Bill > SB1021

This bill, concerning the State Board of Chiropractic Examiners, introduces several key provisions aimed at enhancing accountability, transparency, and patient safety within the chiropractic profession. It clarifies definitions, including adding "chiropractic physician" as a synonym for "doctor of chiropractic" and defining "member" to include affiliated chiropractors, and "patient safety" as actions to prevent errors. The bill establishes a comprehensive list of acts constituting "unprofessional conduct" for chiropractors, such as failing to disclose financial interests in referred services, making false statements, and inadequate patient record-keeping, with specific requirements for record retention and release. It also outlines new duties for the board, including developing policies for psychosexual evaluations and mandating annual training for board members and employees on conflict of interest, open meetings, and the board's investigative authority. Furthermore, the bill clarifies the executive director's responsibilities, including maintaining a discipline matrix for consistent disciplinary actions and classifying complaints, and imposes stricter timelines for investigations and final decisions on complaints, with provisions for administrative closure if deadlines are missed. It also introduces new grounds for terminating the executive director, such as issuing irrelevant subpoenas or failing to report potential criminal activity to law enforcement promptly. The bill also refines procedures for handling complaints, investigations, and disciplinary actions, including limitations on subpoenaing financial information and requirements for timely referrals of criminal allegations to law enforcement. Finally, it addresses business entities offering chiropractic services, requiring registration and adherence to medical records protocols, with exemptions for certain ownership structures.

Government Affairs

https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/83596