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2004 SESSION


CHAPTER 64
An Act to amend and reenact §§ 32.1-125.01, 32.1-127.1:03, 54.1-2400, 54.1-2505, 54.1-2506.01, 54.1-2706, 54.1-2709.2, 54.1-2910.1, 54.1-2915 and 54.1-3480 of the Code of Virginia, to amend the Code of Virginia by adding sections numbered 54.1-2400.6, 54.1-2400.7 and 54.1-2400.8, and to repeal §§ 54.1-2906, 54.1-2907, 54.1-2919, 54.1-3009, 54.1-3010, 54.1-3216 and 54.1-3615 of the Code of Virginia, relating to disciplinary proceedings by health regulatory boards.
[H 577]
Approved March 10, 2004

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That §§ 32.1-125.01, 32.1-127.1:03, 54.1-2400, 54.1-2505, 54.1-2506.01, 54.1-2706, 54.1-2709.2, 54.1-2910.1, 54.1-2915 and 54.1-3480 of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted, and that the Code of Virginia is amended by adding sections numbered 54.1-2400.6, 54.1-2400.7 and 54.1-2400.8 as follows:

§ 32.1-125.01. Failing to report; penalty.

Any hospital or nursing home that has not paid civil penalties assessed for failing to report pursuant to § 54.1-2906 54.1-2400.6 shall not be issued a license or certification or a renewal of such.

§ 32.1-127.1:03. Patient health records privacy.

A. There is hereby recognized a patient's right of privacy in the content of a patient's medical record. Patient records are the property of the provider maintaining them, and, except when permitted by this section or by another provision of state or federal law, no provider, or other person working in a health care setting, may disclose the records of a patient.

Patient records shall not be removed from the premises where they are maintained without the approval of the provider, except in accordance with a court order or subpoena consistent with § 8.01-413 C or with this section or in accordance with the regulations relating to change of ownership of patient records promulgated by a health regulatory board established in Title 54.1.

No person to whom disclosure of patient records was made by a patient or a provider shall redisclose or otherwise reveal the records of a patient, beyond the purpose for which such disclosure was made, without first obtaining the patient's specific consent to such redisclosure. This redisclosure prohibition shall not, however, prevent (i) any provider who receives records from another provider from making subsequent disclosures as permitted under this section and the federal Department of Health and Human Services regulations relating to the electronic transmission of data and patient privacy promulgated as required by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (42 U.S.C. § 1320d et seq.) or (ii) any provider from furnishing records and aggregate or other data, from which patient-identifying prescription information has been removed, encoded or encrypted, to qualified researchers, including, but not limited to, pharmaceutical manufacturers and their agents or contractors, for purposes of clinical, pharmaco-epidemiological, pharmaco-economic, or other health services research.

B. As used in this section:

"Agent" means a person who has been appointed as a patient's agent under a power of attorney for health care or an advance directive under the Health Care Decisions Act (§ 54.1-2981 et seq.).

"Certification" means a written representation that is delivered by hand, by first-class mail, by overnight delivery service, or by facsimile if the sender obtains a facsimile-machine-generated confirmation reflecting that all facsimile pages were successfully transmitted.

"Guardian" means a court-appointed guardian of the person.

"Health services" includes, but is not limited to, examination, diagnosis, evaluation, treatment, pharmaceuticals, aftercare, habilitation or rehabilitation and mental health therapy of any kind.

"Parent" means a biological, adoptive or foster parent.

"Patient" means a person who is receiving or has received health services from a provider.

"Patient-identifying prescription information" means all prescriptions, drug orders or any other prescription information that specifically identifies an individual patient.

"Provider" shall have the same meaning as set forth in the definition of "health care provider" in § 8.01-581.1, except that state-operated facilities shall also be considered providers for the purposes of this section. Provider shall also include all persons who are licensed, certified, registered or permitted by any of the health regulatory boards within the Department of Health Professions, except persons regulated by the Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers or the Board of Veterinary Medicine.

"Record" means any written, printed or electronically recorded material maintained by a provider in the course of providing health services to a patient concerning the patient and the services provided. "Record" also includes the substance of any communication made by a patient to a provider in confidence during or in connection with the provision of health services to a patient or information otherwise acquired by the provider about a patient in confidence and in connection with the provision of health services to the patient.

C. The provisions of this section shall not apply to any of the following:

1. The status of and release of information governed by §§ 65.2-604 and 65.2-607 of the Virginia Workers' Compensation Act;

2. Except where specifically provided herein, the records of minor patients; or

3. The release of juvenile records to a secure facility or a shelter care facility pursuant to § 16.1-248.3.

D. Providers may disclose the records of a patient:

1. As set forth in subsection E of this section, pursuant to the written consent of the patient or in the case of a minor patient, his custodial parent, guardian or other person authorized to consent to treatment of minors pursuant to § 54.1-2969; also, in emergency cases or situations where it is impractical to obtain the patient's written consent, pursuant to the patient's oral consent for a provider to discuss the patient's records with a third party specified by the patient;

2. In compliance with a subpoena issued in accord with subsection H of this section, pursuant to court order upon good cause shown or in compliance with a subpoena issued pursuant to subsection C of § 8.01-413;

3. In accord with subsection F of § 8.01-399 including, but not limited to, situations where disclosure is reasonably necessary to establish or collect a fee or to defend a provider or the provider's employees or staff against any accusation of wrongful conduct; also as required in the course of an investigation, audit, review or proceedings regarding a provider's conduct by a duly authorized law-enforcement, licensure, accreditation, or professional review entity;

4. In testimony in accordance with §§ 8.01-399 and 8.01-400.2;

5. In compliance with the provisions of § 8.01-413;

6. As required or authorized by law relating to public health activities, health oversight activities, serious threats to health or safety, or abuse, neglect or domestic violence, relating to contagious disease, public safety, and suspected child or adult abuse reporting requirements, including, but not limited to, those contained in §§ 32.1-36, 32.1-36.1, 32.1-40, 32.1-41, 32.1-127.1:04, 32.1-276.5, 32.1-283, 32.1-283.1, 37.1-98.2, 53.1-40.10, 54.1-2400.6, 54.1-2400.7, 54.1-2403.3, 54.1-2506, 54.1-2906, 54.1-2907, 54.1-2966, 54.1-2966.1, 54.1-2967, 54.1-2968, 63.2-1509 and 63.2-1606;

7. Where necessary in connection with the care of the patient, including in the implementation of a hospital routine contact process;

