HB2398 Summary: Perfusionist Practice Act Amendments

• Replaces all references to "Director" with "Secretary" of the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation throughout the Act.

• Allows new graduates to practice perfusion for 14 months after graduation from an accredited program while under direct supervision of a licensed perfusionist or physician, without immediate licensure requirements.

• Increases maximum civil penalties and fines from $5,000 to $10,000 per violation for unlicensed practice and disciplinary actions.

• Authorizes the Department to require 30 hours of continuing education per 2-year license renewal cycle and implements automatic license termination if fees or fines remain unpaid 30 days after notice.

• Establishes criminal penalties of Class A misdemeanor for first offense and Class 4 felony for each subsequent offense of violating the Act; allows Department to order physical or mental examinations and adds provisions for Secretary-ordered rehearings when substantial justice has not been served.