AN ACT

RELATING TO THE PRACTICE OF MEDICINE; AMENDING CERTAIN SECTIONS OF THE MEDICAL PRACTICE ACT; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     Section 1. Section 61-6-11 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1923, Chapter 44, Section 3, as amended) is amended to read:

     "61-6-11. LICENSURE.--

          A. The board may consider for licensure a person who is of good moral character, is a graduate of an accredited United States or Canadian medical school, has passed an examination approved by the board and has completed two years of an approved postgraduate training program.

          B. An applicant who has not completed two years of an approved postgraduate training program, but who otherwise meets all other licensing requirements, may present evidence to the board of the applicant's other professional experience for consideration by the board in lieu of the approved postgraduate training program. The board shall, in its sole discretion, determine if the professional experience is substantially equivalent to the required approved postgraduate training program.

          C. A graduate of a board-approved medical school located outside the United States or Canada may be granted a license to practice medicine in New Mexico, provided the applicant presents evidence to the board that the applicant is a person of good moral character and is in compliance with the United States immigration laws and provided that the applicant presents satisfactory evidence to the board that the applicant has successfully passed an examination as required by the board and has successfully completed two years of postgraduate medical training in an approved postgraduate training program. A graduate of a medical school located outside the United States who successfully completes at least two years of an approved postgraduate training program at or affiliated with an institution located in New Mexico prior to December 30, 2007 and who meets the other requirements of this section may also be granted a license to practice medicine.

          D. All applicants for licensure may be required to appear personally before the board or a designated agent for an interview.

          E. An applicant for licensure by examination shall not be granted a license if the applicant has taken the examination in two or more steps and has failed to successfully pass the final step within seven years of the date that the first step was passed. An applicant for licensure who holds a medical doctor degree and a doctoral degree in a medically related field must successfully complete the entire examination series within ten years from the date the first step of the examination is passed. Provided, that the board may, by rule, establish exceptions to the time requirements of this subsection.

          F. Every applicant for licensure under this section shall pay the fees required by Section 61-6-19 NMSA 1978.

          G. The board may require fingerprints and other information necessary for a state and national criminal background check."

     Section 2. Section 61-6-13 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1989, Chapter 269, Section 9, as amended) is amended to read:

     "61-6-13. LICENSURE BY ENDORSEMENT.--

          A. The board may grant a license by endorsement to an applicant who:

                (1) has graduated from an accredited United States or Canadian medical school;

                (2) is board certified in a specialty recognized by the American board of medical specialties;

(3) has been a licensed physician in

the United States or Canada and has practiced medicine in the United States or Canada immediately preceding the application for at least three years;

                (4) holds an unrestricted license in another state or Canada; and

                (5) was not the subject of a disciplinary action in a state or province.

          B. The board may grant a license by endorsement to an applicant who:

                (1) has graduated from a medical school located outside the United States or Canada;

                (2) is of good moral character;

                (3) is in compliance with the United States immigration laws;

                (4) is board certified in a specialty recognized by the American board of medical specialties;

                (5) has been a licensed physician in the United States or Canada and has practiced medicine in the United States or Canada immediately preceding the application for at least three years;

                (6) holds an unrestricted license in another state or Canada; and

                (7) was not the subject of disciplinary action in a state or province.

          C. An endorsement provided pursuant to this section shall certify that the applicant has passed an examination that meets with board approval and that the applicant is in good standing in that jurisdiction. In cases when the applicant is board-certified, has not been the subject of disciplinary action that would be reportable to the national practitioner data bank or the healthcare integrity and protection data bank and has unusual skills and experience not generally available in this state, and patients residing in this state have a significant need for such skills and experience, the board may waive a requirement imposing time limits for examination completion that are different from requirements of the state where the applicant is licensed.

          D. An applicant for licensure under this section may be required to personally appear before the board or a designated agent for an interview.

          E. An applicant for licensure under this section shall pay an application fee as provided in Section 61-6-19 NMSA 1978.

          F. The board may require fingerprints and other information necessary for a state and national criminal background check."

     Section 3. Section 61-6-14 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1953, Chapter 48, Section 2, as amended) is amended to read:

     "61-6-14. ORGANIZED YOUTH CAMP OR SCHOOL TEMPORARY LICENSES AND TEMPORARY LICENSES FOR OUT-OF-STATE

PHYSICIANS.--

          A. The secretary-treasurer of the board or the board's designee may, either by examination or endorsement, approve a temporary license to practice medicine and surgery to an applicant qualified to practice medicine and surgery in this state who will be temporarily in attendance at an organized youth camp or school, provided that:

                (1) the practice shall be confined to enrollees, leaders and employees of the camp or school;

                (2) the temporary license shall be issued for a period not to exceed three months from date of issuance; and

                (3) the temporary license may be issued upon written application of the applicant, accompanied by such proof of the qualifications of the applicant as specified by board rule.

