HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 71 Offered January 11, 2006 Prefiled January 10, 2006 Requesting the Department of Health Professions, in cooperation with the Virginia Bar Association, to study ways to increase the efficiency of the investigative and hearing process of the Department of Health Professions and the health regulatory boards. Report. ---------- Patron-- O'Bannon ---------- Referred to Committee on Rules ----------

WHEREAS, health care professionals are subject to licensure by the various health regulatory boards within the Department of Health; and

WHEREAS, the Department of Health Professions investigates complaints against health care professionals on behalf of the health regulatory boards and transmits the results of the investigations to the health regulatory boards for review and action; and

WHEREAS, the process as currently structured demands significant time commitments by the members of the health regulatory boards, all of whom serve without compensation; and

WHEREAS, the time commitment required is sometimes so great that some board members have chosen to resign because they cannot devote the required time and maintain their professional careers; and

WHEREAS, it is imperative that the health regulatory boards be able to accomplish their mission of protecting the public and that the licensees be able to have complaints against them resolved fairly, efficiently, and expeditiously; and

WHEREAS, it is to the benefit of the public, licensees, the Department of Health Professions, and the health regulatory boards that the current investigative and hearing process be studied in an effort to increase efficiency while protecting the rights of licensees; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the Department of Health Professions, in cooperation with the Virginia Bar Association, be requested to study ways to increase the efficiency of the investigative and hearing process of the Department of Health Professions and the health regulatory boards. 

In conducting its study, the Department of Health Professions shall review all laws and regulations related to investigations and hearings with respect to the licenses of health care professionals and shall consider the need for amendments to relevant Virginia laws and regulations and recommend appropriate changes.

Technical assistance shall be provided to the Department of Health Professions by the Office of the Attorney General. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Department of Health Professions for this study, upon request.

The Department of Health Professions shall complete its meetings by November 30, 2006, and shall submit to the Governor and the General Assembly an executive summary and a report of its findings and recommendations for publication as a House or Senate document. The executive summary and report shall be submitted as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents and reports no later than the first day of the 2007 Regular Session of the General Assembly and shall be posted on the General Assembly's website.