(127th General Assembly)
(Amended Substitute Senate Bill Number 279)



AN ACT
To amend sections 3727.01, 3727.02, 3727.321, 3727.41, 4503.44, 4715.62, 4730.03, 4730.09, 4731.15, 4731.155, 4731.19, 4731.281, 4731.293, and 4760.131 and to enact section 3727.322 of the Revised Code regarding certain State Medical Board procedures, physician assistants, limited branches of medicine, the submission of information by hospitals in meeting certain performance measures, to include the American Safety and Health Institute as a provider of basic life-support training for expanded function dental auxiliaries, and to declare an emergency.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio:

SECTION 1. That sections 3727.01, 3727.02, 3727.321, 3727.41, 4503.44, 4715.62, 4730.03, 4730.09, 4731.15, 4731.155, 4731.19, 4731.281, 4731.293, and 4760.131 be amended and section 3727.322 of the Revised Code be enacted to read as follows:

Sec. 3727.01. (A) As used in this section, "health maintenance organization" means a public or private organization organized under the law of any state that is qualified under section 1310(d) of Title XIII of the "Public Health Service Act," 87 Stat. 931 (1973), 42 U.S.C. 300e-9, or that does all of the following:

(A)(1) Provides or otherwise makes available to enrolled participants health care services including at least the following basic health care services: usual physician services, hospitalization, laboratory, x-ray, emergency and preventive service, and out-of-area coverage;

(B)(2) Is compensated, except for copayments, for the provision of basic health care services to enrolled participants by a payment that is paid on a periodic basis without regard to the date the health care services are provided and that is fixed without regard to the frequency, extent, or kind of health service actually provided;

(C)(3) Provides physician services primarily in either of the following ways:

(1)(a) Directly through physicians who are either employees or partners of the organization;

(2)(b) Through arrangements with individual physicians or one or more groups of physicians organized on a group-practice or individual-practice basis.

(B) As used in this chapter, "hospital:

(1) "Children's hospital" has the same meaning as in section 3702.51 of the Revised Code.

(2) "Hospital" means an institution classified as a hospital under section 3701.07 of the Revised Code in which are provided to inpatients diagnostic, medical, surgical, obstetrical, psychiatric, or rehabilitation care for a continuous period longer than twenty-four hours or a hospital operated by a health maintenance organization. "Hospital" does not include a facility licensed under Chapter 3721. of the Revised Code, a health care facility operated by the department of mental health or the department of mental retardation and developmental disabilities, a health maintenance organization that does not operate a hospital, the office of any private licensed health care professional, whether organized for individual or group practice, or a clinic that provides ambulatory patient services and where patients are not regularly admitted as inpatients. "Hospital" also does not include an institution for the sick that is operated exclusively for patients who use spiritual means for healing and for whom the acceptance of medical care is inconsistent with their religious beliefs, accredited by a national accrediting organization, exempt from federal income taxation under section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, 100 Stat. 2085, 26 U.S.C.A. 1, as amended, and providing twenty-four hour nursing care pursuant to the exemption in division (E) of section 4723.32 of the Revised Code from the licensing requirements of Chapter 4723. of the Revised Code.

(3) "Joint commission" means the commission formerly known as the joint commission on accreditation of healthcare organizations or the joint commission on accreditation of hospitals.

Sec. 3727.02.  (A) No person and no political subdivision, agency, or instrumentality of this state shall operate a hospital unless it is certified under Title XVIII of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C. 301, as amended, or is accredited by the joint commission on accreditation of hospitals or the American osteopathic association.

(B) No person and no political subdivision, agency, or instrumentality of this state shall hold out as a hospital any health facility that is not certified or accredited as required in division (A) of this section.

Sec. 3727.321. (A) The group of experts convened under section 3727.32 of the Revised Code may include in the recommendations developed under division (A)(1) of that section recommendations that the director of health's rules adopted under section 3727.41 of the Revised Code include some or all of the following measures:

(1) Hospital quality measures publicly reported by the centers for medicare and medicaid services;

(2) Hospital quality measures publicly reported by the joint commission on accreditation of healthcare organizations;

(3) Measures included in the patient safety indicators and inpatient quality indicators developed by the agency for health care research and quality;

(4) Measures included in the national voluntary consensus standards for hospital care endorsed by the national quality forum.

(B) In considering whether to recommend that the director include a particular measure in the rules, the group of experts shall consider whether there are any excessive administrative or financial implications associated with the reporting of information by hospitals regarding their performance in meeting the measure.

Sec. 3727.322. The director of health shall appoint a group of experts in pediatric medicine consisting of physician representatives from Ohio children's hospitals and other hospitals that provide services to the pediatric population.

The group of experts shall develop, on an ongoing basis, recommendations regarding measures for children's hospital inpatient and outpatient services and submit the recommendations to the hospital measures advisory council.

The members of the group shall serve without remuneration, except to the extent that serving in the group is considered a part of their regular employment duties. The members shall not be reimbursed for expenses incurred in the performance of their duties in the group.

Sec. 3727.41. (A) (1) The director of health shall adopt rules governing hospitals in their submission of information to the director under sections 3727.33 and 3727.34 of the Revised Code. The rules shall be adopted in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

(2) Rules adopted by the director under division (A)(1) of this section shall not require either of the following:

(a) A hospital to submit information regarding a performance, quality, or service measure for which the hospital does not provide the service;

(b) A children's hospital to report a performance, quality, or service measure for patients eighteen years of age or older.

(B)(1) The rules for submission of information under section 3727.33 of the Revised Code shall include rules specifying the inpatient and outpatient service measures to be used by hospitals in submitting the information. The rules may include any of the measures recommended by the group of experts convened under section 3727.32 of the Revised Code and shall include measures from the following:

(a) Hospital quality measures publicly reported by the centers for medicare and medicaid services;

(b) Hospital quality measures publicly reported by the joint commission on accreditation of healthcare organizations;

(c) Measures that examine volume of cases, adjusted length of stay, complications, infections, or mortality rates and are developed by the agency for health care research and quality;

(d) Measures included in the national voluntary consensus standards for hospital care endorsed by the national quality forum.

