ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-sixth Legislature

Second Regular Session

 

HB 2187: health professionals; title use; prohibitions

Sponsor: Representative Parker B, LD 10

Committee on Health & Human Services

Overview

Entitles this act the Medical Title Transparency and Patient Protection Act. Designates who may use certain health professional titles for advertisements, professional communications and identification in clinical settings. 

History

An advertisement for health care services that includes a health professional's name must identify the title and type of license the health professional holds and under which the health professional is practicing. A health professional who does not disclose this is in violation and commits an act of unprofessional conduct.

An advertisement includes billboards, brochures, pamphlets, radio and television scripts, electronic media, printed telephone directories, telephone and direct mail solicitations and any other means of promotion intended to directly or indirectly induce any person to enter into an agreement for services with the health professional. Advertisements do not include materials that provide information about network providers that are created by an entity regulated under applicable insurance laws (A.R.S. § 32-3213).

Provisions

1.   ☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal NoteAllows a health professional to only use the following license titles and designations in all advertisements, professional communications and identifications in a clinical setting:

a)   for a licensed medical doctor or medical resident who has completed medical school and is enrolled in a residency program, "Doctor of Medicine", "Dr.", "Physician" or "M.D.";

b)   for an osteopathic physician or medical resident who has completed medical school and is enrolled in a residency program, "Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine", "Dr.", "Physician" or "D.O.";

c) for a registered nurse, "Registered Nurse" or "R.N.";

d)   for a licensed practical nurse, "Licensed Practical Nurse" or "L.P.N"; and

e)   for a physician assistant, "Physician Assistant" or "P.A.". (Sec. 1)

2.   Lists the certain types of specialty designations a licensed medical doctor or osteopathic physician may use in all advertisements, professional communications and identifications in a clinical setting. (Sec. 1)

3.   Allows an advanced practice registered nurse to use any of the following license titles and designations in all advertisements, professional communications and identifications in a clinical setting:

a)   "A.P.R.N.";

b)   "Clinical Nurse Specialist" or "C.N.S.";

c) "Certified Nurse Practitioner" or "C.N.P."; and

d)   "Certified Nurse Midwife" or "C.N.M." (Sec. 1)

4.   Prohibits an advanced practice registered nurse from using a medical title or specialty title either alone or in combination with any nursing title. (Sec. 1)

5.   Asserts that health professionals who are not specified may use the appropriate title or titles as indicated in the applicable statutes regulating their profession. (Sec. 1)

6.   Requires a health professional advertisement to disclose only the applicable license under which the health professional is authorized to provide health care services. (Sec. 1)

7.   Requires an advertisement to comply with both of the following:

a)   may not include deceptive or misleading terms or false representations; and

b)   include the health professional's name and the type of license the health professional holds. (Sec. 1)

8.   Clarifies that this does not prohibit a health professional from using a title or titles regulating that health profession. (Sec. 1)

9.   Clarifies that this does not prohibit a health professional from displaying academic degrees that they earned in any clinical setting. (Sec. 1)

10.  Clarifies that this does not prevent a health professional from using a professional title that accurately described their qualifications and credential if such use is not misleading or deceptive to the public. (Sec. 1)

11.  Asserts that a violation of these requirements constitutes an unlawful practice. (Sec. 1)

12.  Allows the Attorney General to investigate and take appropriate action. (Sec. 1)

13.  Defines terms. (Sec. 1)

14.  Cites this act as the Medical Title Transparency and Patient Protection Act. (Sec. 2)

 

 

 

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                        HB 2187

Initials AG     Page 0 Health & Human Services

 

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