A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to permit counties to consolidate rural fire protection districts established under Article 3a of Chapter 69 OF THE GENERAL STATUTES and fire protection service districts established under article 16 of chapter 153a OF THE GENERAL STATUTES and to amend the statutes governing the north carolina medical board.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.(a) G.S. 153A‑303 is amended by adding a new subsection to read:
"(b1)	Annexation of Certain Areas to a Fire Service District. – The board of commissioners may by ordinance extend the boundaries of any service district that provides fire protection under this Part to include any territory located within that county that has been located in a fire protection district established under Article 3A of Chapter 69 of the General Statutes ("Chapter 69 District") for at least 30 years as of the date of the adoption of the resolution. Upon the effective date of the ordinance, that area is removed from the Chapter 69 District. If any such area is within both the boundaries of a Chapter 69 District for at least 30 years as of the date of the adoption of the ordinance and the service district established under this Part, the ordinance may remove the territory from the Chapter 69 District. Prior to adopting any ordinance under this subsection, the board of commissioners shall hold a public hearing after at least 10 days' notice in a newspaper of general circulation in the area. The effective date of the ordinance shall be either (i) June 30 after the date of the passage of the ordinance if the ordinance is adopted more than 90 days before June 30 or (ii) June 30 of the following year after the date of passage of the ordinance. Removal of territory from a Chapter 69 District under this subsection does not affect the rights or liabilities of the county, a taxpayer, or other person concerning taxes previously levied."
SECTION 1.(b)  G.S. 69‑25.11 is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:
"(6)	The area of any fire protection district may be decreased as provided by G.S. 153A‑303(b1)."
SECTION 2.1.  G.S. 90‑2(b) reads as rewritten:
"(b)	No member shall serve more than two complete three‑year terms, except that each member shall serve until a successor is chosen and qualifies."
SECTION 2.2.  G.S. 90‑3 reads as rewritten:
"§ 90‑3.  Review Panel recommends certain Board members; criteria for recommendations.
(a)	There is created a Review Panel to review all applicants for the physician positions and the physician assistant or nurse practitioner position on the Board except as provided in G.S. 90‑2(a)(2)a. The Review Panel shall consist of nine members, including four from the Medical Society, one from the Old North State Medical Society, one from the North Carolina Osteopathic Medical Association, one from the North Carolina Academy of Physician Assistants, one from the North Carolina Nurses Association Council of Nurse Practitioners, and one public member currently serving on the Board. All physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners serving on the Review Panel shall be actively practicing in North Carolina.
The Review Panel shall contract for the independent administrative services needed to complete its functions and duties. The Board shall provide funds to pay the reasonable cost for the administrative services of the Review Panel. The Board shall convene the initial meeting of the Review Panel. The Review Panel shall elect a chair, and all subsequent meetings shall be convened by the Review Panel.
The Governor shall appoint Board members as provided in G.S. 90‑2. The Review Panel shall attempt to make its recommendations to the Governor reflect the composition of the State with regard to gender, ethnic, racial, and age composition.
The Review Panel and its members and staff shall not be held liable in any civil or criminal proceeding for exercising, in good faith, the powers and duties authorized by law.
(b)	To be considered qualified for a physician position or the physician assistant or nurse practitioner position on the Board, an applicant shall meet each of the following criteria:
(1)	Hold an active, nonlimited license to practice medicine in North Carolina, or in the case of a physician assistant or nurse practitioner, hold an active license or approval to perform medical acts, tasks, and functions in North Carolina.
(2)	Have an active clinical or teaching practice. For purposes of this subdivision, the term "active" means patient care, or instruction of students in an accredited medical school or residency, or clinical research program, for 20 hours or more per week.
(3)	Have actively practiced in this State for at least five consecutive years immediately preceding the appointment.
(4)	Intend to remain in active practice in this State for the duration of the term on the Board.
(5)	Submit at least three letters of recommendation, either from individuals or from professional or other societies or organizations.
(6)	Have no public disciplinary history with the Board or any other licensing board in this State or another state over the past 10 years before applying for appointment to the Board.
(7)	Have no history of felony convictions of any kind.
(8)	Have no misdemeanor convictions related to the practice of medicine.
(9)	Indicate, in a manner prescribed by the Review Panel, that the applicant: (i) understands that the primary purpose of the Board is to protect the public; (ii) is willing to take appropriate disciplinary action against his or her peers for misconduct or violations of the standards of care or practice of medicine; and (iii) is aware of the time commitment needed to be a constructive member of the Board.
(10)	Has not served more than 72 months as a member of the Board.
(c)	The Review Panel shall recommend at least two qualified nominees for each open position on the Board. If the Governor chooses not to appoint either of the recommended nominees, the Review Panel shall recommend at least two new qualified nominees.
(d)	Notice of open physician positions or the physician assistant or nurse practitioner position on the Board shall be sent to all physicians currently licensed to practice medicine in North Carolina and all physician assistants and nurse practitioners currently licensed or approved to perform medical acts, tasks, and functions in this State.
