal for which, the controlled substance is142
prescribed and the full name, address, and registry number under143
the federal drug abuse control laws of the prescriber. If the144
prescription is for an animal, it shall state the species of the145
animal for which the controlled substance is prescribed.146

       (D) A prescription for RU-486 (mifepristone) shall be in147
writing and in accordance with section 2919.123 of the Revised 148
Code.149

       Sec. 4731.22.  (A) The state medical board, by an affirmative 150
vote of not fewer than six of its members, may revoke or may151
refuse to grant a certificate to a person found by the board to152
have committed fraud during the administration of the examination 153
for a certificate to practice or to have committed fraud, 154
misrepresentation, or deception in applying for or securing any 155
certificate to practice or certificate of registration issued by 156
the board.157

       (B) The board, by an affirmative vote of not fewer than six158
members, shall, to the extent permitted by law, limit, revoke, or159
suspend an individual's certificate to practice, refuse to160
register an individual, refuse to reinstate a certificate, or161
reprimand or place on probation the holder of a certificate for162
one or more of the following reasons:163

       (1) Permitting one's name or one's certificate to practice or164
certificate of registration to be used by a person, group, or165
corporation when the individual concerned is not actually166
directing the treatment given;167

       (2) Failure to maintain minimal standards applicable to the168
selection or administration of drugs, or failure to employ169
acceptable scientific methods in the selection of drugs or other170
modalities for treatment of disease;171

       (3) Selling, giving away, personally furnishing, prescribing, 172
or administering drugs for other than legal and legitimate 173
therapeutic purposes or a plea of guilty to, a judicial finding of 174
guilt of, or a judicial finding of eligibility for intervention in175
lieu of conviction of, a violation of any federal or state law 176
regulating the possession, distribution, or use of any drug;177

       (4) Willfully betraying a professional confidence.178

       For purposes of this division, "willfully betraying a179
professional confidence" does not include providing any180
information, documents, or reports to a child fatality review181
board under sections 307.621 to 307.629 of the Revised Code and182
does not include the making of a report of an employee's use of a183
drug of abuse, or a report of a condition of an employee other184
than one involving the use of a drug of abuse, to the employer of185
the employee as described in division (B) of section 2305.33 of186
the Revised Code. Nothing in this division affects the immunity187
from civil liability conferred by that section upon a physician188
who makes either type of report in accordance with division (B) of189
that section. As used in this division, "employee," "employer,"190
and "physician" have the same meanings as in section 2305.33 of191
the Revised Code.192

       (5) Making a false, fraudulent, deceptive, or misleading193
statement in the solicitation of or advertising for patients; in194
relation to the practice of medicine and surgery, osteopathic195
medicine and surgery, podiatric medicine and surgery, or a limited 196
branch of medicine; or in securing or attempting to secure any 197
certificate to practice or certificate of registration issued by 198
the board.199

       As used in this division, "false, fraudulent, deceptive, or200
misleading statement" means a statement that includes a201
misrepresentation of fact, is likely to mislead or deceive because202
of a failure to disclose material facts, is intended or is likely203
to create false or unjustified expectations of favorable results,204
or includes representations or implications that in reasonable205
probability will cause an ordinarily prudent person to206
misunderstand or be deceived.207

       (6) A departure from, or the failure to conform to, minimal208
standards of care of similar practitioners under the same or209
similar circumstances, whether or not actual injury to a patient210
is established;211

       (7) Representing, with the purpose of obtaining compensation212
or other advantage as personal gain or for any other person, that213
an incurable disease or injury, or other incurable condition, can214
be permanently cured;215

       (8) The obtaining of, or attempting to obtain, money or216
anything of value by fraudulent misrepresentations in the course217
of practice;218

       (9) A plea of guilty to, a judicial finding of guilt of, or a 219
judicial finding of eligibility for intervention in lieu of220
conviction for, a felony;221

       (10) Commission of an act that constitutes a felony in this222
state, regardless of the jurisdiction in which the act was223
committed;224

       (11) A plea of guilty to, a judicial finding of guilt of, or225
a judicial finding of eligibility for intervention in lieu of226
conviction for, a misdemeanor committed in the course of practice;227