8. In the normal course of business in accordance with accepted standards of practice within the health services setting; however, the maintenance, storage, and disclosure of the mass of prescription dispensing records maintained in a pharmacy registered or permitted in Virginia shall only be accomplished in compliance with §§ 54.1-3410, 54.1-3411 and 54.1-3412;

9. When the patient has waived his right to the privacy of the medical records;

10. When examination and evaluation of a patient are undertaken pursuant to judicial or administrative law order, but only to the extent as required by such order;

11. To the guardian ad litem in the course of a guardianship proceeding of an adult patient authorized under Article 1.1 (§ 37.1-134.6 et seq.) of Chapter 4 of Title 37.1;

12. To the attorney appointed by the court to represent a patient in a civil commitment proceeding under § 37.1-67.3;

13. To the attorney and/or guardian ad litem of a minor patient who represents such minor in any judicial or administrative proceeding, provided that the court or administrative hearing officer has entered an order granting the attorney or guardian ad litem this right and such attorney or guardian ad litem presents evidence to the provider of such order;

14. With regard to the Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program, a minor's records in accord with § 9.1-156;

15. To an agent appointed under a patient's power of attorney or to an agent or decision maker designated in a patient's advance directive for health care or for decisions on anatomical gifts and organ, tissue or eye donation or to any other person consistent with the provisions of the Health Care Decisions Act (§ 54.1-2981 et seq.);

16. To third-party payors and their agents for purposes of reimbursement;

17. As is necessary to support an application for receipt of health care benefits from a governmental agency or as required by an authorized governmental agency reviewing such application or reviewing benefits already provided or as necessary to the coordination of prevention and control of disease, injury, or disability and delivery of such health care benefits pursuant to § 32.1-127.1:04;

18. Upon the sale of a medical practice as provided in § 54.1-2405; or upon a change of ownership or closing of a pharmacy pursuant to regulations of the Board of Pharmacy;

19. In accord with § 54.1-2400.1 B, to communicate a patient's specific and immediate threat to cause serious bodily injury or death of an identified or readily identifiable person;

20. To the patient, except as provided in subsections E and F of this section and subsection B of § 8.01-413;

21. In the case of substance abuse records, when permitted by and in conformity with requirements of federal law found in 42 U.S.C. § 290dd-2 and 42 C.F.R. Part 2;

22. In connection with the work of any entity established as set forth in § 8.01-581.16 to evaluate the adequacy or quality of professional services or the competency and qualifications for professional staff privileges;

23. If the records are those of a deceased or mentally incapacitated patient to the personal representative or executor of the deceased patient or the legal guardian or committee of the incompetent or incapacitated patient or if there is no personal representative, executor, legal guardian or committee appointed, to the following persons in the following order of priority: a spouse, an adult son or daughter, either parent, an adult brother or sister, or any other relative of the deceased patient in order of blood relationship;

24. For the purpose of conducting record reviews of inpatient hospital deaths to promote identification of all potential organ, eye, and tissue donors in conformance with the requirements of applicable federal law and regulations, including 42 C.F.R. § 482.45, (i) to the provider's designated organ procurement organization certified by the United States Health Care Financing Administration and (ii) to any eye bank or tissue bank in Virginia certified by the Eye Bank Association of America or the American Association of Tissue Banks;

25. To the Office of the Inspector General for Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services pursuant to Chapter 16 (§ 37.1-255 et seq.) of Title 37.1;

26. (Expires July 1, 2006) To an entity participating in the activities of a local health partnership authority established pursuant to Article 6.1 (§ 32.1-122.10:001 et seq.) of Chapter 4 of Title 32.1, pursuant to subdivision D 1 of this section; and

27. To law-enforcement officials by each licensed emergency medical services agency, (i) when the patient is the victim of a crime or (ii) when the patient has been arrested and has received emergency medical services or has refused emergency medical services and the records consist of the prehospital patient care report required by § 32.1-116.1.

E. Requests for copies of medical records shall (i) be in writing, dated and signed by the requester; (ii) identify the nature of the information requested; and (iii) include evidence of the authority of the requester to receive such copies and identification of the person to whom the information is to be disclosed. The provider shall accept a photocopy, facsimile, or other copy of the original signed by the requestor as if it were an original. Within 15 days of receipt of a request for copies of medical records, the provider shall do one of the following: (i) furnish such copies to any requester authorized to receive them; (ii) inform the requester if the information does not exist or cannot be found; (iii) if the provider does not maintain a record of the information, so inform the requester and provide the name and address, if known, of the provider who maintains the record; or (iv) deny the request (a) under subsection F, (b) on the grounds that the requester has not established his authority to receive such records or proof of his identity, or (c) as otherwise provided by law. Procedures set forth in this section shall apply only to requests for records not specifically governed by other provisions of this Code, federal law or state or federal regulation.

F. Except as provided in subsection B of § 8.01-413, copies of a patient's records shall not be furnished to such patient or anyone authorized to act on the patient's behalf where the patient's attending physician or the patient's clinical psychologist has made a part of the patient's record a written statement that, in his opinion, the furnishing to or review by the patient of such records would be injurious to the patient's health or well-being. If any custodian of medical records denies a request for copies of records based on such statement, the custodian shall permit examination and copying of the medical record by another such physician or clinical psychologist selected by the patient, whose licensure, training and experience relative to the patient's condition are at least equivalent to that of the physician or clinical psychologist upon whose opinion the denial is based. The person or entity denying the request shall inform the patient of the patient's right to select another reviewing physician or clinical psychologist under this subsection who shall make a judgment as to whether to make the record available to the patient. Any record copied for review by the physician or clinical psychologist selected by the patient shall be accompanied by a statement from the custodian of the record that the patient's attending physician or clinical psychologist determined that the patient's review of his record would be injurious to the patient's health or well-being.

G. A written consent to allow release of patient records may, but need not, be in the following form:

CONSENT TO RELEASE OF CONFIDENTIAL HEALTH CARE

INFORMATION

Patient Name................................................................
Provider Name...............................................................
Person, agency or provider to whom disclosure is to be made.................
Person, agency or provider to whom disclosure is to be made.................
Information or Records to be disclosed .....................................

As the person signing this consent, I understand that I am giving my permission to the above-named provider or other named third party for disclosure of confidential health care records. I also understand that I have the right to revoke this consent, but that my revocation is not effective until delivered in writing to the person who is in possession of my records. A copy of this consent and a notation concerning the persons or agencies to whom disclosure was made shall be included with my original records. The person who receives the records to which this consent pertains may not redisclose them to anyone else without my separate written consent unless such recipient is a provider who makes a disclosure permitted by law.