(2) In adopting rules specifying the measures to be used by hospitals in submitting the information, the director shall consider both of the following:

(a) Whether hospitals have a sufficient caseload to make a particular measure a reliable indicator of their ability to treat a diagnosis or perform a procedure in a quality manner;

(b) Whether there are any excessive administrative or financial implications associated with the reporting of information by hospitals regarding their performance in meeting a particular measure.

Sec. 4503.44.  (A) As used in this section and in section 4511.69 of the Revised Code:

(1) "Person with a disability that limits or impairs the ability to walk" means any person who, as determined by a physician, advanced practice nurse, or chiropractor health care provider, meets any of the following criteria:

(a) Cannot walk two hundred feet without stopping to rest;

(b) Cannot walk without the use of, or assistance from, a brace, cane, crutch, another person, prosthetic device, wheelchair, or other assistive device;

(c) Is restricted by a lung disease to such an extent that the person's forced (respiratory) expiratory volume for one second, when measured by spirometry, is less than one liter, or the arterial oxygen tension is less than sixty millimeters of mercury on room air at rest;

(d) Uses portable oxygen;

(e) Has a cardiac condition to the extent that the person's functional limitations are classified in severity as class III or class IV according to standards set by the American heart association;

(f) Is severely limited in the ability to walk due to an arthritic, neurological, or orthopedic condition;

(g) Is blind.

(2) "Organization" means any private organization or corporation, or any governmental board, agency, department, division, or office, that, as part of its business or program, transports persons with disabilities that limit or impair the ability to walk on a regular basis in a motor vehicle that has not been altered for the purpose of providing it with special equipment for use by handicapped persons. This definition does not apply to division (J) of this section.

(3) "Health care provider" means a physician, physician assistant, advanced practice nurse, or chiropractor as defined in this section.

(4) "Physician" means a person licensed to practice medicine or surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery under Chapter 4731. of the Revised Code.

(4)(5) "Chiropractor" means a person licensed to practice chiropractic under Chapter 4734. of the Revised Code.

(5)(6) "Advanced practice nurse" means any certified nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, certified registered nurse anesthetist, or certified nurse-midwife who holds a certificate of authority issued by the board of nursing under Chapter 4723. of the Revised Code.

(7) "Physician assistant" means a person who holds a certificate to practice as a physician assistant issued under Chapter 4730. of the Revised Code.

(B) Any organization or person with a disability that limits or impairs the ability to walk may apply to the registrar of motor vehicles for a removable windshield placard or, if the person owns or leases a motor vehicle, the person may apply for the registration of any motor vehicle the person owns or leases. In addition to one or more sets of license plates or one placard, a person with a disability that limits or impairs the ability to walk is entitled to one additional placard, but only if the person applies separately for the additional placard, states the reasons why the additional placard is needed, and the registrar, in the registrar's discretion, determines that good and justifiable cause exists to approve the request for the additional placard. When a motor vehicle has been altered for the purpose of providing it with special equipment for a person with a disability that limits or impairs the ability to walk, but is owned or leased by someone other than such a person, the owner or lessee may apply to the registrar or a deputy registrar for registration under this section. The application for registration of a motor vehicle owned or leased by a person with a disability that limits or impairs the ability to walk shall be accompanied by a signed statement from the applicant's personal physician, advanced practice nurse, or chiropractor health care provider certifying that the applicant meets at least one of the criteria contained in division (A)(1) of this section and that the disability is expected to continue for more than six consecutive months. The application for a removable windshield placard made by a person with a disability that limits or impairs the ability to walk shall be accompanied by a prescription from the applicant's personal physician, advanced practice nurse, or chiropractor health care provider prescribing such a placard for the applicant, provided that the applicant meets at least one of the criteria contained in division (A)(1) of this section. The physician, advanced practice nurse, or chiropractor health care provider shall state on the prescription the length of time the physician, advanced practice nurse, or chiropractor health care provider expects the applicant to have the disability that limits or impairs the applicant's ability to walk. The application for a removable windshield placard made by an organization shall be accompanied by such documentary evidence of regular transport of persons with disabilities that limit or impair the ability to walk by the organization as the registrar may require by rule and shall be completed in accordance with procedures that the registrar may require by rule. The application for registration of a motor vehicle that has been altered for the purpose of providing it with special equipment for a person with a disability that limits or impairs the ability to walk but is owned by someone other than such a person shall be accompanied by such documentary evidence of vehicle alterations as the registrar may require by rule.

(C) When an organization, a person with a disability that limits or impairs the ability to walk, or a person who does not have a disability that limits or impairs the ability to walk but owns a motor vehicle that has been altered for the purpose of providing it with special equipment for a person with a disability that limits or impairs the ability to walk first submits an application for registration of a motor vehicle under this section and every fifth year thereafter, the organization or person shall submit a signed statement from the applicant's personal physician, advanced practice nurse, or chiropractor health care provider, a completed application, and any required documentary evidence of vehicle alterations as provided in division (B) of this section, and also a power of attorney from the owner of the motor vehicle if the applicant leases the vehicle. Upon submission of these items, the registrar or deputy registrar shall issue to the applicant appropriate vehicle registration and a set of license plates and validation stickers, or validation stickers alone when required by section 4503.191 of the Revised Code. In addition to the letters and numbers ordinarily inscribed thereon, the license plates shall be imprinted with the international symbol of access. The license plates and validation stickers shall be issued upon payment of the regular license fee as prescribed under section 4503.04 of the Revised Code and any motor vehicle tax levied under Chapter 4504. of the Revised Code, and the payment of a service fee equal to the amount specified in division (D) or (G) of section 4503.10 of the Revised Code.