       (12) Commission of an act in the course of practice that228
constitutes a misdemeanor in this state, regardless of the229
jurisdiction in which the act was committed;230

       (13) A plea of guilty to, a judicial finding of guilt of, or231
a judicial finding of eligibility for intervention in lieu of232
conviction for, a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude;233

       (14) Commission of an act involving moral turpitude that234
constitutes a misdemeanor in this state, regardless of the235
jurisdiction in which the act was committed;236

       (15) Violation of the conditions of limitation placed by the237
board upon a certificate to practice;238

       (16) Failure to pay license renewal fees specified in this239
chapter;240

       (17) Except as authorized in section 4731.31 of the Revised241
Code, engaging in the division of fees for referral of patients,242
or the receiving of a thing of value in return for a specific243
referral of a patient to utilize a particular service or business;244

       (18) Subject to section 4731.226 of the Revised Code,245
violation of any provision of a code of ethics of the American246
medical association, the American osteopathic association, the247
American podiatric medical association, or any other national248
professional organizations that the board specifies by rule. The249
state medical board shall obtain and keep on file current copies250
of the codes of ethics of the various national professional251
organizations. The individual whose certificate is being suspended 252
or revoked shall not be found to have violated any provision of a 253
code of ethics of an organization not appropriate to the254
individual's profession.255

       For purposes of this division, a "provision of a code of256
ethics of a national professional organization" does not include257
any provision that would preclude the making of a report by a258
physician of an employee's use of a drug of abuse, or of a259
condition of an employee other than one involving the use of a260
drug of abuse, to the employer of the employee as described in261
division (B) of section 2305.33 of the Revised Code. Nothing in262
this division affects the immunity from civil liability conferred263
by that section upon a physician who makes either type of report264
in accordance with division (B) of that section. As used in this265
division, "employee," "employer," and "physician" have the same266
meanings as in section 2305.33 of the Revised Code.267

       (19) Inability to practice according to acceptable and268
prevailing standards of care by reason of mental illness or269
physical illness, including, but not limited to, physical270
deterioration that adversely affects cognitive, motor, or271
perceptive skills.272

       In enforcing this division, the board, upon a showing of a273
possible violation, may compel any individual authorized to274
practice by this chapter or who has submitted an application275
pursuant to this chapter to submit to a mental examination,276
physical examination, including an HIV test, or both a mental and277
a physical examination. The expense of the examination is the278
responsibility of the individual compelled to be examined. Failure279
to submit to a mental or physical examination or consent to an HIV280
test ordered by the board constitutes an admission of the281
allegations against the individual unless the failure is due to282
circumstances beyond the individual's control, and a default and283
final order may be entered without the taking of testimony or284
presentation of evidence. If the board finds an individual unable285
to practice because of the reasons set forth in this division, the286
board shall require the individual to submit to care, counseling,287
or treatment by physicians approved or designated by the board, as288
a condition for initial, continued, reinstated, or renewed289
authority to practice. An individual affected under this division290
shall be afforded an opportunity to demonstrate to the board the291
ability to resume practice in compliance with acceptable and292
prevailing standards under the provisions of the individual's293
certificate. For the purpose of this division, any individual who294
applies for or receives a certificate to practice under this295
chapter accepts the privilege of practicing in this state and, by296
so doing, shall be deemed to have given consent to submit to a297
mental or physical examination when directed to do so in writing298
by the board, and to have waived all objections to the299
admissibility of testimony or examination reports that constitute300
a privileged communication.301

       (20) Except when civil penalties are imposed under section302
4731.225 or 4731.281 of the Revised Code, and subject to section303
4731.226 of the Revised Code, violating or attempting to violate,304
directly or indirectly, or assisting in or abetting the violation305
of, or conspiring to violate, any provisions of this chapter or306
any rule promulgated by the board.307