          B. The secretary-treasurer of the board or the board's designee may approve a temporary license to practice medicine and surgery under the supervision of a licensed physician to an applicant who is licensed to practice medicine in another state, territory of the United States or another country and who is qualified to practice medicine and surgery in this state. The following provisions shall apply:

                (1) the temporary license may be issued upon written application of the applicant, accompanied by proof of qualifications as specified by rule of the board. A temporary license may be granted to allow the applicant to assist in teaching, conducting research, performing specialized diagnostic and treatment procedures, implementing new technology and for physician educational purposes. A licensee may engage in only the activities specified on the temporary license, and the temporary license shall identify the licensed physician who will supervise the applicant during the time the applicant practices medicine in New Mexico. The supervising licensed physician shall submit an affidavit attesting to the qualifications of the applicant and activities the applicant will perform; and

                (2) the temporary license shall be issued for a period not to exceed three months from date of issuance and may be renewed upon application and payment of fees as provided in Section 61-6-19 NMSA 1978.

          C. The application for a temporary license under this section shall be accompanied by a license fee as provided in Section 61-6-19 NMSA 1978."

     Section 4. Section 61-6-15 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1969, Chapter 46, Section 6, as amended) is amended to read:

     "61-6-15. LICENSE MAY BE REFUSED, REVOKED OR SUSPENDED--LICENSEE MAY BE FINED, CENSURED OR REPRIMANDED--PROCEDURE--PRACTICE AFTER SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION--PENALTY--UNPROFESSIONAL AND DISHONORABLE CONDUCT DEFINED--FEES AND EXPENSES.--

          A. The board may refuse to license and may revoke or suspend a license that has been issued by the board or a previous board and may fine, censure or reprimand a licensee upon satisfactory proof being made to the board that the applicant for or holder of the license has been guilty of unprofessional or dishonorable conduct. The board may also refuse to license an applicant who is unable to practice medicine, or practice as a physician assistant or an anesthesiologist assistant, pursuant to Section 61-7-3 NMSA 1978. All proceedings shall be as required by the Uniform Licensing Act or the Impaired Health Care Provider Act.

          B. The board may, in its discretion and for good cause shown, place the licensee on probation on the terms and conditions it deems proper for protection of the public, for the purpose of rehabilitation of the probationer or both. Upon expiration of the term of probation, if a term is set, further proceedings may be abated by the board if the holder of the license furnishes the board with evidence that the licensee is competent to practice, is of good moral character and has complied with the terms of probation.

          C. If evidence fails to establish to the satisfaction of the board that the licensee is competent and is of good moral character or if evidence shows that the licensee has not complied with the terms of probation, the board may revoke or suspend the license. If a license to practice in this state is suspended, the holder of the license may not practice during the term of suspension. A person whose license has been revoked or suspended by the board and who thereafter practices or attempts or offers to practice in New Mexico, unless the period of suspension has expired or been modified by the board or the license reinstated, is guilty of a felony and shall be punished as provided in Section 61-6-20 NMSA 1978.

          D. "Unprofessional or dishonorable conduct", as used in this section, means, but is not limited to because of enumeration, conduct of a licensee that includes the following:

                (1) procuring, aiding or abetting a criminal abortion;

                (2) employing a person to solicit patients for the licensee;

                (3) representing to a patient that a manifestly incurable condition of sickness, disease or injury can be cured;

                (4) obtaining a fee by fraud or misrepresentation;

                (5) willfully or negligently divulging a professional confidence;

                (6) conviction of an offense punishable by incarceration in a state penitentiary or federal prison or conviction of a misdemeanor associated with the practice of the licensee. A copy of the record of conviction, certified by the clerk of the court entering the conviction, is conclusive evidence;

                (7) habitual or excessive use of intoxicants or drugs;

                (8) fraud or misrepresentation in applying for or procuring a license to practice in this state or in connection with applying for or procuring renewal, including cheating on or attempting to subvert the licensing examinations;

                (9) making false or misleading statements regarding the skill of the licensee or the efficacy or value of the medicine, treatment or remedy prescribed or administered by the licensee or at the direction of the licensee in the treatment of a disease or other condition of the human body or mind;

                (10) impersonating another licensee, permitting or allowing a person to use the license of the licensee or practicing as a licensee under a false or assumed name;

                (11) aiding or abetting the practice of a person not licensed by the board;

                (12) gross negligence in the practice of a licensee;

                (13) manifest incapacity or incompetence to practice as a licensee;

                (14) discipline imposed on a licensee by another state, including denial, probation, suspension or revocation, based upon acts by the licensee similar to acts described in this section. A certified copy of the record of suspension or revocation of the state making the suspension or revocation is conclusive evidence;

                (15) the use of a false, fraudulent or deceptive statement in a document connected with the practice of a licensee;

                (16) fee splitting;

                (17) the prescribing, administering or dispensing of narcotic, stimulant or hypnotic drugs for other than accepted therapeutic purposes;

                (18) conduct likely to deceive, defraud or harm the public;

                (19) repeated similar negligent acts;

                (20) employing abusive billing practices;

                (21) failure to report to the board any adverse action taken against the licensee by:

                     (a) another licensing jurisdiction;

