AB 501 — Physicians and surgeons.

Summary

Existing law, the Medical Practice Act, provides for the licensure and regulation of physicians and surgeons by the Medical Board of California. Existing law makes it a misdemeanor for a person who is not licensed as a physician and surgeon under the act to use certain words, letters, and phrases or any other terms that imply that he or she is authorized to practice medicine as a physician and surgeon. This bill would authorize certain persons who are not licensed as physicians and surgeons under the act to use the words "doctor" or "physician," the letters or prefix "Dr.," or the initials "M.D.," as specified. Existing law authorizes the board to issue a probationary license subject to specified terms and conditions, including restrictions against engaging in certain types of medical practice. Existing law authorizes a licensee who demonstrates that he or she is unable to practice medicine due to a disability to request a waiver of the license renewal fee. Under existing law, a licensee granted that waiver is prohibited from practicing medicine until he or she establishes that the disability no longer exists or signs an agreement, under penalty of perjury, agreeing to limit his or her practice in the manner prescribed by the reviewing physician. Existing law authorizes the board to commence disciplinary actions relating to physicians and surgeons including, but not limited to, unprofessional conduct, as defined, and to issue letters of reprimand, and suspend and revoke licenses. This bill would authorize an applicant for a license who is otherwise eligible for a license but is unable to practice some aspects of medicine safely due to a disability to receive a limited license if the applicant pays the license fee and signs an agreement agreeing to limit his or her practice in the manner prescribed by the reviewing physician and agreed to by the board. The bill would make any person who knowingly provides false information in this agreement subject to any sanctions available to the board. The bill would authorize the board to require the applicant to obtain an independent clinical evaluation of his or her ability to practice medicine safely as a condition of receiving the limited license. Under existing law, licensees of the board are required to pay licensure fees, including an initial licensing fee of $790 and a biennial renewal fee of $790. Existing law authorizes the board to increase those fees in certain circumstances and states the intent of the Legislature that, in setting these fees, the board seek to maintain a reserve in the Contingent Fund of the Medical Board equal to 2 months' operating expenditures. This bill would require those fees to be fixed by the board at a maximum of $790, while retaining the authority of the board to raise those fees in certain circumstances. The bill would state the intent of the Legislature that, in setting those fees, the board seek to maintain a reserve in the Contingent Fund of the Medical Board in an amount not less than 2 nor more than 4 months' operating expenditures. The bill would also require the Office of State Audits and Evaluations within the Department of Finance to commence a preliminary review of the board's financial status by January 1, 2012, and to make the results of that review available upon request by June 1, 2012, as specified.

Bill Text

• Chaptered 10/11/09 - Chaptered Current pdf October 11, 2009
• Enrolled 08/25/09 - Enrolled pdf August 25, 2009
• Amended 07/13/09 - Amended Senate pdf July 13, 2009
• Amended 05/26/09 - Amended Assembly pdf May 26, 2009
• Amended 04/13/09 - Amended Assembly pdf April 13, 2009
• Introduced 02/24/09 - Introduced pdf February 24, 2009
• AB501 View text html

Action History

1. October 11, 2009

   Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 400, Statutes of 2009.

2. October 11, 2009

   Approved by the Governor.

3. September 25, 2009

   Enrolled and to the Governor at 5 p.m.

4. September 08, 2009

   Returned by the Governor at the request of the Assembly.

5. August 27, 2009

   Enrolled and to the Governor at 3:15 p.m.

6. August 20, 2009

   Senate amendments concurred in. To enrollment. (Ayes 78. Noes 0. Page 2657.)

7. August 17, 2009

   In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending. May be considered on or after August 19 pursuant to Assembly Rule 77.

8. August 17, 2009

   Read third time, passed, and to Assembly. (Ayes 35. Noes 0. Page 1842.)

9. July 15, 2009

   Ordered to Special Consent Calendar.

10. July 14, 2009

    Read second time. To third reading.

11. July 13, 2009

    Read third time, amended. To second reading.

12. July 13, 2009

    Ordered to third reading.

13. July 09, 2009

    Ordered to Special Consent Calendar.

14. July 07, 2009

    Read second time. To third reading.

15. July 06, 2009

    From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 11. Noes 0.) (July 6).

16. June 29, 2009

    From committee: Do pass, and re-refer to Com. on APPR. Re-referred. (Ayes 10. Noes 0.) (June 29).

17. June 11, 2009

    Referred to Com. on B., P. & E.D.

18. May 28, 2009

    In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.

19. May 28, 2009

    Read third time, passed, and to Senate. (Ayes 80. Noes 0. Page 1725.)

20. May 26, 2009

    Read third time, amended, and returned to third reading. (Page 1666.).

21. May 11, 2009

    Read second time. To third reading.

22. May 07, 2009

    From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 16. Noes 0.) (May 6).

23. April 22, 2009

    From committee: Do pass, and re-refer to Com. on APPR. Re-referred. (Ayes 11. Noes 0.) (April 21).

24. April 15, 2009

    Re-referred to Com. on B. & P.

25. April 13, 2009

    From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on B. & P. Read second time and amended.

26. March 31, 2009

    In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.

27. March 12, 2009

    Referred to Com. on B. & P.

28. February 25, 2009

    From printer. May be heard in committee March 27.

29. February 24, 2009

    Read first time. To print.

Sponsors

• Emmerson · Primary

Votes

Subjects