(D)(1) Upon receipt of a completed and signed application for a removable windshield placard, a prescription as described in division (B) of this section, documentary evidence of regular transport of persons with disabilities that limit or impair the ability to walk, if required, and payment of a service fee equal to the amount specified in division (D) or (G) of section 4503.10 of the Revised Code, the registrar or deputy registrar shall issue to the applicant a removable windshield placard, which shall bear the date of expiration on both sides of the placard and shall be valid until expired, revoked, or surrendered. Every removable windshield placard expires as described in division (D)(2) of this section, but in no case shall a removable windshield placard be valid for a period of less than sixty days. Removable windshield placards shall be renewable upon application as provided in division (B) of this section, and a service fee equal to the amount specified in division (D) or (G) of section 4503.10 of the Revised Code shall be charged for the renewal of a removable windshield placard. The registrar shall provide the application form and shall determine the information to be included thereon. The registrar also shall determine the form and size of the removable windshield placard, the material of which it is to be made, and any other information to be included thereon, and shall adopt rules relating to the issuance, expiration, revocation, surrender, and proper display of such placards. Any placard issued after October 14, 1999, shall be manufactured in a manner that allows the expiration date of the placard to be indicated on it through the punching, drilling, boring, or creation by any other means of holes in the placard.

(2) At the time a removable windshield placard is issued to a person with a disability that limits or impairs the ability to walk, the registrar or deputy registrar shall enter into the records of the bureau of motor vehicles the last date on which the person will have that disability, as indicated on the accompanying prescription. Not less than thirty days prior to that date and all removable windshield placard renewal dates, the bureau shall send a renewal notice to that person at the person's last known address as shown in the records of the bureau, informing the person that the person's removable windshield placard will expire on the indicated date not to exceed five years from the date of issuance, and that the person is required to renew the placard by submitting to the registrar or a deputy registrar another prescription, as described in division (B) of this section, and by complying with the renewal provisions prescribed in division (D)(1) of this section. If such a prescription is not received by the registrar or a deputy registrar by that date, the placard issued to that person expires and no longer is valid, and this fact shall be recorded in the records of the bureau.

(3) At least once every year, on a date determined by the registrar, the bureau shall examine the records of the office of vital statistics, located within the department of health, that pertain to deceased persons, and also the bureau's records of all persons who have been issued removable windshield placards and temporary removable windshield placards. If the records of the office of vital statistics indicate that a person to whom a removable windshield placard or temporary removable windshield placard has been issued is deceased, the bureau shall cancel that placard, and note the cancellation in its records.

The office of vital statistics shall make available to the bureau all information necessary to enable the bureau to comply with division (D)(3) of this section.

(4) Nothing in this section shall be construed to require a person or organization to apply for a removable windshield placard or special license plates if the parking card or special license plates issued to the person or organization under prior law have not expired or been surrendered or revoked.

(E)(1)(a) Any person with a disability that limits or impairs the ability to walk may apply to the registrar or a deputy registrar for a temporary removable windshield placard. The application for a temporary removable windshield placard shall be accompanied by a prescription from the applicant's personal physician, advanced practice nurse, or chiropractor health care provider prescribing such a placard for the applicant, provided that the applicant meets at least one of the criteria contained in division (A)(1) of this section and that the disability is expected to continue for six consecutive months or less. The physician, advanced practice nurse, or chiropractor health care provider shall state on the prescription the length of time the physician, advanced practice nurse, or chiropractor health care provider expects the applicant to have the disability that limits or impairs the applicant's ability to walk, which cannot exceed six months from the date of the prescription. Upon receipt of an application for a temporary removable windshield placard, presentation of the prescription from the applicant's personal physician, advanced practice nurse, or chiropractor health care provider, and payment of a service fee equal to the amount specified in division (D) or (G) of section 4503.10 of the Revised Code, the registrar or deputy registrar shall issue to the applicant a temporary removable windshield placard.

(b) Any active-duty member of the armed forces of the United States, including the reserve components of the armed forces and the national guard, who has an illness or injury that limits or impairs the ability to walk may apply to the registrar or a deputy registrar for a temporary removable windshield placard. With the application, the person shall present evidence of the person's active-duty status and the illness or injury. Evidence of the illness or injury may include a current department of defense convalescent leave statement, any department of defense document indicating that the person currently has an ill or injured casualty status or has limited duties, or a prescription from any physician, advanced practice nurse, or chiropractor health care provider prescribing the placard for the applicant. Upon receipt of the application and the necessary evidence, the registrar or deputy registrar shall issue the applicant the temporary removable windshield placard without the payment of any service fee.

(2) The temporary removable windshield placard shall be of the same size and form as the removable windshield placard, shall be printed in white on a red-colored background, and shall bear the word "temporary" in letters of such size as the registrar shall prescribe. A temporary removable windshield placard also shall bear the date of expiration on the front and back of the placard, and shall be valid until expired, surrendered, or revoked, but in no case shall such a placard be valid for a period of less than sixty days. The registrar shall provide the application form and shall determine the information to be included on it, provided that the registrar shall not require a physician, advanced practice nurse, or chiropractor's health care provider's prescription or certification for a person applying under division (E)(1)(b) of this section. The registrar also shall determine the material of which the temporary removable windshield placard is to be made and any other information to be included on the placard and shall adopt rules relating to the issuance, expiration, surrender, revocation, and proper display of those placards. Any temporary removable windshield placard issued after October 14, 1999, shall be manufactured in a manner that allows for the expiration date of the placard to be indicated on it through the punching, drilling, boring, or creation by any other means of holes in the placard.

(F) If an applicant for a removable windshield placard is a veteran of the armed forces of the United States whose disability, as defined in division (A)(1) of this section, is service-connected, the registrar or deputy registrar, upon receipt of the application, presentation of a signed statement from the applicant's personal physician, advanced practice nurse, or chiropractor health care provider certifying the applicant's disability, and presentation of such documentary evidence from the department of veterans affairs that the disability of the applicant meets at least one of the criteria identified in division (A)(1) of this section and is service-connected as the registrar may require by rule, but without the payment of any service fee, shall issue the applicant a removable windshield placard that is valid until expired, surrendered, or revoked.

