As Reported by the House Health Committee

127th General Assembly
Regular Session
2007-2008
H. B. No. 280


Representative Schneider 

Cosponsors: Representatives Aslanides, Setzer, Uecker, Brinkman, Flowers, Combs, Huffman, Zehringer, Widener, Adams, Hite, Jones, Hottinger, Wachtmann, Seitz, Evans, Latta, Bubp, McGregor, J., Fessler, Wagner, Wagoner, Collier, Schindel, Wolpert, Coley, Gibbs, Patton, DeGeeter, White, Bolon, Blessing, Hagan, J., Mandel, Goodwin, Batchelder, Distel, Oelslager, Brady, Barrett, Sears, Mecklenborg 



A BILL
To amend sections 2919.25, 3702.30, and 4731.22 and 1
to enact section 3701.791 of the Revised Code 2
requiring facilities that perform abortions to 3
display a sign and enhancing the criminal penalty 4
for causing or attempting to cause physical harm 5
to a family or household member who was pregnant 6
at the time of the offense.7


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

       Section 1.  That sections 2919.25, 3702.30, and 4731.22 be 8
amended and section 3701.791 of the Revised Code be enacted to 9
read as follows:10

       Sec. 2919.25.  (A) No person shall knowingly cause or attempt 11
to cause physical harm to a family or household member.12

       (B) No person shall recklessly cause serious physical harm to 13
a family or household member.14

       (C) No person, by threat of force, shall knowingly cause a15
family or household member to believe that the offender will cause16
imminent physical harm to the family or household member.17

       (D)(1) Whoever violates this section is guilty of domestic18
violence. 19

       (2) Except as otherwise provided in division (D)(3) or (4)to 20
(5) of this section, a violation of division (C) of this section 21
is a misdemeanor of the fourth degree, and a violation of division 22
(A) or (B) of this section is a misdemeanor of the first degree.23

       (3) Except as otherwise provided in division (D)(4) of this 24
section, if the offender previously has pleaded guilty to or been 25
convicted of domestic violence, a violation of an existing or 26
former municipal ordinance or law of this or any other state or 27
the United States that is substantially similar to domestic 28
violence, a violation of section 2903.14, 2909.06, 2909.07, 29
2911.12, 2911.211, or 2919.22 of the Revised Code if the victim of 30
the violation was a family or household member at the time of the31
violation, a violation of an existing or former municipal 32
ordinance or law of this or any other state or the United States 33
that is substantially similar to any of those sections if the 34
victim of the violation was a family or household member at the 35
time of the commission of the violation, or any offense of 36
violence if the victim of the offense was a family or household 37
member at the time of the commission of the offense, a violation 38
of division (A) or (B) of this section is a felony of the fourth 39
degree, and a violation of division (C) of this section is a40
misdemeanor of the second degree.41

       (4) If the offender previously has pleaded guilty to or been 42
convicted of two or more offenses of domestic violence or two or 43
more violations or offenses of the type described in division 44
(D)(3) of this section involving a person who was a family or 45
household member at the time of the violations or offenses, a 46
violation of division (A) or (B) of this section is a felony of 47
the third degree, and a violation of division (C) of this section 48
is a misdemeanor of the first degree.49

       (5) If the offender knew the victim of the violation was 50
pregnant at the time of the violation, a violation of division (A) 51
or (B) of this section is a felony of the fifth degree and a 52
violation of division (C) of this section is a misdemeanor of the 53
third degree.54

       (E) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, no55
court or unit of state or local government shall charge any fee,56
cost, deposit, or money in connection with the filing of charges57
against a person alleging that the person violated this section or58
a municipal ordinance substantially similar to this section or in59
connection with the prosecution of any charges so filed.60

       (F) As used in this section and sections 2919.251 and 2919.2661
of the Revised Code:62

       (1) "Family or household member" means any of the following:63

       (a) Any of the following who is residing or has resided with64
the offender:65

       (i) A spouse, a person living as a spouse, or a former spouse 66
of the offender;67

       (ii) A parent or a child of the offender, or another person68
related by consanguinity or affinity to the offender;69

       (iii) A parent or a child of a spouse, person living as a70
spouse, or former spouse of the offender, or another person71
related by consanguinity or affinity to a spouse, person living as72
a spouse, or former spouse of the offender.73

       (b) The natural parent of any child of whom the offender is74
the other natural parent or is the putative other natural parent.75

       (2) "Person living as a spouse" means a person who is living76
or has lived with the offender in a common law marital77
relationship, who otherwise is cohabiting with the offender, or78
who otherwise has cohabited with the offender within five years79
prior to the date of the alleged commission of the act in80
question.81

       Sec. 3701.791. (A) As used in this section, "medical 82
emergency" means a condition of a pregnant woman that, in the 83
reasonable judgment of the physician who is attending the woman, 84
creates an immediate threat of serious risk to the life or 85
physical health of the woman from the continuation of the 86
pregnancy necessitating the immediate performance or inducement of 87
an abortion.88

       (B) Except as provided in division (D) of this section, an 89
office or facility at which abortions are performed or induced 90
shall post the notice described in division (C) of this section in 91
a conspicuous location in an area of the office or facility that 92
is accessible to all patients, employees, and visitors.93

