FL H0393

Authorizes the Department of Business and Professional Regulation to require licensees and applicants to participate in impaired practitioner programs under the Division of Medical Quality Assurance and exercise powers previously held only by the Department of Health.

Expands the definition of "health care practitioner" to include persons certified or licensed to provide medical transportation services or radiological services.

Exempts health care practitioners from license disqualification for certain felony convictions if they were suffering from addiction or impairment at the time of the offense and subsequently complete an approved impaired practitioner program.

Requires the State Surgeon General to review and issue emergency orders suspending or restricting a practitioner's license within 10 business days if an impaired practitioner consultant reports that a practitioner is not progressing satisfactorily in treatment and poses immediate danger to public health or safety.

Expands impaired practitioner consultants to include entities with medical directors or registered nurse executive directors, limits liability for medical and other professional schools referring students to consultants, and clarifies confidentiality requirements for consultant records.