HB 5458
Relating to professionals to be licensed by the West Virginia Board of Medicine
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Sign in to take action- Introduced
- Passed House of Delegates
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill, titled "Lynette’s Law", makes significant changes to the licensing process for professionals in West Virginia, including physicians, podiatrists, and physician assistants. It mandates criminal background checks for all new applicants, defines key terms related to medical practice and genetic counseling, establishes a Genetic Counselors Practice Act, and creates a separate complaint file for licensees. The bill also addresses issues such as electronic signatures, emergency board meetings, and the delegation of duties, while repealing certain outdated provisions related to radiologist assistants and specific practice areas.
Key provisions
- Requires criminal background checks for all new applicants for medical licenses, including genetic counselors.
- Defines terms related to medical practice, including ‘administrative medicine’ and ‘genetic counseling’.
- Establishes a Genetic Counselors Practice Act with specific licensure requirements and continuing education.
- Creates a separate complaint file for licensees, distinct from their historical record.
- Authorizes the board to promulgate rules for legislative approval on various licensing matters.
- Provides for the creation of a Medical Peer Review Committee.
- Addresses the use of electronic signatures in the medical field.
- Outlines disciplinary procedures involving genetic counselors, including felony penalties for misrepresenting qualifications.
Who is affected
- West Virginia Physicians
- West Virginia Podiatrists
- West Virginia Physician Assistants
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