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ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESFifty-fifth Legislature First Regular Session |
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HB 2622: nonretaliation policies; health care institutions
Sponsor: Representative Shah, LD 24
Committee on Health & Human Services
Overview
Prohibits a third-party contractor of a health care institution from taking retaliatory action against a health professional.
History
Current law requires a licensed health care institution to adopt a procedure for reviewing reports made in good faith by a health professional concerning an activity, policy or practice that the professional reasonably believes does both of the following: 1) violates professional standards of practice or is against the law; and 2) poses a substantial risk to the health, safety or welfare of a patient (A.R.S. § 36-450.01).
Licensed health care institutions must adopt policies that prohibit retaliatory actions against a health professional who in good faith: 1) makes a report to the institution relating to an unlawful activity, policy or practice; and 2) after providing the institution with reasonable opportunity to address the report, provides information to a private health care accreditation organization or governmental entity concerning the activity, policy or practice (A.R.S. § 36-450.02).
Statute defines retaliatory action as termination of or other adverse action against a health professional's employment taken by a health care institution because the professional has made a report (A.R.S. § 36-450).
Current law states that there is a rebuttable presumption that any termination or other adverse action that occurs more than 180 days after the date of the report is not a retaliatory action (A.R.S. § 36-450.02).
Provisions
1. Prohibits a third-party contractor of a health care institution from taking retaliatory action against a health professional. (Sec. 1)
2. Extends the rebuttable presumption period from 180 days to one year. (Sec. 1)
3. Defines third-party contractor as an entity that contracts with a health care institution to provide health care services in the health care institution by contracting or hiring health professionals. (Sec. 1)
4. Makes technical and conforming changes. (Sec. 1)
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8. HB 2622
9. Initials EB/IR Page 0 Health & Human Services
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