HB2660

THE CONTEXT: To practice or perform a regulated health occupation or profession or use certain health occupational or professional titles in Arizona, a person must meet certain qualifications and apply to the designated regulatory entity for the license, certificate or authorization. Licensing, enforcement and disciplinary actions vary across the health professions and occupations (A.

WHAT THE BILL DID: Prescribes procedures for a health care profession regulatory board (health board) when making a licensing decision that is detrimental to a health professional's continued practice.

WHY IT MATTERED: The practical reason for this bill was to give patients a defined set of rights and a clear informed-consent standard. It would require a health professional, if the health board makes a licensing decision that is detrimental to a health professional's continued practice and the health professional has been charged with a crime to stop practicing immediately until the health professional is acquitted or convicted, and would also require a health board's action against a license to be automatically stayed pending the final disposition of any appeal if the health board makes a licensing decision that is detrimental to a health professional's continued practice and the health professional has not been charged with a crime, rather than leave the current rule unchanged.