(G) Upon a conviction of a violation of division (I), (J), or (K) of this section, the court shall report the conviction, and send the placard or parking card, if available, to the registrar, who thereupon shall revoke the privilege of using the placard or parking card and send notice in writing to the placardholder or cardholder at that holder's last known address as shown in the records of the bureau, and the placardholder or cardholder shall return the placard or card if not previously surrendered to the court, to the registrar within ten days following mailing of the notice.

Whenever a person to whom a removable windshield placard or parking card has been issued moves to another state, the person shall surrender the placard or card to the registrar; and whenever an organization to which a placard or card has been issued changes its place of operation to another state, the organization shall surrender the placard or card to the registrar.

(H) Subject to division (F) of section 4511.69 of the Revised Code, the operator of a motor vehicle displaying a removable windshield placard, temporary removable windshield placard, parking card, or the special license plates authorized by this section is entitled to park the motor vehicle in any special parking location reserved for persons with disabilities that limit or impair the ability to walk, also known as handicapped parking spaces or disability parking spaces.

(I) No person or organization that is not eligible under division (B) or (E) of this section shall willfully and falsely represent that the person or organization is so eligible.

No person or organization shall display license plates issued under this section unless the license plates have been issued for the vehicle on which they are displayed and are valid.

(J) No person or organization to which a removable windshield placard or temporary removable windshield placard is issued shall do either of the following:

(1) Display or permit the display of the placard on any motor vehicle when having reasonable cause to believe the motor vehicle is being used in connection with an activity that does not include providing transportation for persons with disabilities that limit or impair the ability to walk;

(2) Refuse to return or surrender the placard, when required.

(K)(1) No person or organization to which a parking card is issued shall do either of the following:

(a) Display or permit the display of the parking card on any motor vehicle when having reasonable cause to believe the motor vehicle is being used in connection with an activity that does not include providing transportation for a handicapped person;

(b) Refuse to return or surrender the parking card, when required.

(2) As used in division (K) of this section:

(a) "Handicapped person" means any person who has lost the use of one or both legs or one or both arms, who is blind, deaf, or so severely handicapped as to be unable to move about without the aid of crutches or a wheelchair, or whose mobility is restricted by a permanent cardiovascular, pulmonary, or other handicapping condition.

(b) "Organization" means any private organization or corporation, or any governmental board, agency, department, division, or office, that, as part of its business or program, transports handicapped persons on a regular basis in a motor vehicle that has not been altered for the purposes of providing it with special equipment for use by handicapped persons.

(L) If a removable windshield placard, temporary removable windshield placard, or parking card is lost, destroyed, or mutilated, the placardholder or cardholder may obtain a duplicate by doing both of the following:

(1) Furnishing suitable proof of the loss, destruction, or mutilation to the registrar;

(2) Paying a service fee equal to the amount specified in division (D) or (G) of section 4503.10 of the Revised Code.

Any placardholder or cardholder who loses a placard or card and, after obtaining a duplicate, finds the original, immediately shall surrender the original placard or card to the registrar.

(M) The registrar shall pay all fees received under this section for the issuance of removable windshield placards or temporary removable windshield placards or duplicate removable windshield placards or cards into the state treasury to the credit of the state bureau of motor vehicles fund created in section 4501.25 of the Revised Code.

(N) For purposes of enforcing this section, every peace officer is deemed to be an agent of the registrar. Any peace officer or any authorized employee of the bureau of motor vehicles who, in the performance of duties authorized by law, becomes aware of a person whose placard or parking card has been revoked pursuant to this section, may confiscate that placard or parking card and return it to the registrar. The registrar shall prescribe any forms used by law enforcement agencies in administering this section.

No peace officer, law enforcement agency employing a peace officer, or political subdivision or governmental agency employing a peace officer, and no employee of the bureau is liable in a civil action for damages or loss to persons arising out of the performance of any duty required or authorized by this section. As used in this division, "peace officer" has the same meaning as in division (B) of section 2935.01 of the Revised Code.

(O) All applications for registration of motor vehicles, removable windshield placards, and temporary removable windshield placards issued under this section, all renewal notices for such items, and all other publications issued by the bureau that relate to this section shall set forth the criminal penalties that may be imposed upon a person who violates any provision relating to special license plates issued under this section, the parking of vehicles displaying such license plates, and the issuance, procurement, use, and display of removable windshield placards and temporary removable windshield placards issued under this section.

(P) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.

Sec. 4715.62.  (A) Each individual seeking to register with the state dental board as an expanded function dental auxiliary shall file with the secretary of the board a written application for registration, under oath, on a form the board shall prescribe and provide. An applicant shall include with the completed application all of the following:

(1) An application fee of twenty dollars;

(2) Proof satisfactory to the board that the applicant has successfully completed, at an educational institution accredited by the commission on dental accreditation of the American dental association or the higher learning commission of the north central association of colleges and schools, the education or training specified by the board in rules adopted under section 4715.66 of the Revised Code as the education or training that is necessary to obtain registration under this chapter to practice as an expanded function dental auxiliary, as evidenced by a diploma or other certificate of graduation or completion that has been signed by an appropriate official of the accredited institution that provided education or training;

(3) Proof satisfactory to the board that the applicant has passed an examination that meets the standards established by the board in rules adopted under section 4715.66 of the Revised Code to be accepted by the board as an examination of competency to practice as an expanded function dental auxiliary;

(4) Proof that the applicant holds current certification to perform basic life-support procedures, evidenced by documentation showing the successful completion of a basic life-support training course certified by either the American red cross or, the American heart association, or the American safety and health institute.

(B) If an applicant complies with division (A) of this section, the board shall register the applicant as an expanded function dental auxiliary.