This consent expires on (date) ....................................

Signature of Patient.......................................................

H. Pursuant to this subsection:

1. Unless excepted from these provisions in subdivision 9, no party to a civil, criminal or administrative action or proceeding shall request the issuance of a subpoena duces tecum for another party's medical records or cause a subpoena duces tecum to be issued by an attorney unless a copy of the request for the subpoena or a copy of the attorney-issued subpoena is provided to the other party's counsel or to the other party if pro se, simultaneously with filing the request or issuance of the subpoena. No party to an action or proceeding shall request or cause the issuance of a subpoena duces tecum for the medical records of a nonparty witness unless a copy of the request for the subpoena or a copy of the attorney-issued subpoena is provided to the nonparty witness simultaneously with filing the request or issuance of the attorney-issued subpoena.

No subpoena duces tecum for medical records shall set a return date earlier than 15 days from the date of the subpoena except by order of a court or administrative agency for good cause shown. When a court or administrative agency directs that medical records be disclosed pursuant to a subpoena duces tecum earlier than 15 days from the date of the subpoena, a copy of the order shall accompany the subpoena.

Any party requesting a subpoena duces tecum for medical records or on whose behalf the subpoena duces tecum is being issued shall have the duty to determine whether the patient whose records are being sought is pro se or a nonparty.

In instances where medical records being subpoenaed are those of a pro se party or nonparty witness, the party requesting or issuing the subpoena shall deliver to the pro se party or nonparty witness together with the copy of the request for subpoena, or a copy of the subpoena in the case of an attorney-issued subpoena, a statement informing them of their rights and remedies. The statement shall include the following language and the heading shall be in boldface capital letters:

NOTICE TO PATIENT

The attached document means that (insert name of party requesting or causing issuance of the subpoena) has either asked the court or administrative agency to issue a subpoena or a subpoena has been issued by the other party's attorney to your doctor or other health care providers (names of health care providers inserted here) requiring them to produce your medical records. Your doctor or other health care provider is required to respond by providing a copy of your medical records. If you believe your records should not be disclosed and object to their disclosure, you have the right to file a motion with the clerk of the court or the administrative agency to quash the subpoena. If you elect to file a motion to quash, such motion must be filed within 15 days of the date of the request or of the attorney-issued subpoena. You may contact the clerk's office or the administrative agency to determine the requirements that must be satisfied when filing a motion to quash and you may elect to contact an attorney to represent your interest. If you elect to file a motion to quash, you must notify your doctor or other health care provider(s) that you are filing the motion so that the provider knows to send the records to the clerk of court or administrative agency in a sealed envelope or package for safekeeping while your motion is decided.

2. Any party filing a request for a subpoena duces tecum or causing such a subpoena to be issued for a patient's medical records shall include a Notice to Providers in the same part of the request in which the provider is directed where and when to return the records. Such notice shall be in boldface capital letters and shall include the following language:

NOTICE TO PROVIDERS

A COPY OF THIS SUBPOENA DUCES TECUM HAS BEEN PROVIDED TO YOUR PATIENT OR YOUR PATIENT'S COUNSEL. YOU OR YOUR PATIENT HAVE THE RIGHT TO FILE A MOTION TO QUASH (OBJECT TO) THE ATTACHED SUBPOENA. IF YOU ELECT TO FILE A MOTION TO QUASH, YOU MUST FILE THE MOTION WITHIN 15 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS SUBPOENA.

YOU MUST NOT RESPOND TO THIS SUBPOENA UNTIL YOU HAVE RECEIVED WRITTEN CERTIFICATION FROM THE PARTY ON WHOSE BEHALF THE SUBPOENA WAS ISSUED THAT THE TIME FOR FILING A MOTION TO QUASH HAS ELAPSED AND THAT:

NO MOTION TO QUASH WAS FILED; OR

ANY MOTION TO QUASH HAS BEEN RESOLVED BY THE COURT OR THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY AND THE DISCLOSURES SOUGHT ARE CONSISTENT WITH SUCH RESOLUTION.

IF YOU RECEIVE NOTICE THAT YOUR PATIENT HAS FILED A MOTION TO QUASH THIS SUBPOENA, OR IF YOU FILE A MOTION TO QUASH THIS SUBPOENA, YOU MUST SEND THE RECORDS ONLY TO THE CLERK OF THE COURT OR ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY THAT ISSUED THE SUBPOENA OR IN WHICH THE ACTION IS PENDING AS SHOWN ON THE SUBPOENA USING THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURE:

PLACE THE RECORDS IN A SEALED ENVELOPE AND ATTACH TO THE SEALED ENVELOPE A COVER LETTER TO THE CLERK OF COURT OR ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY WHICH STATES THAT CONFIDENTIAL HEALTH CARE RECORDS ARE ENCLOSED AND ARE TO BE HELD UNDER SEAL PENDING A RULING ON THE MOTION TO QUASH THE SUBPOENA. THE SEALED ENVELOPE AND THE COVER LETTER SHALL BE PLACED IN AN OUTER ENVELOPE OR PACKAGE FOR TRANSMITTAL TO THE COURT OR ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY.

3. Upon receiving a valid subpoena duces tecum for medical records, health care providers shall have the duty to respond to the subpoena in accordance with the provisions of subdivisions 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8.

4. Except to deliver to a clerk of the court or administrative agency subpoenaed medical records in a sealed envelope as set forth, health care providers shall not respond to a subpoena duces tecum for such medical records until they have received a certification as set forth in subdivisions 5 or 8 of this subsection from the party on whose behalf the subpoena duces tecum was issued.

If the health care provider has actual receipt of notice that a motion to quash the subpoena has been filed or if the health care provider files a motion to quash the subpoena for medical records, then the health care provider shall produce the records, in a securely sealed envelope, to the clerk of the court or administrative agency issuing the subpoena or in whose court or administrative agency the action is pending. The court or administrative agency shall place the records under seal until a determination is made regarding the motion to quash. The securely sealed envelope shall only be opened on order of the judge or administrative agency. In the event the court or administrative agency grants the motion to quash, the records shall be returned to the health care provider in the same sealed envelope in which they were delivered to the court or administrative agency. In the event that a judge or administrative agency orders the sealed envelope to be opened to review the records in camera, a copy of the order shall accompany any records returned to the provider. The records returned to the provider shall be in a securely sealed envelope.

