The North Carolina Legislature last week approved a bill that would create new disciplinary powers for the state Medical Board, the Charlotte Observer reports. Under the proposal, which requires Gov. Mike Easley's (D) signature to become law, the board would be able to revoke or suspend a physician's license or impose conditions on his or her practice without first obtaining consent from the physician in question. Under current law, the board is required to obtain a consent order from the doctor or hold a public hearing before it can take action. The board also would be able to deny a license to a doctor who has been out of practice for more than two years or impose conditions of re-entry. In addition, panels of three or more board members could conduct disciplinary hearings and then report their recommendations to the full board. The board also would have authority to fine hospitals and insurers that do not comply with a current law requiring them to report changes in doctors' hospital staff privileges and payments made in malpractice suits filed against physicians. The Board would fine hospitals and insurers $250 for the first violation and $500 for subsequent violations. The law also would require doctors to notify the board of felony arrests and indictments; arrests for driving while intoxicated; and any arrest or indictment related to possession, use or sale of controlled substances (Garloch, Charlotte Observer, 7/13).

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