Sec. 4730.03.  Nothing in this chapter shall:

(A) Be construed to affect or interfere with the performance of duties of any medical personnel in who are either of the following:

(1) In active service in the army, navy, coast guard, marine corps, air force, public health service, or marine hospital service of the United States while so serving;

(2) Employed by the veterans administration of the United States while so employed;

(B) Prevent any person from performing any of the services a physician assistant may be authorized to perform, if the person's professional scope of practice established under any other chapter of the Revised Code authorizes the person to perform the services;

(C) Prohibit a physician from delegating responsibilities to any nurse or other qualified person who does not hold a certificate to practice as a physician assistant, provided that the individual does not hold the individual out to be a physician assistant;

(D) Be construed as authorizing a physician assistant independently to order or direct the execution of procedures or techniques by a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse in the care and treatment of a person in any setting, except to the extent that the physician assistant is authorized to do so by the physician supervisory plan approved under section 4730.17 of the Revised Code for the physician who is responsible for supervising the physician assistant or the policies of the health care facility in which the physician assistant is practicing;

(E) Authorize a physician assistant to engage in the practice of optometry, except to the extent that the physician assistant is authorized by a supervising physician acting in accordance with this chapter to perform routine visual screening, provide medical care prior to or following eye surgery, or assist in the care of diseases of the eye;

(F) Be construed as authorizing a physician assistant to prescribe any drug or device to perform or induce an abortion, or as otherwise authorizing a physician assistant to perform or induce an abortion.

Sec. 4730.09. (A) Under a physician supervisory plan approved under section 4730.17 of the Revised Code, a physician assistant may provide any or all of the following services without approval by the state medical board as special services:

(1) Obtaining comprehensive patient histories;

(2) Performing physical examinations, including audiometry screening, routine visual screening, and pelvic, rectal, and genital-urinary examinations, when indicated;

(3) Ordering, performing, or ordering and performing routine diagnostic procedures, as indicated;

(4) Identifying normal and abnormal findings on histories, physical examinations, and commonly performed diagnostic studies;

(5) Assessing patients and developing and implementing treatment plans for patients;

(6) Monitoring the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions;

(7) Exercising physician-delegated prescriptive authority pursuant to a certificate to prescribe issued under this chapter;

(8) Carrying out or relaying the supervising physician's orders for the administration of medication, to the extent permitted by law;

(9) Providing patient education;

(10) Instituting and changing orders on patient charts;

(11) Performing developmental screening examinations on children with regard to neurological, motor, and mental functions;

(12) Performing wound care management, suturing minor lacerations and removing the sutures, and incision and drainage of uncomplicated superficial abscesses;

(13) Removing superficial foreign bodies;

(14) Administering intravenous fluids;

(15) Inserting a foley or cudae catheter into the urinary bladder and removing the catheter;

(16) Removing intrauterine devices;

(17) Performing biopsies of superficial lesions;

(18) Making appropriate referrals as directed by the supervising physician;

(19) Removing norplant capsules;

(20) Performing penile duplex ultrasound;

(21) Changing of a tracheostomy;

(22) Performing bone marrow aspirations from the posterior iliac crest;

(23) Performing bone marrow biopsies from the posterior iliac crest;

(24) Performing cystograms;

(25) Performing nephrostograms after physician placement of nephrostomy tubes;

(26) Fitting or inserting family planning devices, including intrauterine devices, diaphragms, and cervical caps;

(27) Removing cervical polyps;

(28) Performing nerve conduction testing;

(29) Performing endometrial biopsies;

(30) Inserting filiform and follower catheters;

(31) Performing arthrocentesis of the knee;

(32) Performing knee joint injections;

(33) Performing endotracheal intubation with successful completion of an advanced cardiac life support course;

(34) Performing lumbar punctures;

(35) In accordance with rules adopted by the board, using light-based medical devices for the purpose of hair removal;

(36) Administering, monitoring, or maintaining local anesthesia, as defined in section 4730.091 of the Revised Code;

(37) Applying or removing a cast or splint;

(38) Performing other services that are within the supervising physician's normal course of practice and expertise, if the services are included in any model physician supervisory plan approved under section 4730.06 of the Revised Code or the services are designated by the board by rule or other means as services that are not subject to approval as special services.

(B) Under the policies of a health care facility, the services a physician assistant may provide are limited to the services the facility has authorized the physician assistant to provide for the facility. The services a health care facility may authorize a physician assistant to provide for the facility include the following:

(1) Any or all of the services specified in division (A) of this section;

(2) Assisting in surgery in the health care facility;

(3) Any other services permitted by the policies of the health care facility, except that the facility may not authorize a physician assistant to perform a service that is prohibited by this chapter.

Sec. 4731.15.  (A)(1) The state medical board also shall regulate the following limited branches of medicine: massage therapy and cosmetic therapy, and to the extent specified in section 4731.151 of the Revised Code, naprapathy and mechanotherapy. The board shall adopt rules governing the limited branches of medicine under its jurisdiction. The rules shall be adopted in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

(2) As used in this chapter, "cosmetic therapy" means the permanent removal of hair from the human body through the use of electric modalities approved by the board for use in cosmetic therapy, and additionally may include the systematic friction, stroking, slapping, and kneading or tapping of the face, neck, scalp, or shoulders.

(B) All persons who hold A certificate to practice a limited branch of medicine issued by the state medical board is valid for a two-year period, except when an initial certificate is issued for a shorter period or when division (C)(2) of this section is applicable. The certificate may be renewed in accordance with division (C) of this section.

(C)(1) Except as provided in division (C)(2) of this section, all of the following apply with respect to the renewal of certificates to practice a limited branch of medicine:

(a) Each person seeking to renew a certificate to practice a limited branch of medicine issued by the state medical board, whether residents of this state or not, shall on or before the first day of June of each odd-numbered year, register apply for biennial registration with the state medical board on a renewal application form prescribed by the board and. An applicant for renewal shall pay at such time a biennial registration fee of fifty dollars. At least one month in advance of the date of registration, a written notice that the biennial registration fee is due on or before the first day of June shall be sent to each holder of a certificate to practice a limited branch of medicine, at the person's

(b) At least six months before a certificate expires, the board shall mail or cause to be mailed a renewal notice to the certificate holder's last known address. All

(c) At least three months before a certificate expires, the certificate holder shall submit the renewal application and biennial registration fee to the board.