5. If no motion to quash is filed within 15 days of the date of the request or of the attorney-issued subpoena, the party on whose behalf the subpoena was issued shall have the duty to certify to the subpoenaed health care provider that the time for filing a motion to quash has elapsed and that no motion to quash was filed. Any provider receiving such certification shall have the duty to comply with the subpoena duces tecum by returning the specified medical records by either the return date on the subpoena or 5 days after receipt of the certification, whichever is later.

6. In the event that the individual whose records are being sought files a motion to quash the subpoena, the court or administrative agency shall decide whether good cause has been shown by the discovering party to compel disclosure of the patient's private records over the patient's objections. In determining whether good cause has been shown, the court or administrative agency shall consider (i) the particular purpose for which the information was collected; (ii) the degree to which the disclosure of the records would embarrass, injure, or invade the privacy of the individual; (iii) the effect of the disclosure on the individual's future health care; (iv) the importance of the information to the lawsuit or proceeding; and (v) any other relevant factor.

7. Concurrent with the court or administrative agency's resolution of a motion to quash, if subpoenaed medical records have been submitted by a health care provider to the court or administrative agency in a sealed envelope, the court or administrative agency shall: (i) upon determining that no submitted medical records should be disclosed, return all submitted medical records to the provider in a sealed envelope; (ii) upon determining that all submitted medical records should be disclosed, provide all the submitted medical records to the party on whose behalf the subpoena was issued; or (iii) upon determining that only a portion of the submitted medical records should be disclosed, provide such portion to the party on whose behalf the subpoena was issued and return the remaining medical records to the provider in a sealed envelope.

8. Following the court or administrative agency's resolution of a motion to quash, the party on whose behalf the subpoena duces tecum was issued shall have the duty to certify in writing to the subpoenaed health care provider a statement of one of the following:

a. All filed motions to quash have been resolved by the court or administrative agency and the disclosures sought in the subpoena duces tecum are consistent with such resolution; and, therefore, the medical records previously delivered in a sealed envelope to the clerk of the court or administrative agency will not be returned to the provider;

b. All filed motions to quash have been resolved by the court or administrative agency and the disclosures sought in the subpoena duces tecum are consistent with such resolution and that, since no medical records have previously been delivered to the court or administrative agency by the provider, the provider shall comply with the subpoena duces tecum by returning the medical records designated in the subpoena by the return date on the subpoena or five days after receipt of certification, whichever is later;

c. All filed motions to quash have been resolved by the court or administrative agency and the disclosures sought in the subpoena duces tecum are not consistent with such resolution; therefore, no medical records shall be disclosed and all medical records previously delivered in a sealed envelope to the clerk of the court or administrative agency will be returned to the provider;

d. All filed motions to quash have been resolved by the court or administrative agency and the disclosures sought in the subpoena duces tecum are not consistent with such resolution and that only limited disclosure has been authorized. The certification shall state that only the portion of the records as set forth in the certification, consistent with the court or administrative agency's ruling, shall be disclosed. The certification shall also state that medical records that were previously delivered to the court or administrative agency for which disclosure has been authorized will not be returned to the provider; however, all medical records for which disclosure has not been authorized will be returned to the provider; or

e. All filed motions to quash have been resolved by the court or administrative agency and the disclosures sought in the subpoena duces tecum are not consistent with such resolution and, since no medical records have previously been delivered to the court or administrative agency by the provider, the provider shall return only those records specified in the certification, consistent with the court or administrative agency's ruling, by the return date on the subpoena or five days after receipt of the certification, whichever is later.

A copy of the court or administrative agency's ruling shall accompany any certification made pursuant to this subdivision.

9. The provisions of this subsection have no application to subpoenas for medical records requested under § 8.01-413, or issued by a duly authorized administrative agency conducting an investigation, audit, review or proceedings regarding a provider's conduct.

The provisions of this subsection apply to the medical records of both minors and adults.

Nothing in this subsection shall have any effect on the existing authority of a court or administrative agency to issue a protective order regarding medical records, including, but not limited to, ordering the return of medical records to a health care provider, after the period for filing a motion to quash has passed.

A subpoena for substance abuse records must conform to the requirements of federal law found in 42 C.F.R. Part 2, Subpart E.

I. Providers may testify about the medical records of a patient in compliance with §§ 8.01-399 and 8.01-400.2.

§ 54.1-2400. General powers and duties of health regulatory boards.

The general powers and duties of health regulatory boards shall be:

1. To establish the qualifications for registration, certification or licensure in accordance with the applicable law which are necessary to ensure competence and integrity to engage in the regulated professions.

2. To examine or cause to be examined applicants for certification or licensure. Unless otherwise required by law, examinations shall be administered in writing or shall be a demonstration of manual skills.

3. To register, certify or license qualified applicants as practitioners of the particular profession or professions regulated by such board.

4. To establish schedules for renewals of registration, certification and licensure.

5. To levy and collect fees for application processing, examination, registration, certification or licensure and renewal that are sufficient to cover all expenses for the administration and operation of the Department of Health Professions, the Board of Health Professions and the health regulatory boards.

6. To promulgate regulations in accordance with the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.) which are reasonable and necessary to administer effectively the regulatory system. Such regulations shall not conflict with the purposes and intent of this chapter or of Chapter 1 (§ 54.1-100 et seq.) and Chapter 25 (§ 54.1-2500 et seq.) of this title.

7. To revoke, suspend, restrict, or refuse to issue or renew a registration, certificate or license which such board has authority to issue for causes enumerated in applicable law and regulations.

8. To appoint designees from their membership or immediate staff to coordinate with the Intervention Program Committee and to implement, as is necessary, the provisions of Chapter 25.1 (§ 54.1-2515 et seq.) of this title. Each health regulatory board shall appoint one such designee.

9. To take appropriate disciplinary action for violations of applicable law and regulations.

10. To appoint a special conference committee, composed of not less than two members of a health regulatory board or, when required for special conference committees of the Board of Medicine, not less than two members of the Board and one member of the relevant advisory board, to act in accordance with § 2.2-4019 upon receipt of information that a practitioner of the appropriate board may be subject to disciplinary action. The special conference committee may (i) exonerate the practitioner; (ii) reinstate the practitioner; (iii) place the practitioner on probation with such terms as it may deem appropriate; (iv) reprimand the practitioner; (v) modify a previous order; and (vi) impose a monetary penalty pursuant to § 54.1-2401. The order of the special conference committee shall become final 30 days after service of the order unless a written request to the board for a hearing is received within such time. If service of the decision to a party is accomplished by mail, three days shall be added to the 30-day period. Upon receiving a timely written request for a hearing, the board or a panel of the board shall then proceed with a hearing as provided in § 2.2-4020, and the action of the committee shall be vacated. This subdivision shall not be construed to affect the authority or procedures of the Boards of Medicine and Nursing pursuant to §§ 54.1-2919 and 54.1-3010 limit the authority of a board to delegate to an appropriately qualified agency subordinate, as defined in § 2.2-4001, the authority to conduct informal fact-finding proceedings in accordance with § 2.2-4019, upon receipt of information that a practitioner may be subject to a disciplinary action. Criteria for the appointment of an agency subordinate shall be set forth in regulations adopted by the board.

