ENTITLED An Act to provide for physician wellness programs.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of South Dakota:
Section 1. That a NEW SECTION be added:
36-2A-16. Physician wellness program defined.
The term, physician wellness program, as used in §§ 36-2A-16 to 36-2A-19, inclusive, means a program of evaluation, counseling, or other modality to address an issue related to career fatigue or wellness in a person licensed to practice medicine or osteopathy under chapter 36-4 or a physician assistant licensed under chapter 36-4A. The term does not include the provision of services intended to monitor for impairment.
Section 2. That a NEW SECTION be added:
36-2A-17. Physician wellness program--Confidentiality--Exemption.
Any record of a person's participation in a physician wellness program is confidential and not subject to discovery, subpoena, or a reporting requirement to the applicable board, unless the person voluntarily provides for written release of the information or the disclosure is required to meet the licensee's obligation to report a criminal charge or action, or unprofessional or dishonorable conduct, as defined in §§ 36-4-30, 36-4-30.1, and 36-4A-38.
Section 3. That a NEW SECTION be added:
36-2A-18. Physician wellness program--Statewide association.
Any statewide association, exempt from taxation under 26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(6) and that primarily represents health care professionals licensed to practice medicine or osteopathy under chapter 36-4, may establish a physician wellness program.
Section 4. That a NEW SECTION be added:
36-2A-19. Physician wellness program--Civil liability.
Any person, agency, institution, facility, or organization employed by, contracting with, or operating a physician wellness program, when acting in good faith, is immune from civil liability for any action related to their duties in connection with a physician wellness program.
An Act to provide for physician wellness programs.
I certify that the attached Act originated in the:
Chief Clerk
Speaker of the House
Attest:
Chief Clerk
President of the Senate
Attest:
Secretary of the Senate
File No. ____ Chapter No. ______
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Received at this Executive Office this _____ day of _____________,
2021 at ____________M.
for the Governor
The attached Act is hereby approved this ________ day of ______________, A.D., 2021
ss. Office of the Secretary of State
Filed ____________, 2021 at _________ o'clock __M.
Secretary of State
Asst. Secretary of State
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