(e)	Applicants for positions on the Board shall not be required to be members of any professional association or society, except as provided in G.S. 90‑2(a)(2)a.
(f)	Notwithstanding any provision contained in G.S. 90‑16, the Board may provide confidential and nonpublic licensing and investigative information in its possession to the Review Panel.
(g)	All applications, records, papers, files, reports, and all investigative and licensing information received by the Review Panel from the Board and other documents received or gathered by the Review Panel, its members, employees, agents, and consultants as a result of soliciting, receiving and reviewing applications, and making recommendations as required above shall not be considered public records within the meaning of Chapter 132 of the General Statutes and are privileged, confidential, and not subject to discovery, subpoena, or other means of legal compulsion for release to any person other than the Review Panel and the Board, their employees, agents, or consultants, except as provided herein. The Review Panel shall publish on its Web site the names and practice addresses of all applicants within 10 days of the application deadline. The Review Panel shall publish on its Web site the names and practice addresses of the nominees upon recommendation to the Governor.
(h)	The Review Panel is a public body within the meaning of Article 33C of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes. In addition to the provisions contained in that Article permitting a public body to conduct business in a closed session, the Review Panel shall meet in a closed session to review applications, interview applicants, review and discuss information received from the Board, and discuss, debate, and vote on recommendations to the Governor."
SECTION 2.3.  G.S. 90‑5.2 reads as rewritten:
"§ 90‑5.2.  Board to collect and publish certain data.
(a)	The Board shall require all physicians and physician assistants to report to the Board certain information, including, but not limited to, the following:
(1)	The names of any schools of medicine or osteopathy attended and the year of graduation.
(2)	Any graduate medical or osteopathic education at any institution approved by the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education, the Committee for the Accreditation of Canadian Medical Schools, the American Osteopathic Association, or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
(3)	Any specialty board of certification as approved by the American Board of Medical Specialties, the Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists of American Osteopathic Association, or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
(4)	Specialty area of practice.
(5)	Hospital affiliations.
(6)	Address and telephone number of the primary practice setting.
(7)	A current effective e‑mail address which shall not be a public record and may be used or made available for the purpose of expediting the dissemination of information affecting public health or the practice of medicine.
(8)	Any final disciplinary order or other action required to be reported to the Board pursuant to G.S. 90‑14.13 that results in a suspension or revocation of privileges.
(9)	Any final disciplinary order or action of any regulatory board or agency including other state medical boards, the United States Food and Drug Administration, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, Medicare, or the North Carolina Medicaid program.
(10)	Conviction of a felony.
(11)	Conviction of certain misdemeanors, occurring within the last 10 years, in accordance with rules adopted by the Board.
(12)	Any medical license, active or inactive, granted by another state or country.
(13)	Certain malpractice information received pursuant to G.S. 90‑5.3, G.S. 90‑14.13, or from other sources in accordance with rules adopted by the Board.
(a1)	The Board shall make e‑mail addresses reported pursuant to G.S. 90‑5.2(a)(7) available to the Department of Health and Human Services for use in the North Carolina Controlled Substance Reporting System established by Article 5E of this Chapter.
(b)	Except as provided, the Board shall make information collected under G.S. 90‑5.2(a) available to the public.
(c)	The Board may adopt rules to implement this section.
(d)	Failure to provide information as required by this section and in accordance with Board rules or knowingly providing false information may be considered unprofessional conduct as defined in G.S. 90‑14(a)(6)."
SECTION 2.4.  G.S. 90‑13.1(a) reads as rewritten:
"(a)	Each applicant for a license to practice medicine and surgery in this State under either G.S. 90‑9.1 or G.S. 90‑9.2 shall pay to the North Carolina Medical Board an application fee of four hundred dollars ($400.00)."
SECTION 2.5.  G.S. 90‑13.2 reads as rewritten:
"§ 90‑13.2.  Registration every year with Board.
(a)	Every person licensed to practice medicine by the North Carolina Medical Board shall register annually with the Board within 30 days of the person's birthday.
(b)	A person who registers with the Board shall report to the Board the person's name and office and residence address and any other information required by the Board, and shall pay an annual registration fee of two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00), except the following:
(1)	Those who have a limited license to practice in a medical education and training program approved by the Board for the purpose of education or training shall pay a registration fee of one hundred twenty‑five dollars ($125.00).
(2)	Those who have a retired limited volunteer license pursuant to G.S. 90‑12.1B shall pay no registration fee.
(3)	Those who have a limited volunteer license pursuant to G.S. 90‑12.1A shall pay no annual registration fee.
(b1)	Notwithstanding subsection (b) of this section, licensees who have a limited license to practice for the purpose of education and training under G.S. 90‑12.01 shall not be required to pay more than one annual registration fee for each year of training.
	
(d)	A physician who is not actively engaged in the practice of medicine in North Carolina and who does not wish to register the license may direct the Board to place the license on inactive status.