       This division does not apply to a violation or attempted308
violation of, assisting in or abetting the violation of, or a309
conspiracy to violate, any provision of this chapter or any rule310
adopted by the board that would preclude the making of a report by311
a physician of an employee's use of a drug of abuse, or of a312
condition of an employee other than one involving the use of a313
drug of abuse, to the employer of the employee as described in314
division (B) of section 2305.33 of the Revised Code. Nothing in315
this division affects the immunity from civil liability conferred316
by that section upon a physician who makes either type of report317
in accordance with division (B) of that section. As used in this318
division, "employee," "employer," and "physician" have the same319
meanings as in section 2305.33 of the Revised Code.320

       (21) The violation of any abortion rule adopted by the public 321
health council pursuant to section 3701.341 of the Revised Code;322

       (22) Any of the following actions taken by the agency323
responsible for regulating the practice of medicine and surgery,324
osteopathic medicine and surgery, podiatric medicine and surgery,325
or the limited branches of medicine in another jurisdiction, for326
any reason other than the nonpayment of fees: the limitation,327
revocation, or suspension of an individual's license to practice;328
acceptance of an individual's license surrender; denial of a329
license; refusal to renew or reinstate a license; imposition of330
probation; or issuance of an order of censure or other reprimand;331

       (23) The violation of section 2919.12 of the Revised Code or332
the performance or inducement of an abortion upon a pregnant woman333
with actual knowledge that the conditions specified in division334
(B) of section 2317.56 of the Revised Code have not been satisfied335
or with a heedless indifference as to whether those conditions336
have been satisfied, unless an affirmative defense as specified in337
division (H)(2) of that section would apply in a civil action338
authorized by division (H)(1) of that section;339

       (24) The revocation, suspension, restriction, reduction, or340
termination of clinical privileges by the United States department341
of defense or department of veterans affairs or the termination or342
suspension of a certificate of registration to prescribe drugs by343
the drug enforcement administration of the United States344
department of justice;345

       (25) Termination or suspension from participation in the346
medicare or medicaid programs by the department of health and347
human services or other responsible agency for any act or acts348
that also would constitute a violation of division (B)(2), (3),349
(6), (8), or (19) of this section;350

       (26) Impairment of ability to practice according to351
acceptable and prevailing standards of care because of habitual or352
excessive use or abuse of drugs, alcohol, or other substances that353
impair ability to practice.354

       For the purposes of this division, any individual authorized355
to practice by this chapter accepts the privilege of practicing in356
this state subject to supervision by the board. By filing an357
application for or holding a certificate to practice under this358
chapter, an individual shall be deemed to have given consent to359
submit to a mental or physical examination when ordered to do so360
by the board in writing, and to have waived all objections to the361
admissibility of testimony or examination reports that constitute362
privileged communications.363

       If it has reason to believe that any individual authorized to364
practice by this chapter or any applicant for certification to365
practice suffers such impairment, the board may compel the366
individual to submit to a mental or physical examination, or both.367
The expense of the examination is the responsibility of the368
individual compelled to be examined. Any mental or physical369
examination required under this division shall be undertaken by a370
treatment provider or physician who is qualified to conduct the371
examination and who is chosen by the board.372

       Failure to submit to a mental or physical examination ordered373
by the board constitutes an admission of the allegations against374
the individual unless the failure is due to circumstances beyond375
the individual's control, and a default and final order may be376
entered without the taking of testimony or presentation of377
evidence. If the board determines that the individual's ability to 378
practice is impaired, the board shall suspend the individual's379
certificate or deny the individual's application and shall require380
the individual, as a condition for initial, continued, reinstated,381
or renewed certification to practice, to submit to treatment.382

       Before being eligible to apply for reinstatement of a383
certificate suspended under this division, the impaired384
practitioner shall demonstrate to the board the ability to resume385
practice in compliance with acceptable and prevailing standards of386
care under the provisions of the practitioner's certificate. The387
demonstration shall include, but shall not be limited to, the388
following:389

       (a) Certification from a treatment provider approved under390
section 4731.25 of the Revised Code that the individual has391
successfully completed any required inpatient treatment;392

       (b) Evidence of continuing full compliance with an aftercare393
contract or consent agreement;394

       (c) Two written reports indicating that the individual's395
ability to practice has been assessed and that the individual has396
been found capable of practicing according to acceptable and397
prevailing standards of care. The reports shall be made by398
individuals or providers approved by the board for making the399
assessments and shall describe the basis for their determination.400