       The notice shall be displayed on a poster with dimensions of 94
at least seventeen inches by eleven inches. The first two 95
sentences of the notice shall be printed in at least a 96
forty-four-point typeface and the remaining lines shall be in at 97
least a thirty-point typeface.98

       (C) The department of health shall publish the following 99
notice on its internet web site in a manner that can be copied and 100
produced in poster form:101

       "NO ONE CAN FORCE YOU TO HAVE AN ABORTION.102

       NO ONE – NOT A PARENT, NOT A HUSBAND, NOT A BOYFRIEND – NO 103
ONE.104

       Under Ohio law, an abortion cannot be legally performed on 105
anyone, regardless of her age, unless she VOLUNTARILY CONSENTS to 106
having the abortion.107

       Ohio law requires that, before an abortion can legally be 108
performed, the pregnant female must sign a form indicating that 109
she consents to having the abortion "voluntarily" and "WITHOUT 110
COERCION BY ANY PERSON."111

       IF SOMEONE IS TRYING TO FORCE YOU TO HAVE AN ABORTION AGAINST 112
YOUR WILL:113

       DO NOT SIGN THE CONSENT FORM114

       IF YOU ARE AT AN ABORTION FACILITY, TELL AN EMPLOYEE OF THE 115
FACILITY THAT SOMEONE IS TRYING TO FORCE YOU TO HAVE AN ABORTION."116

       (D) Division (B) of this section does not apply to an office 117
or facility at which abortions are performed or induced due only 118
to a medical emergency.119

       Sec. 3702.30.  (A) As used in this section:120

       (1) "Ambulatory surgical facility" means a facility, whether121
or not part of the same organization as a hospital, that is122
located in a building distinct from another in which inpatient123
care is provided, and to which any of the following apply:124

       (a) Outpatient surgery is routinely performed in the125
facility, and the facility functions separately from a hospital's126
inpatient surgical service and from the offices of private127
physicians, podiatrists, and dentists.128

       (b) Anesthesia is administered in the facility by an129
anesthesiologist or certified registered nurse anesthetist, and130
the facility functions separately from a hospital's inpatient131
surgical service and from the offices of private physicians,132
podiatrists, and dentists.133

       (c) The facility applies to be certified by the United States 134
centers for medicare and medicaid services as an ambulatory135
surgical center for purposes of reimbursement under Part B of the136
medicare program, Part B of Title XVIII of the "Social Security137
Act," 79 Stat. 286 (1965), 42 U.S.C.A. 1395, as amended.138

       (d) The facility applies to be certified by a national139
accrediting body approved by the centers for medicare and medicaid 140
services for purposes of deemed compliance with the conditions for 141
participating in the medicare program as an ambulatory surgical 142
center.143

       (e) The facility bills or receives from any third-party144
payer, governmental health care program, or other person or145
government entity any ambulatory surgical facility fee that is146
billed or paid in addition to any fee for professional services.147

       (f) The facility is held out to any person or government148
entity as an ambulatory surgical facility or similar facility by149
means of signage, advertising, or other promotional efforts.150

       "Ambulatory surgical facility" does not include a hospital151
emergency department.152

       (2) "Ambulatory surgical facility fee" means a fee for153
certain overhead costs associated with providing surgical services154
in an outpatient setting. A fee is an ambulatory surgical facility 155
fee only if it directly or indirectly pays for costs associated 156
with any of the following:157

       (a) Use of operating and recovery rooms, preparation areas,158
and waiting rooms and lounges for patients and relatives;159

       (b) Administrative functions, record keeping, housekeeping,160
utilities, and rent;161

       (c) Services provided by nurses, orderlies, technical162
personnel, and others involved in patient care related to163
providing surgery.164

       "Ambulatory surgical facility fee" does not include any165
additional payment in excess of a professional fee that is166
provided to encourage physicians, podiatrists, and dentists to167
perform certain surgical procedures in their office or their group168
practice's office rather than a health care facility, if the169
purpose of the additional fee is to compensate for additional cost170
incurred in performing office-based surgery.171

       (3) "Governmental health care program" has the same meaning172
as in section 4731.65 of the Revised Code.173

       (4) "Health care facility" means any of the following:174

       (a) An ambulatory surgical facility;175

       (b) A freestanding dialysis center;176

       (c) A freestanding inpatient rehabilitation facility;177

       (d) A freestanding birthing center;178

       (e) A freestanding radiation therapy center;179

       (f) A freestanding or mobile diagnostic imaging center.180

       (5) "Third-party payer" has the same meaning as in section181
3901.38 of the Revised Code.182

       (B) By rule adopted in accordance with sections 3702.12 and183
3702.13 of the Revised Code, the director of health shall184
establish quality standards for health care facilities. The185
standards may incorporate accreditation standards or other quality186
standards established by any entity recognized by the director.187

       (C) Every ambulatory surgical facility shall require that188
each physician who practices at the facility comply with all189
relevant provisions in the Revised Code that relate to the190
obtaining of informed consent from a patient.191

       (D) The director shall issue a license to each health care192
facility that makes application for a license and demonstrates to193
the director that it meets the quality standards established by194
the rules adopted under division (B) of this section and satisfies195
the informed consent compliance requirements specified in division196
(C) of this section.197

       (E)(1) Except as provided in section 3702.301 of the Revised 198
Code, no health care facility shall operate without a license 199
issued under this section.200