11. To convene, at their discretion, a panel consisting of at least five board members or, if a quorum of the board is less than five members, consisting of a quorum of the members to conduct formal proceedings pursuant to § 2.2-4020, decide the case, and issue a final agency case decision. Any decision rendered by majority vote of such panel shall have the same effect as if made by the full board and shall be subject to court review in accordance with the Administrative Process Act. No member who participates in an informal proceeding conducted in accordance with § 2.2-4019 shall serve on a panel conducting formal proceedings pursuant to § 2.2-4020 to consider the same matter.

12. To issue inactive licenses or certificates and promulgate regulations to carry out such purpose. Such regulations shall include, but not be limited to, the qualifications, renewal fees, and conditions for reactivation of licenses or certificates.

13. To meet by telephone conference call to consider settlement proposals in matters pending before special conference committees convened pursuant to this section, § 54.1-2919 or § 54.1-3010 or matters referred for formal proceedings pursuant to § 2.2-4020 to a health regulatory board or a panel of the board or to consider modifications of previously issued board orders when such considerations have been requested by either of the parties.

14. To request and accept from a certified, registered or licensed practitioner, in lieu of disciplinary action, a confidential consent agreement. A confidential consent agreement shall be subject to the confidentiality provisions of § 54.1-2400.2 and shall not be disclosed by a practitioner. A confidential consent agreement shall include findings of fact and may include an admission or a finding of a violation. A confidential consent agreement shall not be considered either a notice or order of any health regulatory board, but it may be considered by a board in future disciplinary proceedings. A confidential consent agreement shall be entered into only in cases involving minor misconduct where there is little or no injury to a patient or the public and little likelihood of repetition by the practitioner. A board shall not enter into a confidential consent agreement if there is probable cause to believe the practitioner has (i) demonstrated gross negligence or intentional misconduct in the care of patients or (ii) conducted his practice in such a manner as to be a danger to the health and welfare of his patients or the public. A certified, registered or licensed practitioner who has entered into two confidential consent agreements involving a standard of care violation, within the 10-year period immediately preceding a board's receipt of the most recent report or complaint being considered, shall receive public discipline for any subsequent violation within the 10-year period unless the board finds there are sufficient facts and circumstances to rebut the presumption that the disciplinary action be made public.

15. When a board has probable cause to believe a practitioner is unable to practice with reasonable skill and safety to patients because of excessive use of alcohol or drugs or physical or mental illness, the board, after preliminary investigation by an informal fact-finding proceeding, may direct that the practitioner submit to a mental or physical examination. Failure to submit to the examination shall constitute grounds for disciplinary action. Any practitioner affected by this subsection shall be afforded reasonable opportunity to demonstrate that he is competent to practice with reasonable skill and safety to patients. For the purposes of this subdivision, “practitioner” shall include any person holding a multistate licensure privilege to practice nursing.

§ 54.1-2400.6. Hospitals and other health care institutions required to report disciplinary actions against and certain disorders of health professionals; immunity from liability; failure to report.

A. The chief executive officer and the chief of staff of every hospital or other health care institution in the Commonwealth shall report within 30 days, except as provided in subsection B, to the Director of the Department of Health Professions the following information regarding any person (i) licensed, certified, or registered by a health regulatory board or (ii) holding a multistate licensure privilege to practice nursing or an applicant for licensure, certification or registration unless exempted under subsection E:

1. Any information of which he may become aware in his official capacity indicating that such a health professional is in need of treatment or has been committed or admitted as a patient, either at his institution or any other health care institution, for treatment of substance abuse or a psychiatric illness that may render the health professional a danger to himself, the public or his patients.

2. Any information of which he may become aware in his official capacity indicating, after reasonable investigation and consultation as needed with the appropriate internal boards or committees authorized to impose disciplinary action on a health professional, that there is a reasonable probability that such health professional may have engaged in unethical, fraudulent or unprofessional conduct as defined by the pertinent licensing statutes and regulations. The report required under this section shall be submitted within 30 days of the date that the chief executive officer or chief of staff determines that a reasonable probability exists.

3. Any disciplinary proceeding begun by the institution as a result of conduct involving (i) intentional or negligent conduct that causes or is likely to cause injury to a patient or patients, (ii) professional ethics, (iii) professional incompetence, (iv) moral turpitude, or (v) substance abuse. The report required under this section shall be submitted within 30 days of the date of written communication to the health professional notifying him of the initiation of a disciplinary proceeding.

4. Any disciplinary action taken during or at the conclusion of disciplinary proceedings or while under investigation, including but not limited to denial or termination of employment, denial or termination of privileges or restriction of privileges that results from conduct involving (i) intentional or negligent conduct that causes or is likely to cause injury to a patient or patients, (ii) professional ethics, (iii) professional incompetence, (iv) moral turpitude, or (v) substance abuse. The report required under this section shall be submitted within 30 days of the date of written communication to the health professional notifying him of any disciplinary action.

5. The voluntary resignation from the staff of the health care institution or voluntary restriction or expiration of privileges at the institution of any health professional while such health professional is under investigation or is the subject of disciplinary proceedings taken or begun by the institution or a committee thereof for any reason related to possible intentional or negligent conduct that causes or is likely to cause injury to a patient or patients, medical incompetence, unprofessional conduct, moral turpitude, mental or physical impairment, or substance abuse.

Any report required by this section shall be in writing directed to the Director of the Department of Health Professions, shall give the name and address of the person who is the subject of the report and shall fully describe the circumstances surrounding the facts required to be reported. The report shall include the names and contact information of individuals with knowledge about the facts required to be reported and the names and contact information of individuals from whom the hospital or health care institution sought information to substantiate the facts required to be reported. All relevant medical records shall be attached to the report if patient care or the health professional's health status is at issue. The reporting hospital or health care institution shall also provide notice to the Department that it has submitted a report to the National Practitioner Data Bank under the Health Care Quality Improvement Act (42 U.S.C. § 11101 et seq.). The reporting hospital or health care institution shall give the health professional who is the subject of the report an opportunity to review the report. The health professional may submit a separate report if he disagrees with the substance of the report.