       The board may reinstate a certificate suspended under this401
division after that demonstration and after the individual has402
entered into a written consent agreement.403

       When the impaired practitioner resumes practice, the board404
shall require continued monitoring of the individual. The405
monitoring shall include, but not be limited to, compliance with406
the written consent agreement entered into before reinstatement or407
with conditions imposed by board order after a hearing, and, upon408
termination of the consent agreement, submission to the board for409
at least two years of annual written progress reports made under410
penalty of perjury stating whether the individual has maintained411
sobriety.412

       (27) A second or subsequent violation of section 4731.66 or413
4731.69 of the Revised Code;414

       (28) Except as provided in division (N) of this section:415

       (a) Waiving the payment of all or any part of a deductible or 416
copayment that a patient, pursuant to a health insurance or health 417
care policy, contract, or plan that covers the individual's418
services, otherwise would be required to pay if the waiver is used419
as an enticement to a patient or group of patients to receive420
health care services from that individual;421

       (b) Advertising that the individual will waive the payment of 422
all or any part of a deductible or copayment that a patient,423
pursuant to a health insurance or health care policy, contract, or424
plan that covers the individual's services, otherwise would be425
required to pay.426

       (29) Failure to use universal blood and body fluid427
precautions established by rules adopted under section 4731.051 of428
the Revised Code;429

       (30) Failure of a collaborating physician to fulfill the430
responsibilities agreed to by the physician and an advanced431
practice nurse participating in a pilot program under section432
4723.52 of the Revised Code;433

       (31) Failure to provide notice to, and receive acknowledgment 434
of the notice from, a patient when required by section 4731.143 of 435
the Revised Code prior to providing nonemergency professional 436
services, or failure to maintain that notice in the patient's 437
file;438

       (32) Failure of a physician supervising a physician assistant 439
to maintain supervision in accordance with the requirements of 440
Chapter 4730. of the Revised Code and the rules adopted under that 441
chapter;442

       (33) Failure of a physician or podiatrist to enter into a443
standard care arrangement with a clinical nurse specialist,444
certified nurse-midwife, or certified nurse practitioner with whom445
the physician or podiatrist is in collaboration pursuant to446
section 4731.27 of the Revised Code or failure to fulfill the447
responsibilities of collaboration after entering into a standard448
care arrangement;449

       (34) Failure to comply with the terms of a consult agreement450
entered into with a pharmacist pursuant to section 4729.39 of the451
Revised Code;452

       (35) Failure to cooperate in an investigation conducted by453
the board under division (F) of this section, including failure to454
comply with a subpoena or order issued by the board or failure to455
answer truthfully a question presented by the board at a456
deposition or in written interrogatories, except that failure to457
cooperate with an investigation shall not constitute grounds for458
discipline under this section if a court of competent jurisdiction459
has issued an order that either quashes a subpoena or permits the460
individual to withhold the testimony or evidence in issue;461

       (36) Failure to supervise an acupuncturist in accordance with462
Chapter 4762. of the Revised Code and the board's rules for463
supervision of an acupuncturist;464

       (37) Failure to supervise an anesthesiologist assistant in465
accordance with Chapter 4760. of the Revised Code and the board's466
rules for supervision of an anesthesiologist assistant.467

       (C) Disciplinary actions taken by the board under divisions468
(A) and (B) of this section shall be taken pursuant to an469
adjudication under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, except that470
in lieu of an adjudication, the board may enter into a consent471
agreement with an individual to resolve an allegation of a472
violation of this chapter or any rule adopted under it. A consent473
agreement, when ratified by an affirmative vote of not fewer than474
six members of the board, shall constitute the findings and order475
of the board with respect to the matter addressed in the476
agreement. If the board refuses to ratify a consent agreement, the 477
admissions and findings contained in the consent agreement shall 478
be of no force or effect.479