(2) Beginning with the 2009 registration period, the board shall implement a staggered renewal system that is substantially similar to the staggered renewal system the board uses under division (B) of section 4731.281 of the Revised Code.

(D) All persons who hold a certificate to practice a limited branch of medicine issued by the state medical board shall provide the board written notice of any change of address. The notice shall be submitted to the board not later than thirty days after the change of address.

(E) A certificate to practice a limited branch of medicine shall be automatically suspended if the fee is not paid by the first day of September of the year it is due certificate holder fails to renew the certificate in accordance with division (C) of this section. Continued practice after the suspension of the certificate to practice shall be considered as practicing in violation of sections 4731.34 and 4731.41 of the Revised Code. Subject to section 4731.222 of the Revised Code, if

If a certificate to practice has been suspended pursuant to this division for two years or less, the it may be reinstated. The board shall reinstate a the certificate to practice suspended for failure to register upon an applicant's submission of a renewal application and payment of the biennial registration fee and the applicable monetary penalty. With regard to reinstatement of a certificate to practice cosmetic therapy, the applicant also shall submit with the application a certification that the number of hours of continuing education necessary to have a suspended certificate reinstated have been completed, as specified in rules the board shall adopt in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code. The penalty for reinstatement shall be twenty-five dollars. If

If a certificate has been suspended pursuant to this division for more than two years, it may be restored. Subject to section 4731.222 of the Revised Code, the board may restore the certificate upon an applicant's submission of a restoration application, the biennial registration fee, and the applicable monetary penalty and compliance with sections 4776.01 to 4776.04 of the Revised Code. The board shall not restore to an applicant a certificate to practice unless the board, in its discretion, decides that the results of the criminal records check do not make the applicant ineligible for a certificate issued pursuant to section 4731.18 of the Revised Code. The penalty for restoration is fifty dollars.

Sec. 4731.155.  (A) Each Except as provided in division (D) of this section, each person holding a certificate to practice cosmetic therapy within this state shall complete biennially not less than twenty-five hours of continuing cosmetic therapy education.

Cosmetic therapists shall earn continuing education credits at the rate of one-half credit hour for each twenty-five to thirty minutes of instruction and one credit hour for each fifty to sixty minutes of instruction.

(B) Only continuing education approved by the state medical board may be used to fulfill the requirements of division (A) of this section.

(C) Each certified cosmetic therapist shall submit to the board at the time of biennial registration renewal pursuant to section 4731.15 of the Revised Code a sworn affidavit, in a form acceptable to the board, attesting that he the cosmetic therapist has completed continuing education programs in compliance with this section and listing the date, location, sponsor, subject matter, and hours completed of the programs.

(D) The board shall adopt rules providing for pro rata reductions adjustments by month of the hours of continuing education required by this section for persons who first receive a certificate during a registration period or who have a registration period that is shorter or longer than two years because of the implementation of a staggered renewal system under section 4731.15 of the Revised Code.

The board may excuse a cosmetic therapist from all or any part of the requirements of this section because of an unusual circumstance, emergency, or special hardship.

(E) Failure to comply with the requirements of this section constitutes a failure to renew registration pursuant to section 4731.15 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 4731.19. (A) The state medical board shall determine the standing of the schools, colleges, or institutions giving instruction in the limited branches of medicine of massage therapy and cosmetic therapy. If there shall at any time be such schools, colleges, or institutions giving instruction in such limited branches, the

(B) An applicant for a certificate to practice a limited branch of medicine shall, as a condition of admission to the examination, produce a have one of the following:

(1) A diploma or certificate from a school, college, or institution in good standing as determined by the board, showing the completion of the required courses of instruction;

(2) A current license, registration, or certificate that is in good standing in another state for massage therapy or cosmetic therapy, as applicable;

(3) Certification from a national certification body and a diploma or certificate from a school, college, or institution showing completion of a course of instruction that meets course requirements determined by the board through rules adopted under section 4731.05 of the Revised Code.

The entrance examiner of the board shall determine the sufficiency of the preliminary education of applicants for a certificate to practice massage therapy or cosmetic therapy in the same manner that sufficiency of preliminary education is determined under section 4731.09 of the Revised Code, except that the board may adopt rules defining and establishing for the limited branch of medicine preliminary educational requirements that are less exacting than those prescribed by such section, as the nature of the case may require.

Sec. 4731.281.  (A) On or before the deadline established under division (B) of this section for applying for renewal of a certificate of registration, each person holding a certificate under this chapter to practice medicine and surgery, osteopathic medicine and surgery, or podiatric medicine and surgery shall certify to the state medical board that in the preceding two years the person has completed one hundred hours of continuing medical education. The certification shall be made upon the application for biennial registration submitted pursuant to division (B) of this section. The board shall adopt rules providing for pro rata reductions by month of the number of hours of continuing education required for persons who are in their first registration period, who have a registration period of less than two years due to initial implementation of the staggered renewal schedule established under division (B) of this section, who have been disabled due to illness or accident, or who have been absent from the country.

In determining whether a course, program, or activity qualifies for credit as continuing medical education, the board shall approve all continuing medical education taken by persons holding a certificate to practice medicine and surgery that is certified by the Ohio state medical association, all continuing medical education taken by persons holding a certificate to practice osteopathic medicine and surgery that is certified by the Ohio osteopathic association, and all continuing medical education taken by persons holding a certificate to practice podiatry podiatric medicine and surgery that is certified by the Ohio podiatric medical association. Each person holding a certificate to practice under this chapter shall be given sufficient choice of continuing education programs to ensure that the person has had a reasonable opportunity to participate in continuing education programs that are relevant to the person's medical practice in terms of subject matter and level.