       (2) If the department of health finds that a physician who201
practices at a health care facility is not complying with any202
provision of the Revised Code related to the obtaining of informed203
consent from a patient, the department shall report its finding to204
the state medical board, the physician, and the health care205
facility.206

       (3) This division does not create, and shall not be construed207
as creating, a new cause of action or substantive legal right208
against a health care facility and in favor of a patient who209
allegedly sustains harm as a result of the failure of the210
patient's physician to obtain informed consent from the patient211
prior to performing a procedure on or otherwise caring for the212
patient in the health care facility.213

       (F) The rules adopted under division (B) of this section214
shall include all of the following:215

       (1) Provisions governing application for, renewal,216
suspension, and revocation of a license under this section;217

       (2) Provisions governing orders issued pursuant to section218
3702.32 of the Revised Code for a health care facility to cease219
its operations or to prohibit certain types of services provided220
by a health care facility;221

       (3) Provisions governing the imposition under section 3702.32 222
of the Revised Code of civil penalties for violations of this 223
section or the rules adopted under this section, including a scale 224
for determining the amount of the penalties.225

       (G) An ambulatory surgical facility that performs or induces 226
abortions shall comply with section 3701.791 of the Revised Code.227

       Sec. 4731.22.  (A) The state medical board, by an affirmative 228
vote of not fewer than six of its members, may revoke or may229
refuse to grant a certificate to a person found by the board to230
have committed fraud during the administration of the examination 231
for a certificate to practice or to have committed fraud, 232
misrepresentation, or deception in applying for or securing any 233
certificate to practice or certificate of registration issued by 234
the board.235

       (B) The board, by an affirmative vote of not fewer than six236
members, shall, to the extent permitted by law, limit, revoke, or237
suspend an individual's certificate to practice, refuse to238
register an individual, refuse to reinstate a certificate, or239
reprimand or place on probation the holder of a certificate for240
one or more of the following reasons:241

       (1) Permitting one's name or one's certificate to practice or242
certificate of registration to be used by a person, group, or243
corporation when the individual concerned is not actually244
directing the treatment given;245

       (2) Failure to maintain minimal standards applicable to the246
selection or administration of drugs, or failure to employ247
acceptable scientific methods in the selection of drugs or other248
modalities for treatment of disease;249

       (3) Selling, giving away, personally furnishing, prescribing, 250
or administering drugs for other than legal and legitimate 251
therapeutic purposes or a plea of guilty to, a judicial finding of 252
guilt of, or a judicial finding of eligibility for intervention in253
lieu of conviction of, a violation of any federal or state law 254
regulating the possession, distribution, or use of any drug;255

       (4) Willfully betraying a professional confidence.256

       For purposes of this division, "willfully betraying a257
professional confidence" does not include providing any258
information, documents, or reports to a child fatality review259
board under sections 307.621 to 307.629 of the Revised Code and260
does not include the making of a report of an employee's use of a261
drug of abuse, or a report of a condition of an employee other262
than one involving the use of a drug of abuse, to the employer of263
the employee as described in division (B) of section 2305.33 of264
the Revised Code. Nothing in this division affects the immunity265
from civil liability conferred by that section upon a physician266
who makes either type of report in accordance with division (B) of267
that section. As used in this division, "employee," "employer,"268
and "physician" have the same meanings as in section 2305.33 of269
the Revised Code.270

       (5) Making a false, fraudulent, deceptive, or misleading271
statement in the solicitation of or advertising for patients; in272
relation to the practice of medicine and surgery, osteopathic273
medicine and surgery, podiatric medicine and surgery, or a limited 274
branch of medicine; or in securing or attempting to secure any 275
certificate to practice or certificate of registration issued by 276
the board.277

       As used in this division, "false, fraudulent, deceptive, or278
misleading statement" means a statement that includes a279
misrepresentation of fact, is likely to mislead or deceive because280
of a failure to disclose material facts, is intended or is likely281
to create false or unjustified expectations of favorable results,282
or includes representations or implications that in reasonable283
probability will cause an ordinarily prudent person to284
misunderstand or be deceived.285

       (6) A departure from, or the failure to conform to, minimal286
standards of care of similar practitioners under the same or287
similar circumstances, whether or not actual injury to a patient288
is established;289

       (7) Representing, with the purpose of obtaining compensation290
or other advantage as personal gain or for any other person, that291
an incurable disease or injury, or other incurable condition, can292
be permanently cured;293

       (8) The obtaining of, or attempting to obtain, money or294
anything of value by fraudulent misrepresentations in the course295
of practice;296

       (9) A plea of guilty to, a judicial finding of guilt of, or a 297
judicial finding of eligibility for intervention in lieu of298
conviction for, a felony;299

       (10) Commission of an act that constitutes a felony in this300
state, regardless of the jurisdiction in which the act was301
committed;302

       (11) A plea of guilty to, a judicial finding of guilt of, or303
a judicial finding of eligibility for intervention in lieu of304
conviction for, a misdemeanor committed in the course of practice;305

       (12) Commission of an act in the course of practice that306
constitutes a misdemeanor in this state, regardless of the307
jurisdiction in which the act was committed;308

