HB2060 Summary

• Amends the Arkansas Peer Review Fairness Act to redefine key terms including "investigation" as a formal process requiring physician notification within 5 business days and distinguishing it from preliminary reviews and routine quality assurance activities.

• Establishes due process protections requiring physicians under review to receive written notice, opportunity to discuss cases with reviewers, right to legal representation, and right to a hearing with an independent hearing officer or arbitrator.

• Requires hospitals to provide all relevant information (inculpatory and exculpatory) to both the professional review body and physician, and mandates exchange of witness lists and documents before hearings.

• Creates new standards for investigators and hearing officers, including independence requirements and prohibitions on conflicts of interest such as representing either party within the prior 2 years.

• Allows physicians to petition circuit court within 60 days for equitable relief if there is substantial noncompliance with due process protections, with court review limited to the record and potential attorney's fees for prevailing parties.