House Bill 340 Summary

• Creates felony offenses for licensed physicians, physician assistants, podiatrists, acupuncture practitioners, and radiologist assistants who engage in sexual activity with patients during or within 12 months after the professional relationship, punishable by up to $100,000 fine and 5 years imprisonment with permanent license revocation by court order.

• Prohibits these healthcare professionals from engaging in sexual misconduct with current patients or "key third parties" (family members, guardians, proxies) including specific prohibited behaviors such as inappropriate touching, ungloved genital examination, romantic kissing, and soliciting dates.

• Establishes permanent license revocation without reinstatement eligibility when a practitioner is convicted of the felony offense or when the State Board of Medical Licensure finds sexual misconduct occurred after notice and hearing.

• Removes the $10,000 cap on costs that disciplinary boards can assess against licensees for investigation and hearing expenses.

• Applies uniform sexual misconduct provisions across physicians, physician assistants, podiatrists, acupuncture practitioners, and radiologist assistants, with effective date of July 1, 2017.