       If the board takes disciplinary action against an individual480
under division (B) of this section for a second or subsequent plea481
of guilty to, or judicial finding of guilt of, a violation of482
section 2919.123 of the Revised Code, the disciplinary action483
shall consist of a suspension of the individual's certificate to484
practice for a period of at least one year or, if determined485
appropriate by the board, a more serious sanction involving the486
individual's certificate to practice. Any consent agreement487
entered into under this division with an individual that pertains488
to a second or subsequent plea of guilty to, or judicial finding489
of guilt of, a violation of that section shall provide for a490
suspension of the individual's certificate to practice for a491
period of at least one year or, if determined appropriate by the492
board, a more serious sanction involving the individual's493
certificate to practice.494

       (D) For purposes of divisions (B)(10), (12), and (14) of this495
section, the commission of the act may be established by a finding 496
by the board, pursuant to an adjudication under Chapter 119. of 497
the Revised Code, that the individual committed the act. The board498
does not have jurisdiction under those divisions if the trial 499
court renders a final judgment in the individual's favor and that 500
judgment is based upon an adjudication on the merits. The board 501
has jurisdiction under those divisions if the trial court issues 502
an order of dismissal upon technical or procedural grounds.503

       (E) The sealing of conviction records by any court shall have504
no effect upon a prior board order entered under this section or 505
upon the board's jurisdiction to take action under this section506
if, based upon a plea of guilty, a judicial finding of guilt, or a507
judicial finding of eligibility for intervention in lieu of508
conviction, the board issued a notice of opportunity for a hearing509
prior to the court's order to seal the records. The board shall510
not be required to seal, destroy, redact, or otherwise modify its511
records to reflect the court's sealing of conviction records.512

       (F)(1) The board shall investigate evidence that appears to513
show that a person has violated any provision of this chapter or514
any rule adopted under it. Any person may report to the board in a 515
signed writing any information that the person may have that516
appears to show a violation of any provision of this chapter or517
any rule adopted under it. In the absence of bad faith, any person 518
who reports information of that nature or who testifies before the 519
board in any adjudication conducted under Chapter 119. of the 520
Revised Code shall not be liable in damages in a civil action as a 521
result of the report or testimony. Each complaint or allegation of 522
a violation received by the board shall be assigned a case number 523
and shall be recorded by the board.524

       (2) Investigations of alleged violations of this chapter or525
any rule adopted under it shall be supervised by the supervising526
member elected by the board in accordance with section 4731.02 of527
the Revised Code and by the secretary as provided in section528
4731.39 of the Revised Code. The president may designate another529
member of the board to supervise the investigation in place of the530
supervising member. No member of the board who supervises the531
investigation of a case shall participate in further adjudication532
of the case.533

       (3) In investigating a possible violation of this chapter or534
any rule adopted under this chapter, the board may administer535
oaths, order the taking of depositions, issue subpoenas, and536
compel the attendance of witnesses and production of books,537
accounts, papers, records, documents, and testimony, except that a538
subpoena for patient record information shall not be issued539
without consultation with the attorney general's office and540
approval of the secretary and supervising member of the board.541
Before issuance of a subpoena for patient record information, the542
secretary and supervising member shall determine whether there is543
probable cause to believe that the complaint filed alleges a544
violation of this chapter or any rule adopted under it and that545
the records sought are relevant to the alleged violation and546
material to the investigation. The subpoena may apply only to547
records that cover a reasonable period of time surrounding the548
alleged violation.549

       On failure to comply with any subpoena issued by the board550
and after reasonable notice to the person being subpoenaed, the551
board may move for an order compelling the production of persons552
or records pursuant to the Rules of Civil Procedure.553

       A subpoena issued by the board may be served by a sheriff,554
the sheriff's deputy, or a board employee designated by the board.555
Service of a subpoena issued by the board may be made by556
delivering a copy of the subpoena to the person named therein,557
reading it to the person, or leaving it at the person's usual558
place of residence. When the person being served is a person whose 559
practice is authorized by this chapter, service of the subpoena 560
may be made by certified mail, restricted delivery, return receipt 561
requested, and the subpoena shall be deemed served on the date 562
delivery is made or the date the person refuses to accept 563
delivery.564

