Bill > A06678

This bill strengthens medical professional oversight and reporting requirements by introducing several key provisions. It requires medical professionals to notify the Department of Health within 10 days of being charged with a crime, expands the definition of professional misconduct to include sexual behavior without legitimate medical purpose, and reduces response times for communication from the department from 30 to 10 days. The bill broadens the definition of harassing behavior to include actions against a patient's caregiver or surrogate, and clarifies that sexual misconduct can occur in-person or virtually, including verbal, written, or physical behaviors that a patient might reasonably construe as sexual. Additionally, the legislation modifies hearing and investigation procedures, such as extending the timeframe for convening an investigation committee from 90 days to one year and changing service notification methods for disciplinary charges. The bill aims to enhance patient protection by creating more stringent reporting requirements and a more comprehensive understanding of professional misconduct in medical practice, with provisions taking effect on April 1, 2025.

Health and Social Services

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A6678