This section shall not be construed to require the hospital or health care institution to submit any proceedings, minutes, records or reports that are privileged under § 8.01-581.17, except that the provisions of § 8.01-581.17 shall not bar (i) any report required by this section or (ii) any requested medical records that are necessary to investigate unprofessional conduct reported pursuant to this subtitle or unprofessional conduct that should have been reported pursuant to this subtitle. Under no circumstances shall compliance with this section be construed to waive or limit the privilege provided in § 8.01-581.17. No person or entity shall be obligated to report any matter to the Department if the person or entity has actual notice that the same matter has already been reported to the Department.

B. Any report required by this section concerning the commitment or admission of such health professional as a patient shall be made within five days of when the chief administrative officer learns of such commitment or admission.

C. The State Health Commissioner or the Commissioner of the Department of Social Services shall report to the Department any information of which their agencies may become aware in the course of their duties that a health professional may be guilty of fraudulent, unethical or unprofessional conduct as defined by the pertinent licensing statutes and regulations.

D. Any person making a report by this section, providing information pursuant to an investigation or testifying in a judicial or administrative proceeding as a result of such report shall be immune from any civil liability alleged to have resulted therefrom unless such person acted in bad faith or with malicious intent.

E. Medical records or information learned or maintained in connection with an alcohol or drug prevention function that is conducted, regulated, or directly or indirectly assisted by any department or agency of the United States shall be exempt from the reporting requirements of this section to the extent that such reporting is in violation of 42 U.S.C. § 290dd-2 or regulations adopted thereunder.

F. Any person who fails to make a report to the Department as required by this section shall be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $25,000 assessed by the Director. The Director shall report the assessment of such civil penalty to the Commissioner of the Department of Health. Any person assessed a civil penalty pursuant to this section shall not receive a license or certification or renewal of such unless such penalty has been paid pursuant to § 32.1-125.01. The Medical College of Virginia Hospitals and the University of Virginia Hospitals shall not receive certification pursuant to § 32.1-137 or Article 1.1 (§ 32.1-102.1 et seq.) of Chapter 4 of Title 32.1 unless such penalty has been paid.

§ 54.1-2400.7. Practitioners treating other practitioners for certain disorders to make reports; immunity from liability.

A. Every practitioner in the Commonwealth who is licensed or certified by a health regulatory board or who holds a multistate licensure privilege to practice nursing who treats professionally any person licensed or certified by a health regulatory board or who holds a multistate licensure privilege shall report, unless exempted by subsection C hereof, to the Director of the Department of Health Professions whenever any such health professional is treated for mental disorders, chemical dependency or alcoholism, unless the attending practitioner has determined that there is a reasonable probability that the person being treated is competent to continue in practice or would not constitute danger to himself or to the health and welfare of his patients or the public.

B. Any person making a report required by this section or testifying in a judicial or administrative proceeding as a result of such report shall be immune from any civil liability alleged to have resulted therefrom unless such person acted in bad faith or with malicious intent.

C. Medical records or information learned or maintained in connection with an alcohol or drug abuse prevention function that is conducted, regulated, or directly or indirectly assisted by any department or agency of the United States shall be exempt from the reporting requirements of this section to the extent that such reporting is in violation of 42 U.S.C. § 290dd-2 or regulations adopted thereunder.

§ 54.1-2400.8. Immunity for reporting.

In addition to the immunity for reporting as provided by §§ 54.1-2400.6 and 54.1-2400.7, any person making a report regarding the conduct or competency of a health care practitioner as required by law or regulation or providing information pursuant to an investigation or testifying in a judicial or administrative proceeding as a result of such report shall be immune from any civil liability resulting therefrom unless such person acted in bad faith or with malicious intent.

§ 54.1-2505. Powers and duties of Director of Department.

The Director of the Department shall have the following powers and duties:

1. To supervise and manage the Department;

2. To perform or consolidate such administrative services or functions as may assist the operation of the boards;

3. To prepare, approve and submit to the Governor, after consultation with the boards, all requests for appropriations and be responsible for all expenditures pursuant to appropriations;

4. To provide such office facilities as will allow the boards to carry out their duties;

5. To employ personnel as required for the proper performance of the responsibilities of the Department subject to Chapter 29 (§ 2.2-2900 et seq.) of Title 2.2 within the limits of appropriations made by law;

6. To receive all complaints made against regulated health care professionals;

7. To develop administrative policies and procedures governing the receipt and recording of complaints;

8. To monitor the status of actions taken under the auspices of the boards regarding complaints until the closure of each case;

9. To provide investigative and such other services as needed by the boards to enforce their respective statutes and regulations;

10. To provide staff to assist in the performance of the duties of the Board of Health Professions;

11. To collect and account for all fees to be paid into each board and account for and deposit the moneys so collected into a special fund from which the expenses of the regulatory boards, the Health Practitioners' Intervention Program, and the Department and Board of Health Professions shall be paid;

12. To make and enter into all contracts and agreements necessary or incidental to the performance of his duties and the execution of his powers, including, but not limited to, contracts with the United States, other states, agencies and governmental subdivisions of the Commonwealth;

13. To accept grants from the United States government, its agencies and instrumentalities, and any other source. The Director shall have the power to comply with conditions and execute agreements as may be necessary, convenient or desirable;

14. To promulgate and revise regulations necessary for the administration of the Department and such regulations as are necessary for the implementation of the Health Practitioners' Intervention Program pursuant to Chapter 25.1 (§ 54.1-2515 et seq.) of this title and subdivision 19 of this section;

15. To report promptly, after consultation with the presiding officer of the appropriate health regulatory board or his designee, to the Attorney General or the appropriate attorney for the Commonwealth any information the Department obtains which, upon appropriate investigation, indicates, in the judgment of the Director, that a person licensed by any of the health regulatory boards has violated any provision of criminal law, including the laws relating to manufacturing, distributing, dispensing, prescribing or administering drugs other than drugs classified as Schedule VI drugs. When necessary, the Attorney General or the attorney for the Commonwealth shall request that the Department of Health Professions or the Department of State Police conduct any subsequent investigation of such report. Upon request and affidavit from an attorney for the Commonwealth, the Director shall provide documents material to a criminal investigation of a person licensed by a health regulatory board; however, peer review documents shall not be released and shall remain privileged pursuant to § 8.01-581.17. For the purpose of this section, the terms manufacturing, distributing, dispensing, prescribing or administering drugs shall not include minor administrative or clerical errors which do not affect the inventory of drugs required by Chapter 34 (§ 54.1-3400 et seq.) of this title and do not indicate a pattern of criminal behavior;