       A sheriff's deputy who serves a subpoena shall receive the565
same fees as a sheriff. Each witness who appears before the board566
in obedience to a subpoena shall receive the fees and mileage567
provided for witnesses in civil cases in the courts of common568
pleas.569

       (4) All hearings and investigations of the board shall be570
considered civil actions for the purposes of section 2305.251 of571
the Revised Code.572

       (5) Information received by the board pursuant to an573
investigation is confidential and not subject to discovery in any574
civil action.575

       The board shall conduct all investigations and proceedings in576
a manner that protects the confidentiality of patients and persons577
who file complaints with the board. The board shall not make578
public the names or any other identifying information about579
patients or complainants unless proper consent is given or, in the580
case of a patient, a waiver of the patient privilege exists under581
division (B) of section 2317.02 of the Revised Code, except that582
consent or a waiver of that nature is not required if the board583
possesses reliable and substantial evidence that no bona fide584
physician-patient relationship exists.585

       The board may share any information it receives pursuant to586
an investigation, including patient records and patient record587
information, with law enforcement agencies, other licensing588
boards, and other governmental agencies that are prosecuting,589
adjudicating, or investigating alleged violations of statutes or590
administrative rules. An agency or board that receives the591
information shall comply with the same requirements regarding592
confidentiality as those with which the state medical board must593
comply, notwithstanding any conflicting provision of the Revised594
Code or procedure of the agency or board that applies when it is595
dealing with other information in its possession. In a judicial596
proceeding, the information may be admitted into evidence only in597
accordance with the Rules of Evidence, but the court shall require598
that appropriate measures are taken to ensure that confidentiality599
is maintained with respect to any part of the information that600
contains names or other identifying information about patients or601
complainants whose confidentiality was protected by the state602
medical board when the information was in the board's possession.603
Measures to ensure confidentiality that may be taken by the court604
include sealing its records or deleting specific information from605
its records.606

       (6) On a quarterly basis, the board shall prepare a report607
that documents the disposition of all cases during the preceding608
three months. The report shall contain the following information609
for each case with which the board has completed its activities:610

       (a) The case number assigned to the complaint or alleged611
violation;612

       (b) The type of certificate to practice, if any, held by the613
individual against whom the complaint is directed;614

       (c) A description of the allegations contained in the615
complaint;616

       (d) The disposition of the case.617

       The report shall state how many cases are still pending and618
shall be prepared in a manner that protects the identity of each619
person involved in each case. The report shall be a public record620
under section 149.43 of the Revised Code.621

       (G) If the secretary and supervising member determine that622
there is clear and convincing evidence that an individual has623
violated division (B) of this section and that the individual's624
continued practice presents a danger of immediate and serious harm625
to the public, they may recommend that the board suspend the626
individual's certificate to practice without a prior hearing.627
Written allegations shall be prepared for consideration by the628
board.629

       The board, upon review of those allegations and by an630
affirmative vote of not fewer than six of its members, excluding631
the secretary and supervising member, may suspend a certificate632
without a prior hearing. A telephone conference call may be633
utilized for reviewing the allegations and taking the vote on the634
summary suspension.635

       The board shall issue a written order of suspension by636
certified mail or in person in accordance with section 119.07 of637
the Revised Code. The order shall not be subject to suspension by638
the court during pendency of any appeal filed under section 119.12639
of the Revised Code. If the individual subject to the summary640
suspension requests an adjudicatory hearing by the board, the date641
set for the hearing shall be within fifteen days, but not earlier642
than seven days, after the individual requests the hearing, unless643
otherwise agreed to by both the board and the individual.644

       Any summary suspension imposed under this division shall645
remain in effect, unless reversed on appeal, until a final646
adjudicative order issued by the board pursuant to this section647
and Chapter 119. of the Revised Code becomes effective. The board648
shall issue its final adjudicative order within sixty days after649
completion of its hearing. A failure to issue the order within650
sixty days shall result in dissolution of the summary suspension651
order but shall not invalidate any subsequent, final adjudicative652
order.653

