§1281.2. Allied practitioner health program; assessment, and self-reporting waiver; protected action and communication

A. In addition to all other assessments attendant to the issuance, renewal, or reinstatement of a license, permit, certificate, or registration issued by the board pursuant to this Part, the board shall charge and collect an annual assessment of twenty-five dollars from each medical psychologist, physician assistant, and podiatrist to be utilized for the identification, monitoring, assistance, and procurement of treatment of medical psychologists, physician assistants, and podiatrists suffering from substance abuse, chemical dependency, psychiatric conditions, or physical deficiencies which may interfere with their ability to practice their profession with reasonable skill and safety. The assessment established in this Section shall be due at the time of application for the issuance, renewal, or reinstatement of a license, permit, certificate, or registration.

B. With respect to any duty pursuant to this Part for a medical psychologist, physician assistant, or podiatrist to self-report a violation of his practice act to the board, either immediately or within a prescribed period of time of the occurrence, a report shall not be required if the violation relates to the individual's ability to practice his profession with reasonable skill and safety by reason of substance abuse or psychiatric condition, provided that since the occurrence the medical psychologist, physician assistant, or podiatrist has executed a monitoring agreement with an allied practitioner health program designated by the board and he is in full compliance with the terms and conditions of the agreement.

C. The provisions of R.S. 37:1287 shall be equally applicable to any nonprofit corporation, foundation, or organization, and to any person who serves as a director, trustee, officer, employee, consultant, or attorney for or who otherwise works for or is associated with any nonprofit corporation, foundation, or organization, that enters into any agreement with the board related to the operation of any committee or program to identify, investigate, counsel, monitor, or assist a medical psychologist, physician assistant, or podiatrist who suffers or may suffer from alcohol or substance abuse or a physical or mental condition, which could compromise his ability to practice with reasonable skill and safety to patients, for any investigation, action, report, recommendation, decision, or opinion undertaken, performed, or made in connection with or on behalf of such committee or program, without malice and in the reasonable belief that such investigation, action, report, recommendation, decision, or opinion was warranted.

Acts 2012, No. 431, §1.