The board may require a random sample of persons holding a certificate to practice under this chapter to submit materials documenting completion of the continuing medical education requirement during the preceding registration period, but this provision shall not limit the board's authority to investigate pursuant to section 4731.22 of the Revised Code.

(B)(1) Every person holding a certificate under this chapter to practice medicine and surgery, osteopathic medicine and surgery, or podiatric medicine and surgery wishing to renew that certificate shall apply to the board for a certificate of registration upon an application furnished by the board, and pay to the board at the time of application a fee of three hundred five dollars, according to the following schedule:

(a) Persons whose last name begins with the letters "A" through "B," on or before April 1, 2001, and the first day of April of every odd-numbered year thereafter;

(b) Persons whose last name begins with the letters "C" through "D," on or before January 1, 2001, and the first day of January of every odd-numbered year thereafter;

(c) Persons whose last name begins with the letters "E" through "G," on or before October 1, 2000, and the first day of October of every even-numbered year thereafter;

(d) Persons whose last name begins with the letters "H" through "K," on or before July 1, 2000, and the first day of July of every even-numbered year thereafter;

(e) Persons whose last name begins with the letters "L" through "M," on or before April 1, 2000, and the first day of April of every even-numbered year thereafter;

(f) Persons whose last name begins with the letters "N" through "R," on or before January 1, 2000, and the first day of January of every even-numbered year thereafter;

(g) Persons whose last name begins with the letter "S," on or before October 1, 1999, and the first day of October of every odd-numbered year thereafter;

(h) Persons whose last name begins with the letters "T" through "Z," on or before July 1, 1999, and the first day of July of every odd-numbered year thereafter.

The board shall deposit the fee in accordance with section 4731.24 of the Revised Code, except that the board shall deposit twenty dollars of the fee into the state treasury to the credit of the physician loan repayment fund created by section 3702.78 of the Revised Code.

(2) The board shall mail or cause to be mailed to every person registered to practice medicine and surgery, osteopathic medicine and surgery, or podiatric medicine and surgery, an application for a notice of registration renewal addressed to the person's last known post-office address or may cause the application notice to be sent to the person through the secretary of any recognized medical, osteopathic, or podiatric society, according to the following schedule:

(a) To persons whose last name begins with the letters "A" through "B," on or before January 1, 2001, and the first day of January of every odd-numbered year thereafter;

(b) To persons whose last name begins with the letters "C" through "D," on or before October 1, 2000, and the first day of October of every even-numbered year thereafter;

(c) To persons whose last name begins with the letters "E" through "G," on or before July 1, 2000, and the first day of July of every even-numbered year thereafter;

(d) To persons whose last name begins with the letters "H" through "K," on or before April 1, 2000, and the first day of April of every even-numbered year thereafter;

(e) To persons whose last name begins with the letters "L" through "M," on or before January 1, 2000, and the first day of January of every even-numbered year thereafter;

(f) To persons whose last name begins with the letters "N" through "R," on or before October 1, 1999, and the first day of October of every odd-numbered year thereafter;

(g) To persons whose last name begins with the letter "S," on or before July 1, 1999, and the first day of July of every odd-numbered year thereafter;

(h) To persons whose last name begins with the letters "T" through "Z," on or before April 1, 1999, and the first day of April of every odd-numbered year thereafter.

Failure of any person to receive an application a notice of renewal from the board shall not excuse the person from the requirements contained in this section. The application shall contain proper spaces for the applicant's signature and the insertion of the required information, including a statement that the person has fulfilled the continuing education requirements imposed by this section.

The notice shall inform the applicant of the renewal procedure. The board shall provide the application for registration renewal in a form determined by the board. The applicant shall write or cause to be written upon provide in the application so furnished the applicant's full name, principal practice address and residence address, the number of the applicant's certificate to practice, and any other facts for the identification of the applicant as a person holding a certificate to practice under this chapter as information required by the board considers necessary. The applicant shall include with the application a list of the names and addresses of any clinical nurse specialists, certified nurse-midwives, or certified nurse practitioners with whom the applicant is currently collaborating, as defined in section 4723.01 of the Revised Code. The applicant shall execute and deliver the application to the board by mail or in person in a manner prescribed by the board. Every person registered under this section shall give written notice to the board of any change of principal practice address or residence address or in the list within thirty days of the change.

The applicant shall report any criminal offense that constitutes grounds for refusal of registration under section 4731.22 of the Revised Code to which the applicant has pleaded guilty, of which the applicant has been found guilty, or for which the applicant has been found eligible for intervention in lieu of conviction, since last signing filing an application for a certificate of registration.

(C) The board shall issue to any person holding a certificate under this chapter to practice medicine and surgery, osteopathic medicine and surgery, or podiatric medicine and surgery, upon application and qualification therefor in accordance with this section, a certificate of registration under the seal of the board. A certificate of registration shall be valid for a two-year period, commencing on the first day of the third month after the registration fee is due and expiring on the last day of the month two years thereafter.

The board shall publish and cause to be mailed to each person registered under this section, upon request, a printed list of the persons so registered.

(D) Failure of any certificate holder to register and comply with this section shall operate automatically to suspend the holder's certificate to practice. Continued practice after the suspension of the certificate to practice shall be considered as practicing in violation of section 4731.41, 4731.43, or 4731.60 of the Revised Code. If the certificate has been suspended pursuant to this division for two years or less, it may be reinstated. The board shall reinstate a certificate to practice suspended for failure to register upon an applicant's submission of a renewal application, the biennial registration fee, and the applicable monetary penalty. The penalty for reinstatement shall be fifty dollars. If the certificate has been suspended pursuant to this division for more than two years, it may be restored. In accordance with Subject to section 4731.222 of the Revised Code, the board may restore a certificate to practice suspended for failure to register upon an applicant's submission of a restoration application, the biennial registration fee, and the applicable monetary penalty and compliance with sections 4776.01 to 4776.04 of the Revised Code. The board shall not restore to an applicant a certificate to practice unless the board, in its discretion, decides that the results of the criminal records check do not make the applicant ineligible for a certificate issued pursuant to section 4731.14, 4731.56, or 4731.57 of the Revised Code. The penalty for restoration shall be one hundred dollars. The board shall deposit the penalties in accordance with section 4731.24 of the Revised Code.

