Bill > HB1718

This bill establishes a new framework for physician well-being programs aimed at addressing career fatigue and supporting health care professionals. The bill defines a "physician well-being program" as a formal program with specific parameters: it must use one-on-one peer interactions to connect participants with health resources, be limited to three sessions per participant every 12 months, focus on general career fatigue without evaluating specific patient care or investigating misconduct, and be established in writing by an employer, medical organization, or statewide physician organization. The program cannot include people employed by or financially invested in the program and cannot monitor physicians' ability to practice. The bill also creates confidentiality protections for program records, making them exempt from public disclosure and discovery, with some exceptions. Additionally, the bill outlines reporting requirements for license holders, specifying that while participants in physician well-being programs are generally not required to report issues, they must do so if a physician is deemed unable to practice safely or if a patient has been harmed. The legislation amends existing laws to integrate these new provisions into the state's health care professional regulations, with the ultimate goal of supporting the mental health and professional well-being of physicians and physician assistants.