       (H) If the board takes action under division (B)(9), (11), or 654
(13) of this section and the judicial finding of guilt, guilty655
plea, or judicial finding of eligibility for intervention in lieu656
of conviction is overturned on appeal, upon exhaustion of the657
criminal appeal, a petition for reconsideration of the order may658
be filed with the board along with appropriate court documents.659
Upon receipt of a petition of that nature and supporting court660
documents, the board shall reinstate the individual's certificate661
to practice. The board may then hold an adjudication under Chapter 662
119. of the Revised Code to determine whether the individual663
committed the act in question. Notice of an opportunity for a 664
hearing shall be given in accordance with Chapter 119. of the 665
Revised Code. If the board finds, pursuant to an adjudication held 666
under this division, that the individual committed the act or if667
no hearing is requested, the board may order any of the sanctions668
identified under division (B) of this section.669

       (I) The certificate to practice issued to an individual under670
this chapter and the individual's practice in this state are671
automatically suspended as of the date of the individual's second672
or subsequent plea of guilty to, or judicial finding of guilt of,673
a violation of section 2919.123 of the Revised Code, or the date674
the individual pleads guilty to, is found by a judge or jury to be675
guilty of, or is subject to a judicial finding of eligibility for676
intervention in lieu of conviction in this state or treatment or677
intervention in lieu of conviction in another jurisdiction for any678
of the following criminal offenses in this state or a679
substantially equivalent criminal offense in another jurisdiction:680
aggravated murder, murder, voluntary manslaughter, felonious681
assault, kidnapping, rape, sexual battery, gross sexual682
imposition, aggravated arson, aggravated robbery, or aggravated683
burglary. Continued practice after suspension shall be considered684
practicing without a certificate.685

       The board shall notify the individual subject to the686
suspension by certified mail or in person in accordance with687
section 119.07 of the Revised Code. If an individual whose688
certificate is automatically suspended under this division fails689
to make a timely request for an adjudication under Chapter 119. of690
the Revised Code, the board shall enterdo whichever of the691
following is applicable:692

       (1) If the automatic suspension under this division is for a693
second or subsequent plea of guilty to, or judicial finding of694
guilt of, a violation of section 2919.123 of the Revised Code, the695
board shall enter an order suspending the individual's certificate696
to practice for a period of at least one year or, if determined697
appropriate by the board, imposing a more serious sanction698
involving the individual's certificate to practice.699

       (2) In all circumstances in which division (I)(1) of this 700
section does not apply, enter a final order permanently revoking 701
the individual's certificate to practice.702

       (J) If the board is required by Chapter 119. of the Revised703
Code to give notice of an opportunity for a hearing and if the704
individual subject to the notice does not timely request a hearing705
in accordance with section 119.07 of the Revised Code, the board706
is not required to hold a hearing, but may adopt, by an707
affirmative vote of not fewer than six of its members, a final708
order that contains the board's findings. In that final order, the 709
board may order any of the sanctions identified under division (A) 710
or (B) of this section.711

       (K) Any action taken by the board under division (B) of this712
section resulting in a suspension from practice shall be713
accompanied by a written statement of the conditions under which714
the individual's certificate to practice may be reinstated. The715
board shall adopt rules governing conditions to be imposed for716
reinstatement. Reinstatement of a certificate suspended pursuant717
to division (B) of this section requires an affirmative vote of718
not fewer than six members of the board.719

       (L) When the board refuses to grant a certificate to an720
applicant, revokes an individual's certificate to practice,721
refuses to register an applicant, or refuses to reinstate an722
individual's certificate to practice, the board may specify that723
its action is permanent. An individual subject to a permanent724
action taken by the board is forever thereafter ineligible to hold725
a certificate to practice and the board shall not accept an726
application for reinstatement of the certificate or for issuance727
of a new certificate.728

       (M) Notwithstanding any other provision of the Revised Code,729
all of the following apply:730

       (1) The surrender of a certificate issued under this chapter731
shall not be effective unless or until accepted by the board.732
Reinstatement of a certificate surrendered to the board requires733
an affirmative vote of not fewer than six members of the board.734

       (2) An application for a certificate made under the735
provisions of this chapter may not be withdrawn without approval736
of the board.737

       (3) Failure by an individual to renew a certificate of738
registration in accordance with this chapter shall not remove or739
limit the board's jurisdiction to take any disciplinary action740
under this section against the individual.741