16. To keep records of the names and qualifications of registered, certified or licensed persons;

17. To exercise other powers and perform other duties required of the Director by the Governor;

18. To issue subpoenas in accordance with the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.) for any informal fact finding or formal proceeding within the jurisdiction of the Department or any regulatory board;

19. To establish, and revise as necessary, a comprehensive health practitioners' intervention program pursuant to Chapter 25.1 (§ 54.1-2515 et seq.) of this title;

20. (For effective date - see Editor's note) To establish, and revise as necessary, with such federal funds, grants, or general funds as may be appropriated or made available for this program, the Prescription Monitoring Program pursuant to Chapter 25.2 (§ 54.1-2519 et seq.) of this title; and

21. To assess a civil penalty against any person who is not licensed by a health regulatory board for failing to report a violation pursuant to § 54.1-2906 54.1-2400.6 or § 54.1-2909.

§ 54.1-2506.01. Investigation of reported violations.

The Department shall investigate all complaints that are within the jurisdiction of the relevant health regulatory board received from (i) the general public and (ii) all reports received pursuant to §§ 54.1-2400.6, 54.1-2400.7, 54.1-2709.3, 54.1-2709.4, 54.1-2906, 54.1-2907, 54.1-2908, or § 54.1-2909.

§ 54.1-2706. Revocation or suspension; other sanctions.

A. The Board may refuse to admit a candidate to any examination, refuse to issue a license to any applicant, suspend for a stated period or indefinitely, or revoke any license or censure or reprimand any licensee or place him on probation for such time as it may designate for any of the following causes:

1. Fraud, deceit or misrepresentation in obtaining a license;

2. The conviction of any felony or the conviction of any crime involving moral turpitude;

3. Use of alcohol or drugs to the extent that such use renders him unsafe to practice dentistry or dental hygiene;

4. Any unprofessional conduct likely to defraud or to deceive the public or patients;

5. Intentional or negligent conduct in the practice of dentistry or dental hygiene which causes or is likely to cause injury to a patient or patients;

6. Employing or assisting persons whom he knew or had reason to believe were unlicensed to practice dentistry or dental hygiene;

7. Publishing or causing to be published in any manner an advertisement relating to his professional practice which (i) is false, deceptive or misleading, (ii) contains a claim of superiority, or (iii) violates regulations promulgated by the Board governing advertising;

8. Mental or physical incompetence to practice his profession with safety to his patients and the public;

9. Violating, assisting, or inducing others to violate any provision of this chapter or any Board regulation;

10. Conducting his practice in a manner contrary to the standards of ethics of dentistry or dental hygiene or in a manner presenting a danger to the health and welfare of his patients or to the public;

11. Practicing outside the scope of the dentist's or dental hygienist's education, training, and experience;

12. Performing a procedure subject to certification without such valid certification required by the Board pursuant to § 54.1-2709.1 and Board regulations; however, procedures performed pursuant to the provisions of subdivision 5 of § 54.1-2712 as part of an American Dental Association accredited residency program shall not require such certification;

13. The revocation, suspension or restriction of a license to practice dentistry or dental hygiene in another state, possession or territory of the United States or foreign country; or

14. The violation of any provision of a state or federal law or regulation relating to manufacturing, distributing, dispensing or administering drugs.

B. The Board may direct any licensee under a disciplinary order to furnish it at such intervals as it may require, evidence that he is not practicing his profession in violation of this chapter. In addition, when the Board has probable cause to believe the licensee is unable to practice dentistry with reasonable skill and safety to patients because of excessive use of alcohol or drugs or physical or mental illness, the Board, after preliminary investigation by informal conference, may direct that the licensee submit to a mental or physical examination. Failure of the licensee to submit to the examination shall constitute grounds for disciplinary action. Any licensee affected by this subsection shall be afforded reasonable opportunity to demonstrate that he is competent to practice dentistry or dental hygiene with reasonable skill and safety to patients.

§ 54.1-2709.2. Registration and certain data required.

The Board of Dentistry shall require all oral and maxillofacial surgeons to annually register with the Board and to report and make available the following information:

1. The names of medical schools or schools of dentistry attended and dates of graduation;

2. Any graduate medical or graduate dental education at any institution approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduation Medical Education, the Commission on Dental Accreditation, American Dental Association;

3. Any specialty board certification or eligibility for certification as approved by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, American Dental Association;

4. The number of years in active, clinical practice as specified by regulations of the Board;

5. Any insurance plans accepted, managed care plans in which the oral and maxillofacial surgeon participates, and hospital affiliations, including specification of any privileges granted by the hospital;

6. Any appointments, within the most recent ten 10-year period, of the oral and maxillofacial surgeon to a dental school faculty and any publications in peer-reviewed literature within the most recent five-year period and as specified by regulations of the Board;

7. The location of any primary and secondary practice settings and the approximate percentage of the oral and maxillofacial surgeon's time spent practicing in each setting;

8. The access to any translating service provided to the primary practice setting of the oral and maxillofacial surgeon;

9. The status of the oral and maxillofacial surgeon's participation in the Virginia Medicaid Program;

10. Any final disciplinary or other action required to be reported to the Board by health care institutions, other practitioners, insurance companies, health maintenance organizations, and professional organizations pursuant to §§ 54.1-2906 54.1-2400.6, 54.1-2709.3, and 54.1-2709.4 that results in a suspension or revocation of privileges or the termination of employment or a final order of the Board relating to disciplinary action; and

11. Other information related to the competency of oral and maxillofacial surgeons as specified in the regulations of the Board.

The Board shall promulgate regulations to implement the provisions of this section, including, but not limited to, the release, upon request by a consumer, of such information relating to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. The regulations promulgated by the Board shall provide for reports to include all paid claims in categories indicating the level of significance of each award or settlement.

§ 54.1-2910.1. Certain data required.

