2018 -- H 7573

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LC003803

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2018

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS - BOARD OF MEDICAL LICENSURE

AND DISCIPLINE

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Morgan, Filippi, Giarrusso, Nardolillo, and Roberts

     Date Introduced: February 09, 2018

     Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 5-37 of the General Laws entitled "Board of Medical Licensure and

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Discipline" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     5-37-2.2. Reciprocity.

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     (a) When a person licensed to practice medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and

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surgery by the licensing department of another state, a diplomate of the National Board of

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Medical Examiners or the National Board of Examiners for Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons,

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or a licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada wishes to move to this state to practice, the

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person shall file an application with the state medical licensure board. The board may, in its

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discretion, by an affirmative vote of not less than seven (7) of its members, issue its certificate to

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practice medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery without requiring the

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applicant to submit to examination, provided the applicant submits evidence satisfactory to the

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board of meeting the same age, moral character, and educational requirements individuals must

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meet under § 5-37-2 and, if applicable, demonstrates proficiency in spoken English in accordance

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with subsection (e) of this section.

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     (b) The board shall issue or deny its certificate to practice within sixty (60) days after the

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receipt of a complete application under subsection (a) of this section. Within thirty (30) days after

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receipt of an application, the board shall provide the applicant with written notice of any

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information required before an application can be considered complete for purposes of this

 

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section.

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     (c) If an applicant is under investigation pursuant to § 5-37-4, the board shall conclude

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the investigation within ninety (90) days of receipt of a complete application unless extended by

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written consent of the applicant or unless the board determines that a substantial question of a

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violation of this chapter or the rules adopted under it exists and the board has notified the

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applicant in writing of the reasons for the continuation of the investigation. If the board

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determines that the applicant is not in violation, it shall issue a certificate within forty-five (45)

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days of that determination.

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     (d) A fee of three hundred dollars ($300) shall be submitted with each application for

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certification under this section.

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     (e)(1) Except as provided in subsection (e)(2) of this section, an applicant licensed to

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practice medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery by the licensing department of

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another state who received that license based in part on certification from the educational

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commission for foreign medical graduates shall demonstrate proficiency in spoken English if the

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applicant fulfilled the undergraduate requirements for a certificate issued under this section at an

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institution outside the United States.

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     (2) An applicant described in subsection (a)(1) of this section is not required to

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demonstrate proficiency in spoken English if either of the following apply:

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     (i) During the five (5) years immediately preceding the date of application, the applicant's

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license has been unrestricted and the applicant has been actively practicing medicine and surgery

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or osteopathic medicine and surgery in the United States.

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     (ii) At the beginning of the five (5) year period preceding the date of application under

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this section, the applicant was participating in graduate medical education, and since completing

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that education has held an unrestricted license and has been actively practicing medicine and

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surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery in the United States.

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      (iii) The applicant was required to demonstrate such proficiency as a condition of

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receiving certification from the educational commission for foreign medical graduates.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS - BOARD OF MEDICAL LICENSURE

AND DISCIPLINE

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     This act would grant reciprocity to physicians licensed to practice medicine in other

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states and foreign jurisdictions, upon the submission of an application to the board of medical

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licensure and discipline, and the presentation of evidence that the physician seeking reciprocity

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meets all of the requirements applicable to resident physicians.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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