Bill Text - HB1139 (2010)

Relative to the regulation of podiatrists by the board of podiatry.


Revision: April 8, 2010, midnight

HB 1139 – VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES

17Feb2010… 0491h

2010 SESSION

10-2082

10/09

HOUSE BILL 1139

AN ACT relative to the regulation of podiatrists by the board of podiatry.

SPONSORS: Rep. DeJoie, Merr 11

COMMITTEE: Executive Departments and Administration

ANALYSIS

This bill makes various changes to the regulation of podiatrists and the administration of the board of podiatry.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

17Feb2010… 0491h

10-2082

10/09

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Ten

AN ACT relative to the regulation of podiatrists by the board of podiatry.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1 Podiatry; Examination Requirement. Amend RSA 315:2, I to read as follows:

I. Any person admitted to practice podiatry in this state shall be required to pass [an] a proctored examination [before the board] given by the National Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners. The person shall be of good professional character [and at least 18 years of age]. The person shall have graduated from a college of podiatry or podiatry medicine which is accredited by the American Podiatric Medical Association, and maintaining at that time a standard satisfactory to the board. No person who is not licensed as a podiatrist as provided by RSA 315:8 shall practice or attempt to practice podiatry in the state or call oneself or allow oneself to be called a “podiatrist” or a “podiatric surgeon” or designate or describe the person’s occupation by the use of any words or letters to lead others to believe that the person is so licensed.

2 Compensation of Board. RSA 315:3 is repealed and reenacted to read as follows:

315:3 Compensation. The members of the board shall receive per diem compensation of $50 for meetings and other board activities requiring 2 or more hours in a 24-hour period, and shall be reimbursed for travel expenses incurred in connection with the work of the board.

3 Examinations. Amend RSA 315:7 to read as follows:

315:7 Examinations. Successful passage of [the] a proctored National Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners test, parts [1 and 2 as well as PM Lexis] I, II, and III is required. The board shall keep a record of examination results.

4 License Renewal. RSA 315:11 is repealed and reenacted to read as follows:

315:11 License Renewal; Inactive Status.

I. Every person licensed to practice under this chapter shall apply to the board on a biennial basis for renewal of license on forms provided by the board and shall pay a renewal fee as established in rules of the board. As a condition of renewal of license, each licensee shall show proof of having completed the continuing education units as required in rules adopted by the board.

II. If a person applies to the board for renewal of license by June 30 of the year in which the licensee’s renewal is set to occur, the license shall not expire until the board has taken final action on the application for renewal. At least 20 days prior to the expiration of any license, the board shall cause a notice to be mailed to the licensee advising him or her of the expiration date and enclosing a blank renewal application form.

III. Upon the request of a person licensed by the board who is a member of any reserve component of the armed forces of the United States or the national guard and is called to active duty, the board shall place such person’s license on inactive status. The license may be reactivated, after notification to the board, within one year of the person’s release from active status by payment of the renewal fee and with proof of completion of the most current continuing education requirement unless still within the renewal period.

5 Neglect to Renew; Reinstatement. RSA 315:12 is repealed and reenacted to read as follows:

315:12 Neglect to Renew. Any licensee who fails to renew his or her license by June 30 of the year in which the licensee’s renewal is set to occur, shall be required to pay double the renewal fee if paid within 90 days of the expiration date. Any failure, neglect, or refusal on the part of any person licensed by the board to renew the license as provided in RSA 315:11 or this section shall automatically result in the lapse of the license. Licenses lapsed under this section for nonpayment within 90 days shall not be reinstated except upon payment of a reinstatement fee as established in rules adopted by the board, and a showing of such evidence of professional competence as the board may reasonably require.

6 Notice of Expiration. Amend RSA 315:13 to read as follows:

315:13 Notice of Expiration. The secretary shall [also] mail a notice to each holder of a license that has not been renewed within 90 days of the expiration date, advising him or her of the expiration of [his] the license and the penalty of practicing podiatry without holding a license and the condition and terms upon which his or her license may be [revived and renewed] reinstated.

7 New Section; Reinstatement. Amend RSA 315 by inserting after section 13 the following new section:

315:13-a Reinstatement. Any person who has not renewed his or her license within 90 days of the expiration date shall only have his or her license restored upon the filing of a reinstatement application, accompanied by the reinstatement fee as established by the board, proof of satisfaction of continuing podiatric education requirements established by RSA 315:2, II, and such other evidence of professional competence as the board may reasonably require.

8 Rulemaking; Continuing Education Requirements. Amend RSA 315:4, V to read as follows:

V. How a license shall be renewed, including the requirements for continuing education;

9 Repeal. The following are repealed:

I. RSA 315:8, IV, relative to expiration and renewal of annual licenses.

II. RSA 315:14, relative to list of licensees.

III. RSA 315:4, XI, relative to rulemaking regarding matters of proper administration of the chapter.

10 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.