Contact:  Darlene Schlicher (615) 741-6336 or email:  darlene.schlicher@capitol.tn.gov

(NASHVILLE, TN), March 25, 2010 -- The full Senate has approved legislation sponsored by Senator Diane Black (R-Gallatin) that would require the Board of Medical Examiners to deny or revoke the license of any physician convicted of an offense which requires registration as a sexual offender.  The bill, Senate Bill 3362, provides for communications between the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s (TBI) Sex Offender Registry and the Board of Medical Examiners within 30 days to assure notification is given upon registration of a convicted offender.

The action comes after a mother in Middle Tennessee learned her child’s family practice physician was listed on the state’s Sex Offender Registry.  He obtained a medical license in Tennessee in 1992 after being turned down by two other states.  The state Board of Medical Examiners later renewed his license, even with knowledge that he was on the sex offender registry before acting last week to revoke it.
 
“Sex offenders should not have direct contact with patients in the practice of medicine,” said Senator Black.  “This legislation gives the Board direction to make sure this does not happen in Tennessee.”

The bill also requires the Medical Examiners to make sure that no existing physician is currently listed on the Registry.

“This requirement ensures that we have a complete review and comparison to make sure there is no stone unturned in working to protect children as well as adults ,” added Black.  “I am very pleased the Senate has unanimously passed this bill.”

This bill is pending action in the House Judiciary Committee, where it is sponsored by Representative Debra Maggart (R-Hendersonville).

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