       (N) Sanctions shall not be imposed under division (B)(28) of742
this section against any person who waives deductibles and743
copayments as follows:744

       (1) In compliance with the health benefit plan that expressly 745
allows such a practice. Waiver of the deductibles or copayments 746
shall be made only with the full knowledge and consent of the plan 747
purchaser, payer, and third-party administrator. Documentation of748
the consent shall be made available to the board upon request.749

       (2) For professional services rendered to any other person750
authorized to practice pursuant to this chapter, to the extent751
allowed by this chapter and rules adopted by the board.752

       (O) Under the board's investigative duties described in this753
section and subject to division (F) of this section, the board754
shall develop and implement a quality intervention program755
designed to improve through remedial education the clinical and756
communication skills of individuals authorized under this chapter757
to practice medicine and surgery, osteopathic medicine and758
surgery, and podiatric medicine and surgery. In developing and759
implementing the quality intervention program, the board may do760
all of the following:761

       (1) Offer in appropriate cases as determined by the board an762
educational and assessment program pursuant to an investigation763
the board conducts under this section;764

       (2) Select providers of educational and assessment services,765
including a quality intervention program panel of case reviewers;766

       (3) Make referrals to educational and assessment service767
providers and approve individual educational programs recommended768
by those providers. The board shall monitor the progress of each769
individual undertaking a recommended individual educational770
program.771

       (4) Determine what constitutes successful completion of an772
individual educational program and require further monitoring of773
the individual who completed the program or other action that the774
board determines to be appropriate;775

       (5) Adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the776
Revised Code to further implement the quality intervention777
program.778

       An individual who participates in an individual educational779
program pursuant to this division shall pay the financial780
obligations arising from that educational program.781

       Sec. 4731.223.  (A) As used in this section, "prosecutor" has 782
the same meaning as in section 2935.01 of the Revised Code.783

       (B) Whenever any person holding a valid certificate issued784
pursuant to this chapter pleads guilty to, is subject to a785
judicial finding of guilt of, or is subject to a judicial finding786
of eligibility for intervention in lieu of conviction for a787
violation of Chapter 2907., 2925., or 3719. of the Revised Code or788
of any substantively comparable ordinance of a municipal789
corporation in connection with the person's practice, or for a790
second or subsequent time pleads guilty to, or is subject to a791
judicial finding of guilt of, a violation of section 2919.123 of792
the Revised Code, the prosecutor in the case, on forms prescribed793
and provided by the state medical board, shall promptly notify the794
board of the conviction or guilty plea. Within thirty days of795
receipt of that information, the board shall initiate action in796
accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code to determine797
whether to suspend or revoke the certificate under section 4731.22798
of the Revised Code.799

       (C) The prosecutor in any case against any person holding a800
valid certificate issued pursuant to this chapter, on forms801
prescribed and provided by the state medical board, shall notify802
the board of any of the following:803

       (1) A plea of guilty to, a finding of guilt by a jury or804
court of, or judicial finding of eligibility for intervention in805
lieu of conviction for a felony, or a case in which the trial806
court issues an order of dismissal upon technical or procedural807
grounds of a felony charge;808

       (2) A plea of guilty to, a finding of guilt by a jury or809
court of, or judicial finding of eligibility for intervention in810
lieu of conviction for a misdemeanor committed in the course of811
practice, or a case in which the trial court issues an order of812
dismissal upon technical or procedural grounds of a charge of a813
misdemeanor, if the alleged act was committed in the course of814
practice;815

       (3) A plea of guilty to, a finding of guilt by a jury or816
court of, or judicial finding of eligibility for intervention in817
lieu of conviction for a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, or818
a case in which the trial court issues an order of dismissal upon819
technical or procedural grounds of a charge of a misdemeanor820
involving moral turpitude.821

       The report shall include the name and address of the822
certificate holder, the nature of the offense for which the action823
was taken, and the certified court documents recording the action.824

       Section 2. That existing sections 3719.06, 4731.22, and 825
4731.223 of the Revised Code are hereby repealed.826