Bill would give health professionals notice and a hearing before a board orders a mental health evaluation

A health profession regulatory board that finds probable cause that a professional may not practice safely must vote on whether to require an evaluation, after giving notice. It covers health professionals licensed by an Arizona health profession regulatory board. The notice must summarize the action or complaint that led the board to consider an evaluation. The notice is required at least fourteen days before the meeting where the board votes. Notice is due at least fourteen days before the board's vote.

The health professional may respond in writing and may testify at a board hearing about the matter in the notice. It covers the professional who received the notice. The board must consider any written response when deciding whether to require an evaluation.

The board must give the professional a copy of the completed evaluation and must reimburse the professional's evaluation costs in some cases. It covers professionals whom the board ordered to complete a psychological or psychiatric evaluation. Reimbursement applies only if the board takes no disciplinary or nondisciplinary action as a result of the evaluation. The section does not limit a board's power to summarily suspend a license under section 41-1064.