       (13) A plea of guilty to, a judicial finding of guilt of, or309
a judicial finding of eligibility for intervention in lieu of310
conviction for, a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude;311

       (14) Commission of an act involving moral turpitude that312
constitutes a misdemeanor in this state, regardless of the313
jurisdiction in which the act was committed;314

       (15) Violation of the conditions of limitation placed by the315
board upon a certificate to practice;316

       (16) Failure to pay license renewal fees specified in this317
chapter;318

       (17) Except as authorized in section 4731.31 of the Revised319
Code, engaging in the division of fees for referral of patients,320
or the receiving of a thing of value in return for a specific321
referral of a patient to utilize a particular service or business;322

       (18) Subject to section 4731.226 of the Revised Code,323
violation of any provision of a code of ethics of the American324
medical association, the American osteopathic association, the325
American podiatric medical association, or any other national326
professional organizations that the board specifies by rule. The327
state medical board shall obtain and keep on file current copies328
of the codes of ethics of the various national professional329
organizations. The individual whose certificate is being suspended 330
or revoked shall not be found to have violated any provision of a 331
code of ethics of an organization not appropriate to the332
individual's profession.333

       For purposes of this division, a "provision of a code of334
ethics of a national professional organization" does not include335
any provision that would preclude the making of a report by a336
physician of an employee's use of a drug of abuse, or of a337
condition of an employee other than one involving the use of a338
drug of abuse, to the employer of the employee as described in339
division (B) of section 2305.33 of the Revised Code. Nothing in340
this division affects the immunity from civil liability conferred341
by that section upon a physician who makes either type of report342
in accordance with division (B) of that section. As used in this343
division, "employee," "employer," and "physician" have the same344
meanings as in section 2305.33 of the Revised Code.345

       (19) Inability to practice according to acceptable and346
prevailing standards of care by reason of mental illness or347
physical illness, including, but not limited to, physical348
deterioration that adversely affects cognitive, motor, or349
perceptive skills.350

       In enforcing this division, the board, upon a showing of a351
possible violation, may compel any individual authorized to352
practice by this chapter or who has submitted an application353
pursuant to this chapter to submit to a mental examination,354
physical examination, including an HIV test, or both a mental and355
a physical examination. The expense of the examination is the356
responsibility of the individual compelled to be examined. Failure357
to submit to a mental or physical examination or consent to an HIV358
test ordered by the board constitutes an admission of the359
allegations against the individual unless the failure is due to360
circumstances beyond the individual's control, and a default and361
final order may be entered without the taking of testimony or362
presentation of evidence. If the board finds an individual unable363
to practice because of the reasons set forth in this division, the364
board shall require the individual to submit to care, counseling,365
or treatment by physicians approved or designated by the board, as366
a condition for initial, continued, reinstated, or renewed367
authority to practice. An individual affected under this division368
shall be afforded an opportunity to demonstrate to the board the369
ability to resume practice in compliance with acceptable and370
prevailing standards under the provisions of the individual's371
certificate. For the purpose of this division, any individual who372
applies for or receives a certificate to practice under this373
chapter accepts the privilege of practicing in this state and, by374
so doing, shall be deemed to have given consent to submit to a375
mental or physical examination when directed to do so in writing376
by the board, and to have waived all objections to the377
admissibility of testimony or examination reports that constitute378
a privileged communication.379

       (20) Except when civil penalties are imposed under section380
4731.225 or 4731.281 of the Revised Code, and subject to section381
4731.226 of the Revised Code, violating or attempting to violate,382
directly or indirectly, or assisting in or abetting the violation383
of, or conspiring to violate, any provisions of this chapter or384
any rule promulgated by the board.385

       This division does not apply to a violation or attempted386
violation of, assisting in or abetting the violation of, or a387
conspiracy to violate, any provision of this chapter or any rule388
adopted by the board that would preclude the making of a report by389
a physician of an employee's use of a drug of abuse, or of a390
condition of an employee other than one involving the use of a391
drug of abuse, to the employer of the employee as described in392
division (B) of section 2305.33 of the Revised Code. Nothing in393
this division affects the immunity from civil liability conferred394
by that section upon a physician who makes either type of report395
in accordance with division (B) of that section. As used in this396
division, "employee," "employer," and "physician" have the same397
meanings as in section 2305.33 of the Revised Code.398

       (21) The violation of section 3701.79 of the Revised Code or 399
of any abortion rule adopted by the public health council pursuant 400
to section 3701.341 of the Revised Code;401

       (22) Any of the following actions taken by the agency402
responsible for regulating the practice of medicine and surgery,403
osteopathic medicine and surgery, podiatric medicine and surgery,404
or the limited branches of medicine in another jurisdiction, for405
any reason other than the nonpayment of fees: the limitation,406
revocation, or suspension of an individual's license to practice;407
acceptance of an individual's license surrender; denial of a408
license; refusal to renew or reinstate a license; imposition of409
probation; or issuance of an order of censure or other reprimand;410

       (23) The violation of section 2919.12 of the Revised Code or411
the performance or inducement of an abortion upon a pregnant woman412
with actual knowledge that the conditions specified in division413
(B) of section 2317.56 of the Revised Code have not been satisfied414
or with a heedless indifference as to whether those conditions415
have been satisfied, unless an affirmative defense as specified in416
division (H)(2) of that section would apply in a civil action417
authorized by division (H)(1) of that section;418