A. The Board of Medicine shall require all doctors of medicine, osteopathy and podiatry to report and shall make available the following information:

1. The names of the schools of medicine, osteopathy, or podiatry and the years of graduation;

2. Any graduate medical, osteopathic, or podiatric education at any institution approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduation Medical Education, the American Osteopathic Association or the Council on Podiatric Medical Education;

3. Any specialty board certification as approved by the American Board of Medical Specialties, the Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists of the American Osteopathic Association, or the Council on Podiatric Medical Education of the American Podiatric Medical Association;

4. The number of years in active, clinical practice as specified by regulations of the Board;

5. Any hospital affiliations;

6. Any appointments, within the most recent ten 10-year period, of the doctor to the faculty of a school of medicine, osteopathy or podiatry and any publications in peer-reviewed literature within the most recent five-year period and as specified by regulations of the Board;

7. The location and telephone number of any primary and secondary practice settings and the approximate percentage of the doctor's time spent practicing in each setting. For the sole purpose of expedited dissemination of information about a public health emergency, the doctor shall also provide to the Board any e-mail address or facsimile number; however, such e-mail address or facsimile number shall not be published on the profile database and shall not be released or made available for any other purpose;

8. The access to any translating service provided to the primary and secondary practice settings of the doctor;

9. The status of the doctor's participation in the Virginia Medicaid Program;

10. Any final disciplinary or other action required to be reported to the Board by health care institutions, other practitioners, insurance companies, health maintenance organizations, and professional organizations pursuant to §§ 54.1-2906 54.1-2400.6, 54.1-2908, and 54.1-2909 that results in a suspension or revocation of privileges or the termination of employment or a final order of the Board relating to disciplinary action;

11. Conviction of any felony; and

12. Other information related to the competency of doctors of medicine, osteopathy, and podiatry, as specified in the regulations of the Board.

B. In addition, the Board shall provide for voluntary reporting of insurance plans accepted and managed care plans in which the doctor participates.

C. The Board shall promulgate regulations to implement the provisions of this section, including, but not limited to, the release, upon request from a consumer, of such information relating to a specific doctor. The Board's regulations shall provide for reports to include all paid claims in categories indicating the level of significance of each award or settlement; however, the specific numeric values of reported paid claims shall not be released in any individually identifiable manner under any circumstances.

§ 54.1-2915. Refusal; suspension or revocation; other disciplinary actions.

A. The Board may refuse to admit a candidate to any examination; refuse to issue a certificate or license to any applicant; censure or reprimand any person; place any person on probation for such time as it may designate; suspend any person for a stated period of time or indefinitely; or revoke any certificate or license for any of the following causes:

1. False statements or representations or fraud or deceit in obtaining admission to the practice, or fraud or deceit in the practice of any branch of the healing arts;

2. Substance abuse rendering him unfit for the performance of his professional obligations and duties;

3. Unprofessional conduct as defined in this chapter;

4. Intentional or negligent conduct in the practice of any branch of the healing arts that causes or is likely to cause injury to a patient or patients;

5. Mental or physical incapacity or incompetence to practice his profession with safety to his patients and the public; or

6. Restriction of a license to practice a branch of the healing arts in another state, the District of Columbia, a United States possession or territory, or a foreign jurisdiction.

The Board shall refuse to admit a candidate to any examination and shall refuse to issue a certificate or license to any applicant if the candidate or applicant has had his certificate or license to practice a branch of the healing arts revoked or suspended, and has not had his certificate or license to so practice reinstated, in another state, the District of Columbia, a United States possession or territory, or a foreign jurisdiction.

B. The Board may direct any licensee under a disciplinary order to furnish it at such intervals as it may require, evidence that he is not practicing his profession in violation of this chapter. In addition, when the Board has probable cause to believe the licensee unable to practice the healing arts with reasonable skill and safety to patients because of excessive use of alcohol or drugs or physical or mental illness, the Board, after preliminary investigation by informal conference, may direct that the licensee submit to a mental or physical examination by physicians designated by it. Failure of the licensee to submit to the examination shall constitute grounds for disciplinary action. Any licensee affected by this subsection shall be afforded reasonable opportunity to demonstrate that he is competent to practice the healing arts with reasonable skill and safety to patients.

§ 54.1-3480. Refusal, revocation or suspension.

A. The Board may refuse to admit a candidate to any examination, may refuse to issue a license to any applicant, and may suspend for a stated period of time or indefinitely or revoke any license or censure or reprimand any person or place him on probation for such time as it may designate for any of the following causes:

1. False statements or representations or fraud or deceit in obtaining admission to the practice, or fraud or deceit in the practice of physical therapy;

2. Substance abuse rendering him unfit for the performance of his professional obligations and duties;

3. Unprofessional conduct as defined in this chapter;

4. Intentional or negligent conduct that causes or is likely to cause injury to a patient or patients;

5. Mental or physical incapacity or incompetence to practice his profession with safety to his patients and the public;

6. Restriction of a license to practice physical therapy in another state, the District of Columbia, a United States possession or territory, or a foreign jurisdiction;

7. Conviction in any state, territory or country of any felony or of any crime involving moral turpitude;

8. Adjudged legally incompetent or incapacitated in any state if such adjudication is in effect and the person has not been declared restored to competence or capacity; or

9. Conviction of an offense in another state, territory or foreign jurisdiction, which if committed in Virginia would be a felony. Such conviction shall be treated as a felony conviction under this section regardless of its designation in the other state, territory or foreign jurisdiction.

B. The Board shall refuse to admit a candidate to any examination and shall refuse to issue a license to any applicant if the candidate or applicant has had his certificate or license to practice physical therapy revoked or suspended, and has not had his certificate or license to so practice reinstated, in another state, the District of Columbia, a United States possession or territory, or a foreign jurisdiction.

C. The Board may direct any licensee under a disciplinary order to furnish it at such intervals as it may require, evidence that he is not practicing his profession in violation of this chapter. In addition, when the Board has probable cause to believe the licensee is unable to practice physical therapy with reasonable skill and safety to patients because of excessive use of alcohol or drugs or physical or mental illness, the Board, after preliminary investigation by informal conference, may direct that the licensee submit to a mental or physical examination by physicians designated by it. Failure of the licensee to submit to the examination shall constitute grounds for disciplinary action. Any licensee affected by this subsection shall be afforded reasonable opportunity to demonstrate that he is competent to practice physical therapy with reasonable skill and safety to patients.

2. That §§ 54.1-2906, 54.1-2907, 54.1-2919, 54.1-3009, 54.1-3010, 54.1-3216 and 54.1-3615 of the Code of Virginia are repealed.

3. That the health regulatory boards within the Department of Health Professions shall promulgate regulations to implement the provisions of this act relating to the delegation of fact-finding proceedings to an agency subordinate within 280 days of its enactment.