H.B. 290 Summary

• Prohibits unlawful sexual contact between licensed health care professionals and their patients, making it a crime with enhanced penalties depending on patient age and disability status.

• Creates new criminal offenses specific to health care professionals engaging in sexual contact with patients, with felony charges ranging from fifth to second degree depending on circumstances.

• Requires prosecuting attorneys to notify the appropriate licensing board or agency when a mental health professional or licensed health care professional is indicted or convicted of sexual abuse crimes.

• Mandates automatic license suspension upon conviction or guilty plea for health care professionals convicted of specified serious crimes including murder, rape, sexual battery, gross sexual imposition, and aggravated robbery.

• Applies license revocation provisions across multiple health professions including dentists, nurses, physicians, psychologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, athletic trainers, and social workers.