       (24) The revocation, suspension, restriction, reduction, or419
termination of clinical privileges by the United States department420
of defense or department of veterans affairs or the termination or421
suspension of a certificate of registration to prescribe drugs by422
the drug enforcement administration of the United States423
department of justice;424

       (25) Termination or suspension from participation in the425
medicare or medicaid programs by the department of health and426
human services or other responsible agency for any act or acts427
that also would constitute a violation of division (B)(2), (3),428
(6), (8), or (19) of this section;429

       (26) Impairment of ability to practice according to430
acceptable and prevailing standards of care because of habitual or431
excessive use or abuse of drugs, alcohol, or other substances that432
impair ability to practice.433

       For the purposes of this division, any individual authorized434
to practice by this chapter accepts the privilege of practicing in435
this state subject to supervision by the board. By filing an436
application for or holding a certificate to practice under this437
chapter, an individual shall be deemed to have given consent to438
submit to a mental or physical examination when ordered to do so439
by the board in writing, and to have waived all objections to the440
admissibility of testimony or examination reports that constitute441
privileged communications.442

       If it has reason to believe that any individual authorized to443
practice by this chapter or any applicant for certification to444
practice suffers such impairment, the board may compel the445
individual to submit to a mental or physical examination, or both.446
The expense of the examination is the responsibility of the447
individual compelled to be examined. Any mental or physical448
examination required under this division shall be undertaken by a449
treatment provider or physician who is qualified to conduct the450
examination and who is chosen by the board.451

       Failure to submit to a mental or physical examination ordered452
by the board constitutes an admission of the allegations against453
the individual unless the failure is due to circumstances beyond454
the individual's control, and a default and final order may be455
entered without the taking of testimony or presentation of456
evidence. If the board determines that the individual's ability to 457
practice is impaired, the board shall suspend the individual's458
certificate or deny the individual's application and shall require459
the individual, as a condition for initial, continued, reinstated,460
or renewed certification to practice, to submit to treatment.461

       Before being eligible to apply for reinstatement of a462
certificate suspended under this division, the impaired463
practitioner shall demonstrate to the board the ability to resume464
practice in compliance with acceptable and prevailing standards of465
care under the provisions of the practitioner's certificate. The466
demonstration shall include, but shall not be limited to, the467
following:468

       (a) Certification from a treatment provider approved under469
section 4731.25 of the Revised Code that the individual has470
successfully completed any required inpatient treatment;471

       (b) Evidence of continuing full compliance with an aftercare472
contract or consent agreement;473

       (c) Two written reports indicating that the individual's474
ability to practice has been assessed and that the individual has475
been found capable of practicing according to acceptable and476
prevailing standards of care. The reports shall be made by477
individuals or providers approved by the board for making the478
assessments and shall describe the basis for their determination.479

       The board may reinstate a certificate suspended under this480
division after that demonstration and after the individual has481
entered into a written consent agreement.482

       When the impaired practitioner resumes practice, the board483
shall require continued monitoring of the individual. The484
monitoring shall include, but not be limited to, compliance with485
the written consent agreement entered into before reinstatement or486
with conditions imposed by board order after a hearing, and, upon487
termination of the consent agreement, submission to the board for488
at least two years of annual written progress reports made under489
penalty of perjury stating whether the individual has maintained490
sobriety.491

       (27) A second or subsequent violation of section 4731.66 or492
4731.69 of the Revised Code;493

       (28) Except as provided in division (N) of this section:494

       (a) Waiving the payment of all or any part of a deductible or 495
copayment that a patient, pursuant to a health insurance or health 496
care policy, contract, or plan that covers the individual's497
services, otherwise would be required to pay if the waiver is used498
as an enticement to a patient or group of patients to receive499
health care services from that individual;500

       (b) Advertising that the individual will waive the payment of 501
all or any part of a deductible or copayment that a patient,502
pursuant to a health insurance or health care policy, contract, or503
plan that covers the individual's services, otherwise would be504
required to pay.505

       (29) Failure to use universal blood and body fluid506
precautions established by rules adopted under section 4731.051 of507
the Revised Code;508

       (30) Failure to provide notice to, and receive acknowledgment 509
of the notice from, a patient when required by section 4731.143 of 510
the Revised Code prior to providing nonemergency professional 511
services, or failure to maintain that notice in the patient's 512
file;513

       (31) Failure of a physician supervising a physician assistant 514
to maintain supervision in accordance with the requirements of 515
Chapter 4730. of the Revised Code and the rules adopted under that 516
chapter;517

       (32) Failure of a physician or podiatrist to enter into a518
standard care arrangement with a clinical nurse specialist,519
certified nurse-midwife, or certified nurse practitioner with whom520
the physician or podiatrist is in collaboration pursuant to521
section 4731.27 of the Revised Code or failure to fulfill the522
responsibilities of collaboration after entering into a standard523
care arrangement;524

       (33) Failure to comply with the terms of a consult agreement525
entered into with a pharmacist pursuant to section 4729.39 of the526
Revised Code;527

