Req. No. 10115 Page 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 STATE OF OKLAHOMA 2nd Session of the 58th Legislature (2022) HOUSE BILL 4203 By: Echols AS INTRODUCED An Act relating to the State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision ; creating requirement s related to physician investigation transparency; providing for codification ; and providing an effective date. BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA: SECTION 1. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 542 of Title 59, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows: A. As used in this section "Board" means the State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision . B. Where the Board is investigating a complaint a gainst a physician made by a patient or a patient's personal representative , the following procedures shall be followed: 1. A Board analyst or a medical consultant shall interview the complaining patient before a decision is made whether the ca se should go to an investigator; Req. No. 10115 Page 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 2. All hearings shall be public and subject to the open meetings law of this state, this shall include an option to participate remotely; 3. The Board shall inform the complainant of all public proceedings; 4. The Board shall allow the complainant to be heard at all public hearings, and be given the opport unity to provide additional information when applicabl e. C. The Board may not choose to withhold information about the enforcement process. The Board shall be required to disclose the following: 1. The number and nature of all patient complaints against a physician, regardless of the outcome; 2. The factual record of investigations; and 3. In some instances, the full record of the investigation, including any interviews, transcripts, notes, or other documents related to the complaint. D. The Board shall inform the patients when there is disciplinary action taken against the defending physician. This includes but is not limited to: 1. Probationary status; 2. Disciplinary actions; 3. All malpractice settlements over Thirty-Thousand Dollars ($30,000.00). Req. No. 10115 Page 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 E. The Board shall eliminate all co nflicts of interest when investigating and conducting disciplinary actions. F. The Board shall have a policy to shorten and e xpedite oversight and streamline the disciplinary action process. G. The Board shall have a policy of creating proportionate penalties for disciplinary actions against physicians. SECTION 2. This act shall become effective November 1, 2022. 58-2-10115 KN 01/16/22