(E) If an individual certifies completion of the number of hours and type of continuing medical education required to receive a certificate of registration or reinstatement of a certificate to practice, and the board finds through the random samples it conducts under this section or through any other means that the individual did not complete the requisite continuing medical education, the board may impose a civil penalty of not more than five thousand dollars. The board's finding shall be made pursuant to an adjudication under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code and by an affirmative vote of not fewer than six members.

A civil penalty imposed under this division may be in addition to or in lieu of any other action the board may take under section 4731.22 of the Revised Code. The board shall deposit civil penalties in accordance with section 4731.24 of the Revised Code.

(F) The state medical board may obtain information not protected by statutory or common law privilege from courts and other sources concerning malpractice claims against any person holding a certificate to practice under this chapter or practicing as provided in section 4731.36 of the Revised Code.

(G) Each mailing sent by the board under division (B)(2) of this section to a person registered to practice medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery shall inform the applicant of the reporting requirement established by division (H) of section 3701.79 of the Revised Code. At the discretion of the board, the information may be included on the application for registration or on an accompanying page.

Sec. 4731.293.  (A) The state medical board may issue, without examination, a visiting medical faculty certificate to any person who holds a current, unrestricted license to practice medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery issued by another state or country and has been appointed to serve in this state on the academic staff of a medical school accredited by the liaison committee on medical education or an osteopathic medical school accredited by the American osteopathic association. Except as provided in division (E) of this section, the board shall not issue more than one visiting medical faculty certificate to any particular person.

(B) An applicant for a visiting medical faculty certificate shall submit evidence satisfactory to the board that he the applicant meets the requirements of division (A) of this section. The applicant shall pay a fee of one hundred twenty-five three hundred seventy-five dollars. The board shall maintain a register of all persons who hold a visiting medical faculty certificate.

(C) The holder of a visiting medical faculty certificate may practice medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery only as is incidental to his certificate holder's teaching duties at the school or the teaching hospitals affiliated with the school. The board may revoke a certificate on receiving proof satisfactory to the board that the holder of the certificate has engaged in practice in this state outside the scope of the certificate or that there are grounds for action against him the certificate holder under section 4731.22 of the Revised Code.

(D) A visiting medical faculty certificate is valid for the shorter of one year three years or the duration of the holder's appointment to the academic staff of the school. The certificate may not be renewed.

(E) If a person was granted a visiting medical faculty certificate before the effective date of this amendment, the person may apply for a second visiting medical faculty certificate, unless the person's first certificate was revoked. The board may issue the second certificate if the applicant complies with division (B) of this section.

(F) The board may adopt any rules it considers necessary to implement this section. The rules shall be adopted in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

Sec. 4760.131.  On receipt of a notice pursuant to section 2301.373 3123.43 of the Revised Code, the state medical board shall comply with that section sections 3123.41 to 3123.50 of the Revised Code and any applicable rules adopted under section 3123.63 of the Revised Code with respect to a certificate of registration as an anesthesiologist assistant issued pursuant to this chapter.

SECTION 2. That existing sections 3727.01, 3727.02, 3727.321, 3727.41, 4503.44, 4715.62, 4730.03, 4730.09, 4731.15, 4731.155, 4731.19, 4731.281, 4731.293, and 4760.131 of the Revised Code are hereby repealed.

SECTION 3. (A) Notwithstanding any conflicting provision of section 4731.15 of the Revised Code, this section applies to the renewal of certificates to practice a limited branch of medicine in the registration period that begins in 2009.

(B) On or before May 1, 2009, the State Medical Board shall mail or cause to be mailed a renewal notice to each person who holds a certificate to practice a limited branch of medicine. The notice shall be sent to the certificate holder's last known address. Failure to receive a notice from the Board does not excuse the certificate holder from the requirement to renew the certificate.

On or before August 31, 2009, each certificate holder seeking renewal shall apply to the Board and pay the applicable fee specified in division (C) of this section. If an applicant meets the requirements for renewal, the Board shall renew the applicant's certificate to practice for the applicable length of time specified in division (C) of this section.

(C) In renewing certificates to practice under this section, the Board shall charge the following fees and use the following expiration dates:

(1) For applicants whose last name begins with the letters "A" through "B," the fee shall be forty-five dollars and the expiration date shall be July 1, 2011.

(2) For applicants whose last name begins with the letters "C" through "D," the fee shall be forty dollars and the expiration date shall be April 1, 2011.

(3) For applicants whose last name begins with the letters "E" through "G," the fee shall be thirty-five dollars and the expiration date shall be January 1, 2011.

(4) For applicants whose last name begins with the letters "H" through "K," the fee shall be thirty dollars and the expiration date shall be October 1, 2010.

(5) For applicants whose last name begins with the letters "L" through "M," the fee shall be seventy dollars and the expiration date shall be July 1, 2012.

(6) For applicants whose last name begins with the letters "N" through "R," the fee shall be sixty-five dollars and the expiration date shall be April 1, 2012.

(7) For applicants whose last name begins with the letter "S," the fee shall be sixty dollars and the expiration date shall be January 1, 2012.

(8) For applicants whose last name begins with the letters "T" through "Z," the fee shall be fifty dollars and the expiration date shall be October 1, 2011.

SECTION 4.  This act is hereby declared to be an emergency measure necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety. The reason for such necessity is to ensure the continuity of medical care for the citizens of this state. Therefore, this act shall go into immediate effect.