       (34) Failure to cooperate in an investigation conducted by528
the board under division (F) of this section, including failure to529
comply with a subpoena or order issued by the board or failure to530
answer truthfully a question presented by the board at a531
deposition or in written interrogatories, except that failure to532
cooperate with an investigation shall not constitute grounds for533
discipline under this section if a court of competent jurisdiction534
has issued an order that either quashes a subpoena or permits the535
individual to withhold the testimony or evidence in issue;536

       (35) Failure to supervise an acupuncturist in accordance with537
Chapter 4762. of the Revised Code and the board's rules for538
supervision of an acupuncturist;539

       (36) Failure to supervise an anesthesiologist assistant in540
accordance with Chapter 4760. of the Revised Code and the board's541
rules for supervision of an anesthesiologist assistant;542

       (37) Assisting suicide as defined in section 3795.01 of the543
Revised Code;544

       (38) Performing or inducing an abortion at an office or 545
facility with knowledge that the office or facility fails to post 546
the notice required under section 3701.791 of the Revised Code.547

       (C) Disciplinary actions taken by the board under divisions548
(A) and (B) of this section shall be taken pursuant to an549
adjudication under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, except that550
in lieu of an adjudication, the board may enter into a consent551
agreement with an individual to resolve an allegation of a552
violation of this chapter or any rule adopted under it. A consent553
agreement, when ratified by an affirmative vote of not fewer than554
six members of the board, shall constitute the findings and order555
of the board with respect to the matter addressed in the556
agreement. If the board refuses to ratify a consent agreement, the 557
admissions and findings contained in the consent agreement shall 558
be of no force or effect.559

       If the board takes disciplinary action against an individual560
under division (B) of this section for a second or subsequent plea561
of guilty to, or judicial finding of guilt of, a violation of562
section 2919.123 of the Revised Code, the disciplinary action563
shall consist of a suspension of the individual's certificate to564
practice for a period of at least one year or, if determined565
appropriate by the board, a more serious sanction involving the566
individual's certificate to practice. Any consent agreement567
entered into under this division with an individual that pertains568
to a second or subsequent plea of guilty to, or judicial finding569
of guilt of, a violation of that section shall provide for a570
suspension of the individual's certificate to practice for a571
period of at least one year or, if determined appropriate by the572
board, a more serious sanction involving the individual's573
certificate to practice.574

       (D) For purposes of divisions (B)(10), (12), and (14) of this575
section, the commission of the act may be established by a finding 576
by the board, pursuant to an adjudication under Chapter 119. of 577
the Revised Code, that the individual committed the act. The board578
does not have jurisdiction under those divisions if the trial 579
court renders a final judgment in the individual's favor and that 580
judgment is based upon an adjudication on the merits. The board 581
has jurisdiction under those divisions if the trial court issues 582
an order of dismissal upon technical or procedural grounds.583

       (E) The sealing of conviction records by any court shall have584
no effect upon a prior board order entered under this section or 585
upon the board's jurisdiction to take action under this section586
if, based upon a plea of guilty, a judicial finding of guilt, or a587
judicial finding of eligibility for intervention in lieu of588
conviction, the board issued a notice of opportunity for a hearing589
prior to the court's order to seal the records. The board shall590
not be required to seal, destroy, redact, or otherwise modify its591
records to reflect the court's sealing of conviction records.592

       (F)(1) The board shall investigate evidence that appears to593
show that a person has violated any provision of this chapter or594
any rule adopted under it. Any person may report to the board in a 595
signed writing any information that the person may have that596
appears to show a violation of any provision of this chapter or597
any rule adopted under it. In the absence of bad faith, any person 598
who reports information of that nature or who testifies before the 599
board in any adjudication conducted under Chapter 119. of the 600
Revised Code shall not be liable in damages in a civil action as a 601
result of the report or testimony. Each complaint or allegation of 602
a violation received by the board shall be assigned a case number 603
and shall be recorded by the board.604

       (2) Investigations of alleged violations of this chapter or605
any rule adopted under it shall be supervised by the supervising606
member elected by the board in accordance with section 4731.02 of607
the Revised Code and by the secretary as provided in section608
4731.39 of the Revised Code. The president may designate another609
member of the board to supervise the investigation in place of the610
supervising member. No member of the board who supervises the611
investigation of a case shall participate in further adjudication612
of the case.613

       (3) In investigating a possible violation of this chapter or614
any rule adopted under this chapter, the board may administer615
oaths, order the taking of depositions, issue subpoenas, and616
compel the attendance of witnesses and production of books,617
accounts, papers, records, documents, and testimony, except that a618
subpoena for patient record information shall not be issued619
without consultation with the attorney general's office and620
approval of the secretary and supervising member of the board.621
Before issuance of a subpoena for patient record information, the622
secretary and supervising member shall determine whether there is623
probable cause to believe that the complaint filed alleges a624
violation of this chapter or any rule adopted under it and that625
the records sought are relevant to the alleged violation and626
material to the investigation. The subpoena may apply only to627
records that cover a reasonable period of time surrounding the628
alleged violation.629

       On failure to comply with any subpoena issued by the board630
and after reasonable notice to the person being subpoenaed, the631
board may move for an order compelling the production of persons632
or records pursuant to the Rules of Civil Procedure.633

