Ohio House Passes Bill to Give State Medical Board Broader Options

The Ohio House passed House Bill 40 today, sponsored by Representatives Anne Gonzales (R-Westerville) and Jonathan Dever (R-Cincinnati). This bill is designed to improve accountability related to continuing education requirements for medical professionals by giving the State Medical Board the ability to fine and regulate the certificates to practice.

“I appreciate the support I received from my friends and colleagues in the House of Representatives,” said Gonzales. “This bill will help improve accountability and may eventually lead to decreased licensing fees.”

“House Bill 40 will provide the medical community with another tool for their tool box to help protect the citizens of Ohio and cut unnecessary red tape for physicians,” said Dever. “I am pleased my colleagues passed HB 40 today with unanimous support and look forward to the Senate’s action on this bill.”

HB 40 authorizes the State Medical Board to impose penalties of up to $20,000 on an individual who violates the law administered by the Board, and requires the Board to adopt guidelines regarding the amounts that would be imposed for different infractions.

The bill would also declare that an adjudication hearing is not required if the Board imposes a civil penalty for failure to complete these requirement, but does not take any other action. It will give the State Board the permission to suspend a medical professional’s certificate to practice, removing the automatic suspension that is currently imposed with failure to renew or register the certificate.  The Board can then require an assessment before issuing or restoring these certificates.

With HB 40’s passage in the House, it will now go on to the Senate for further consideration.