(e)	A physician who fails to register as required by this section shall pay an additional fee of fifty dollars ($50.00) to the Board. The license of any physician who fails to register and who remains unregistered for a period of 30 days after certified notice of the failure is automatically inactive. The Board shall retain jurisdiction over the holder of the inactive license.
(f)	Except as provided in G.S. 90‑12.1B, a person whose license is inactive shall not practice medicine in North Carolina nor be required to pay the annual registration fee.
(g)	Upon payment of all accumulated fees and penalties, the license of the physician may be reinstated, subject to the Board requiring the physician to appear before the Board for an interview and to comply with other licensing requirements. The penalty may not exceed the maximum fee for a license under G.S. 90‑13.1."
SECTION 2.6.  G.S. 90‑14(n) reads as rewritten:
"(n)	Notwithstanding subsection (m) of this section, if the licensee has retained counsel the Board may serve to both the licensee and the licensee's counsel any of the following:
(1)	Orders to produce.
(2)	Orders to appear.
(3)	Orders to submit to assessment or examination.
(4)	Orders following a hearing.
(5)	Notice that the Board will not be taking any further action against a licensee."
SECTION 2.7.  G.S. 90‑14.2 is amended by adding a new subsection to read:
"(c)	Once charges have been issued, the parties may engage in discovery pursuant to the provisions of the Rules of Civil Procedure, G.S. 1A‑1. Additionally, the Board shall provide the respondent or respondent's counsel with all exculpatory evidence in its possession, except the Board shall not be required to provide information that is within the attorney‑client privilege; would identify an anonymous complainant; or relates to advisory opinions, recommendations, or deliberations by the Board, its staff, and its consultants that will not be entered into evidence."
SECTION 2.8.  G.S. 90‑16(d) is repealed.
SECTION 2.9.  G.S. 90‑14.13(a1) reads as rewritten:
"(a1)	A hospital is not required to report:
(1)	The suspension or limitation of a physician's privileges for failure to timely complete medical records.
(2)	A resignation from practice due solely to the physician's completion of a medical residency, internship, or fellowship."
SECTION 2.10.  G.S. 90‑21.22 reads as rewritten:
"Article 1D.
"Health Program for Medical Professionals.
"§ 90‑21.22.  Health program for medical professionals.
(a)	The North Carolina Medical Board (Board) may enter into agreements with the North Carolina Medical Society (Society), the North Carolina Academy of Physician Assistants (Academy), and the North Carolina Physicians Health Program (Program) for the purpose of identifying, reviewing, and evaluating the ability of licensees of the Board referred to the Program to function in their professional capacity and to coordinate regimens for treatment and rehabilitation. The agreement shall include guidelines for the assessment, referral, monitoring, support, and education of licensees of the Board with physical or mental illness, chemical dependence, or professional sexual misconduct; procedures for referral by the Board; criteria for reporting licensees to the Board by the Program; periodic reporting of statistical information to the Board, the Society, and the Academy; and assurance of confidentiality of nonpublic information.
	
(c)	The Board, Society, and the Academy may provide funds for the administration of such health programs for licensees.
(d)	The Program shall report immediately to the Board detailed information about any licensee who meets any of the following criteria:
(1)	The licensee constitutes an imminent danger to patient care by reason of mental illness, physical illness, substance‑related disorder, or professional sexual misconduct.
(2)	The licensee refuses to submit to an assessment as ordered by the Board, has entered into a monitoring contract and fails to comply with the terms of the Program's monitoring contract, or is still unsafe to practice medicine after treatment.
	
(e)	Any confidential patient information and other nonpublic information acquired, created, or used in good faith by the Program pursuant to this section shall remain confidential and shall not be subject to discovery or subpoena or other means of legal compulsion for release to any person other than the Board, Board employees, or consultants used by the Board or the Program. No person participating in good faith in the Program shall be required in a civil case to disclose the fact of participation in the Program or any information acquired or opinions, recommendations, or evaluations acquired or developed solely in the course of participating in the Program pursuant to this section.
(f)	Program activities conducted in good faith pursuant to any agreement under this section shall not be grounds for civil action under the laws of this State.
(g)	Upon written request by a participant, the Program shall provide the participant and, if the participant provides a written request and permission, the participant's legal counsel, with a summary of the substantive information contained in the Program's assessment. Any information furnished to a participant pursuant to this subsection shall be inadmissible in evidence and not subject to discovery in any civil proceeding. However, information, documents, or records otherwise available are not immune from discovery or use in a civil action merely because that information, documents, or records were included in the Program's assessment or were the subject of information furnished to the participant pursuant to this subsection.
(h)	The Board has authority to adopt, amend, or repeal rules as may be necessary to carry out and enforce the provisions of this section."
SECTION 3.  Sections 2.4 and 2.5 of this act become effective October 1, 2014. The remainder of this act is effective when it becomes law.