       A subpoena issued by the board may be served by a sheriff,634
the sheriff's deputy, or a board employee designated by the board.635
Service of a subpoena issued by the board may be made by636
delivering a copy of the subpoena to the person named therein,637
reading it to the person, or leaving it at the person's usual638
place of residence. When the person being served is a person whose 639
practice is authorized by this chapter, service of the subpoena 640
may be made by certified mail, restricted delivery, return receipt 641
requested, and the subpoena shall be deemed served on the date 642
delivery is made or the date the person refuses to accept 643
delivery.644

       A sheriff's deputy who serves a subpoena shall receive the645
same fees as a sheriff. Each witness who appears before the board646
in obedience to a subpoena shall receive the fees and mileage647
provided for witnesses in civil cases in the courts of common648
pleas.649

       (4) All hearings and investigations of the board shall be650
considered civil actions for the purposes of section 2305.252 of651
the Revised Code.652

       (5) Information received by the board pursuant to an653
investigation is confidential and not subject to discovery in any654
civil action.655

       The board shall conduct all investigations and proceedings in656
a manner that protects the confidentiality of patients and persons657
who file complaints with the board. The board shall not make658
public the names or any other identifying information about659
patients or complainants unless proper consent is given or, in the660
case of a patient, a waiver of the patient privilege exists under661
division (B) of section 2317.02 of the Revised Code, except that662
consent or a waiver of that nature is not required if the board663
possesses reliable and substantial evidence that no bona fide664
physician-patient relationship exists.665

       The board may share any information it receives pursuant to666
an investigation, including patient records and patient record667
information, with law enforcement agencies, other licensing668
boards, and other governmental agencies that are prosecuting,669
adjudicating, or investigating alleged violations of statutes or670
administrative rules. An agency or board that receives the671
information shall comply with the same requirements regarding672
confidentiality as those with which the state medical board must673
comply, notwithstanding any conflicting provision of the Revised674
Code or procedure of the agency or board that applies when it is675
dealing with other information in its possession. In a judicial676
proceeding, the information may be admitted into evidence only in677
accordance with the Rules of Evidence, but the court shall require678
that appropriate measures are taken to ensure that confidentiality679
is maintained with respect to any part of the information that680
contains names or other identifying information about patients or681
complainants whose confidentiality was protected by the state682
medical board when the information was in the board's possession.683
Measures to ensure confidentiality that may be taken by the court684
include sealing its records or deleting specific information from685
its records.686

       (6) On a quarterly basis, the board shall prepare a report687
that documents the disposition of all cases during the preceding688
three months. The report shall contain the following information689
for each case with which the board has completed its activities:690

       (a) The case number assigned to the complaint or alleged691
violation;692

       (b) The type of certificate to practice, if any, held by the693
individual against whom the complaint is directed;694

       (c) A description of the allegations contained in the695
complaint;696

       (d) The disposition of the case.697

       The report shall state how many cases are still pending and698
shall be prepared in a manner that protects the identity of each699
person involved in each case. The report shall be a public record700
under section 149.43 of the Revised Code.701

       (G) If the secretary and supervising member determine that702
there is clear and convincing evidence that an individual has703
violated division (B) of this section and that the individual's704
continued practice presents a danger of immediate and serious harm705
to the public, they may recommend that the board suspend the706
individual's certificate to practice without a prior hearing.707
Written allegations shall be prepared for consideration by the708
board.709

       The board, upon review of those allegations and by an710
affirmative vote of not fewer than six of its members, excluding711
the secretary and supervising member, may suspend a certificate712
without a prior hearing. A telephone conference call may be713
utilized for reviewing the allegations and taking the vote on the714
summary suspension.715

       The board shall issue a written order of suspension by716
certified mail or in person in accordance with section 119.07 of717
the Revised Code. The order shall not be subject to suspension by718
the court during pendency of any appeal filed under section 119.12719
of the Revised Code. If the individual subject to the summary720
suspension requests an adjudicatory hearing by the board, the date721
set for the hearing shall be within fifteen days, but not earlier722
than seven days, after the individual requests the hearing, unless723
otherwise agreed to by both the board and the individual.724

       Any summary suspension imposed under this division shall725
remain in effect, unless reversed on appeal, until a final726
adjudicative order issued by the board pursuant to this section727
and Chapter 119. of the Revised Code becomes effective. The board728
shall issue its final adjudicative order within sixty days after729
completion of its hearing. A failure to issue the order within730
sixty days shall result in dissolution of the summary suspension731
order but shall not invalidate any subsequent, final adjudicative732
order.733

       (H) If the board takes action under division (B)(9), (11), or 734
(13) of this section and the judicial finding of guilt, guilty735
plea, or judicial finding of eligibility for intervention in lieu736
of conviction is overturned on appeal, upon exhaustion of the737
criminal appeal, a petition for reconsideration of the order may738
be filed with the board along with appropriate court documents.739
Upon receipt of a petition of that nature and supporting court740
documents, the board shall reinstate the individual's certificate741
to practice. The board may then hold an adjudication under Chapter 742
119. of the Revised Code to determine whether the individual743
committed the act in question. Notice of an opportunity for a 744
hearing shall be given in accordance with Chapter 119. of the 745
Revised Code. If the board finds, pursuant to an adjudication held 746
under this division, that the individual committed the act or if747
no hearing is requested, the board may order any of the sanctions748
identified under division (B) of this section.749

