(A) As used in this section, "criminal conduct" and "sexual misconduct" have the same meanings as in section4731.224of the Revised Code.
(B)(1) Within thirty days after the imposition of any formal disciplinary action taken by any health care facility, including a hospital, health care facility operated by a health insuring corporation, ambulatory surgical facility, or similar facility, against any individual holding a valid license to practice as a certified mental health assistant, the chief administrator or executive officer of the facility shall report to the state medical board the name of the individual, the action taken by the facility, and a summary of the underlying facts leading to the action taken. On request, the board shall be provided certified copies of the patient records that were the basis for the facility's action. Prior to release to the board, the summary shall be approved by the peer review committee that reviewed the case or by the governing board of the facility.
The filing of a report with the board or decision not to file a report, investigation by the board, or any disciplinary action taken by the board, does not preclude a health care facility from taking disciplinary action against a certified mental health assistant.
In the absence of fraud or bad faith, no individual or entity that provides patient records to the board shall be liable in damages to any person as a result of providing the records.
(2) Within thirty days after commencing an investigation regarding criminal conduct or sexual misconduct against any individual holding a valid license to practice issued pursuant to this chapter, a health care facility, including a hospital, health care facility operated by a health insuring corporation, ambulatory surgical center, or similar facility, shall report to the board the name of the individual and a summary of the underlying facts related to the investigation being commenced.
(C)(1) Except as provided in division (C)(2) of this section and subject to division (C)(3) of this section, a certified mental health assistant, professional association or society of certified mental health assistants, physician, or professional association or society of physicians that believes a violation of any provision of this chapter, Chapter 4731. of the Revised Code, or rule of the board has occurred shall report to the board the information on which the belief is based.
(2) A certified mental health assistant, professional association or society of certified mental health assistants, physician, or professional association or society of physicians that believes a violation of division (B)(6) of section4772.20of the Revised Code has occurred shall report the information upon which the belief is based to the monitoring organization conducting the program established by the board under section4731.251of the Revised Code. If any such report is made to the board, it shall be referred to the monitoring organization unless the board is aware that the individual who is the subject of the report does not meet the program eligibility requirements of section4731.252of the Revised Code.
(3) If any individual authorized to practice under this chapter or any professional association or society of such individuals knows or has reasonable cause to suspect based on facts that would cause a reasonable person in a similar position to suspect that an individual authorized to practice under this chapter has committed or participated in criminal conduct or sexual misconduct, the information upon which the belief is based shall be reported to the board within thirty days.
This division does not apply to a professional association or society whose staff interacts with members of the association or society only in advocacy, governance, or educational capacities and whose staff does not regularly interact with members in practice settings.
(4) In addition to the self-reporting of criminal offenses that is required for license renewal, an individual authorized to practice under this chapter shall report to the board criminal charges regarding criminal conduct, sexual misconduct, or any conduct involving the use of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, including offenses that are equivalent offenses under division (A) of section4511.181of the Revised Code, violations of division (D) of section4511.194of the Revised Code, and violations of division (C) of section4511.79of the Revised Code. Reports under this division shall be made within thirty days of the criminal charge being filed.
(D) Any professional association or society composed primarily of certified mental health assistants that suspends or revokes an individual's membership for violations of professional ethics, or for reasons of professional incompetence or professional malpractice, within thirty days after a final decision, shall report to the board, on forms prescribed and provided by the board, the name of the individual, the action taken by the professional organization, and a summary of the underlying facts leading to the action taken.
The filing of a report with the board or decision not to file a report, investigation by the board, or any disciplinary action taken by the board, does not preclude a professional organization from taking disciplinary action against a certified mental health assistant.
(E) Any insurer providing professional liability insurance to any person holding a valid license to practice as a certified mental health assistant or any other entity that seeks to indemnify the professional liability of a certified mental health assistant shall notify the board within thirty days after the final disposition of any written claim for damages where such disposition results in a payment exceeding twenty-five thousand dollars. The notice shall contain the following information:
(1) The name and address of the person submitting the notification;
(2) The name and address of the insured who is the subject of the claim;
(3) The name of the person filing the written claim;
(4) The date of final disposition;
(5) If applicable, the identity of the court in which the final disposition of the claim took place.
(F) The board may investigate possible violations of this chapter or the rules adopted under it that are brought to its attention as a result of the reporting requirements of this section, except that the board shall conduct an investigation if a possible violation involves repeated malpractice. As used in this division, "repeated malpractice" means three or more claims for malpractice within the previous five-year period, each resulting in a judgment or settlement in excess of twenty-five thousand dollars in favor of the claimant, and each involving negligent conduct by the certified mental health assistant.
(G) All summaries, reports, and records received and maintained by the board pursuant to this section shall be confidential pursuant to division (E) of section4772.21of the Revised Code.
(H) Except for reports filed by an individual pursuant to division (B)(2) or (C) of this section, the board shall send a copy of any reports or summaries it receives pursuant to this section to the certified mental health assistant. The certified mental health assistant shall have the right to file a statement with the board concerning the correctness or relevance of the information. The statement shall at all times accompany that part of the record in contention.
(I) An individual or entity that reports to the board, reports to the monitoring organization described in section4731.251of the Revised Code, or refers an impaired certified mental health assistant to a treatment provider approved by the board under section4731.25of the Revised Code shall not be subject to suit for civil damages as a result of the report, referral, or provision of the information.
(J) In the absence of fraud or bad faith, a professional association or society of certified mental health assistants that sponsors a committee or program to provide peer assistance to a certified mental health assistant with substance abuse problems, a representative or agent of such a committee or program, a representative or agent of the monitoring organization described in section4731.251of the Revised Code, and a member of the state medical board shall not be held liable in damages to any person by reason of actions taken to refer a certified mental health assistant to a treatment provider approved under section4731.25of the Revised Code for examination or treatment.
Last updated August 8, 2025 at 2:23 PM