                     (b) a peer review body;

                     (c) a health care entity;

                     (d) a professional or medical society or association;

                     (e) a governmental agency;

                     (f) a law enforcement agency; or

                     (g) a court for acts or conduct similar to acts or conduct that would constitute grounds for action as defined in this section;

                (22) failure to report to the board surrender of a license or other authorization to practice in another state or jurisdiction or surrender of membership on any medical staff or in any medical or professional association or society following, in lieu of and while under disciplinary investigation by any of those authorities or bodies for acts or conduct similar to acts or conduct that would constitute grounds for action as defined in this section;

                (23) failure to furnish the board, its investigators or representatives with information requested by the board;

                (24) abandonment of patients;

                (25) being found mentally incompetent or insane by a court of competent jurisdiction;

                (26) injudicious prescribing, administering or dispensing of a drug or medicine;

                (27) failure to adequately supervise, as provided by board rule, a medical or surgical assistant or technician or professional licensee who renders health care;

                (28) sexual contact with a patient or person who has authority to make medical decisions for a patient, other than the spouse of the licensee;

                (29) conduct unbecoming in a person licensed to practice or detrimental to the best interests of the public;

                (30) the surrender of a license or withdrawal of an application for a license before another state licensing board while an investigation or disciplinary action is pending before that board for acts or conduct similar to acts or conduct that would constitute grounds for action pursuant to this section;

                (31) sexual contact with a former mental health patient of the licensee, other than the spouse of the licensee, within one year from the end of treatment;

                (32) sexual contact with a patient when the licensee uses or exploits treatment, knowledge, emotions or influence derived from the previous professional relationship;

                (33) improper management of medical records, including failure to maintain timely, accurate, legible and complete medical records;

                (34) failure to provide pertinent and necessary medical records to a physician or patient of the physician in a timely manner when legally requested to do so by the patient or by a legally designated representative of the patient;

                (35) undertreatment of pain as provided by board rule;

                (36) interaction with physicians, hospital personnel, patients, family members or others that interferes with patient care or could reasonably be expected to adversely impact the quality of care rendered to a patient;

                (37) soliciting or receiving compensation by a physician assistant or anesthesiologist assistant from a person who is not an employer of the assistant; or

                (38) willfully or negligently divulging privileged information or a professional secret.

          E. As used in this section, "fee splitting" includes offering, delivering, receiving or accepting any unearned rebate, refunds, commission preference, patronage dividend, discount or other unearned consideration, whether in the form of money or otherwise, as compensation or inducement for referring patients, clients or customers to a person, irrespective of any membership, proprietary interest or co-ownership in or with a person to whom the patients, clients or customers are referred.

          F. Licensees whose licenses are in a probationary status shall pay reasonable expenses for maintaining probationary status, including laboratory costs when laboratory testing of biological fluids are included as a condition of probation."

     Section 5. Section 61-6-18 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1989, Chapter 269, Section 14, as amended) is amended to read:

     "61-6-18. MEDICAL STUDENTS--INTERNS--RESIDENTS.--

          A. Nothing in the Medical Practice Act shall prevent a medical student properly registered or enrolled in a medical college or school in good standing from diagnosing or treating the sick or afflicted, provided that the medical student does not receive compensation for services and such services are rendered under the supervision of the school faculty as part of the student's course of study.

          B. Any intern or resident who is appointed in a board-approved residency training program may pursue such training after obtaining a postgraduate training license from the board. The board may adopt by rule specific education or examination requirements for a postgraduate training license.

          C. Any person serving in the assigned rotations and performing the assigned duties in a board-approved residency training program accredited in New Mexico may do so for an aggregate period not to exceed eight years or completion of the residency, whichever is shorter.

          D. The board may require any applicant for a postgraduate training license required in Subsections B and C of this section to personally appear before the board or a designated member of the board for an interview.

          E. Every applicant for a postgraduate training license under this section shall pay the fees required by Section 61-6-19 NMSA 1978.

          F. Postgraduate training licenses shall be renewed annually and shall be effective during each year or part of a year of postgraduate training."

     Section 6. Section 61-6-18.1 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1994, Chapter 80, Section 10, as amended) is amended to read:

     "61-6-18.1. PUBLIC SERVICE LICENSE.--

          A. Applicants for a public service license shall meet all requirements for licensure and shall:

                (1) be enrolled in a board-approved residency training program either in New Mexico or in another jurisdiction;

                (2) obtain written approval from the training program director of the applicant to pursue a public service practice opportunity outside the residency training program; and

                (3) satisfy other reasonable requirements imposed by the board.

          B. A physician with one year postdoctoral training may apply for a public service license to practice under the direct supervision of a licensed physician or with immediate access to a licensed physician by electronic means when the public service physician is employed in a medically underserved area.

          C. A public service license shall expire on September 1 of each year and may be renewed by the board.

          D. An applicant for a public service license shall pay the required fees set forth in Section 61-6-19 NMSA 1978."

     Section 7. EMERGENCY.--It is necessary for the public peace, health and safety that this act take effect immediately.