       (I) The certificate to practice issued to an individual under750
this chapter and the individual's practice in this state are751
automatically suspended as of the date of the individual's second752
or subsequent plea of guilty to, or judicial finding of guilt of,753
a violation of section 2919.123 of the Revised Code, or the date 754
the individual pleads guilty to, is found by a judge or jury to be 755
guilty of, or is subject to a judicial finding of eligibility for 756
intervention in lieu of conviction in this state or treatment or 757
intervention in lieu of conviction in another jurisdiction for any 758
of the following criminal offenses in this state or a759
substantially equivalent criminal offense in another jurisdiction: 760
aggravated murder, murder, voluntary manslaughter, felonious 761
assault, kidnapping, rape, sexual battery, gross sexual 762
imposition, aggravated arson, aggravated robbery, or aggravated 763
burglary. Continued practice after suspension shall be considered 764
practicing without a certificate.765

       The board shall notify the individual subject to the766
suspension by certified mail or in person in accordance with767
section 119.07 of the Revised Code. If an individual whose768
certificate is automatically suspended under this division fails 769
to make a timely request for an adjudication under Chapter 119. of 770
the Revised Code, the board shall do whichever of the following is 771
applicable:772

       (1) If the automatic suspension under this division is for a773
second or subsequent plea of guilty to, or judicial finding of774
guilt of, a violation of section 2919.123 of the Revised Code, the775
board shall enter an order suspending the individual's certificate776
to practice for a period of at least one year or, if determined777
appropriate by the board, imposing a more serious sanction778
involving the individual's certificate to practice.779

       (2) In all circumstances in which division (I)(1) of this 780
section does not apply, enter a final order permanently revoking 781
the individual's certificate to practice.782

       (J) If the board is required by Chapter 119. of the Revised783
Code to give notice of an opportunity for a hearing and if the784
individual subject to the notice does not timely request a hearing785
in accordance with section 119.07 of the Revised Code, the board786
is not required to hold a hearing, but may adopt, by an787
affirmative vote of not fewer than six of its members, a final788
order that contains the board's findings. In that final order, the 789
board may order any of the sanctions identified under division (A) 790
or (B) of this section.791

       (K) Any action taken by the board under division (B) of this792
section resulting in a suspension from practice shall be793
accompanied by a written statement of the conditions under which794
the individual's certificate to practice may be reinstated. The795
board shall adopt rules governing conditions to be imposed for796
reinstatement. Reinstatement of a certificate suspended pursuant797
to division (B) of this section requires an affirmative vote of798
not fewer than six members of the board.799

       (L) When the board refuses to grant a certificate to an800
applicant, revokes an individual's certificate to practice,801
refuses to register an applicant, or refuses to reinstate an802
individual's certificate to practice, the board may specify that803
its action is permanent. An individual subject to a permanent804
action taken by the board is forever thereafter ineligible to hold805
a certificate to practice and the board shall not accept an806
application for reinstatement of the certificate or for issuance807
of a new certificate.808

       (M) Notwithstanding any other provision of the Revised Code,809
all of the following apply:810

       (1) The surrender of a certificate issued under this chapter811
shall not be effective unless or until accepted by the board.812
Reinstatement of a certificate surrendered to the board requires813
an affirmative vote of not fewer than six members of the board.814

       (2) An application for a certificate made under the815
provisions of this chapter may not be withdrawn without approval816
of the board.817

       (3) Failure by an individual to renew a certificate of818
registration in accordance with this chapter shall not remove or819
limit the board's jurisdiction to take any disciplinary action820
under this section against the individual.821

       (N) Sanctions shall not be imposed under division (B)(28) of822
this section against any person who waives deductibles and823
copayments as follows:824

       (1) In compliance with the health benefit plan that expressly 825
allows such a practice. Waiver of the deductibles or copayments 826
shall be made only with the full knowledge and consent of the plan 827
purchaser, payer, and third-party administrator. Documentation of828
the consent shall be made available to the board upon request.829

       (2) For professional services rendered to any other person830
authorized to practice pursuant to this chapter, to the extent831
allowed by this chapter and rules adopted by the board.832

       (O) Under the board's investigative duties described in this833
section and subject to division (F) of this section, the board834
shall develop and implement a quality intervention program835
designed to improve through remedial education the clinical and836
communication skills of individuals authorized under this chapter837
to practice medicine and surgery, osteopathic medicine and838
surgery, and podiatric medicine and surgery. In developing and839
implementing the quality intervention program, the board may do840
all of the following:841

       (1) Offer in appropriate cases as determined by the board an842
educational and assessment program pursuant to an investigation843
the board conducts under this section;844

       (2) Select providers of educational and assessment services,845
including a quality intervention program panel of case reviewers;846

       (3) Make referrals to educational and assessment service847
providers and approve individual educational programs recommended848
by those providers. The board shall monitor the progress of each849
individual undertaking a recommended individual educational850
program.851

       (4) Determine what constitutes successful completion of an852
individual educational program and require further monitoring of853
the individual who completed the program or other action that the854
board determines to be appropriate;855

       (5) Adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the856
Revised Code to further implement the quality intervention857
program.858

       An individual who participates in an individual educational859
program pursuant to this division shall pay the financial860
obligations arising from that educational program.861

       Section 2.  That existing sections 2919.25, 3702.30, and 862
4731.22 of the Revised Code are hereby repealed.863