COLUMBUS, Ohio — Governor Mike DeWine today signed Senate Bill 109, a landmark piece of legislation designed to hold sexually abusive medical professionals accountable and enhance patient protection in Ohio.
“This bill represents a significant step forward in our efforts to better protect Ohio patients,” Governor DeWine said. “It increases accountability for doctors, boosts transparency, and empowers the State Medical Board to act more swiftly when misconduct occurs. Ultimately, this legislation will encourage more people to take action when something is wrong.”
The bill, which passed unanimously in both the Ohio House and Senate, was sponsored by Senator Bob Hackett (R-London). It includes key provisions to improve the state’s ability to address sexual misconduct by medical professionals.
Key Provisions of Senate Bill 109:
- Increased Reporting Requirements
Healthcare facilities are now required to report the start of any sexual misconduct or criminal misconduct investigations against a medical licensee within 30 days. Additionally, medical licensees must report certain criminal charges within 30 days of being charged, and courts and prosecutors will have additional reporting duties for indictments and convictions of sexual battery offenders who are licensed medical providers. - Earlier License Suspensions
The bill grants the State Medical Board the authority to immediately suspend the license of any healthcare professional charged with a felony if the conduct involves a disciplinary violation. - Increased Transparency for Patients
Under the new law, doctors must inform patients in writing if they are on probation for sexual misconduct or patient harm. Victims of misconduct will also receive updates on the status of their complaints.
The bill addresses many of the issues raised by a Governor-appointed 2019 working group, which reviewed the handling of sexual misconduct cases by the State Medical Board, particularly in the wake of the 1996-2002 investigation into former Ohio State University physician Richard Strauss.
A Stronger State Medical Board
The State Medical Board of Ohio has already made significant strides in improving its processes. Stephanie Loucka, Executive Director of the Board, highlighted that Ohio is the only state to have a dedicated team for handling sexual misconduct complaints. This team includes specially trained investigators, a victim coordinator, and an attorney with expertise in such cases.
“The Board has made great strides under Governor DeWine’s leadership,” Loucka said. “We now have new protocols for handling these cases and have trained other medical boards across the country. This bill will help eliminate legal barriers, allowing us to act more decisively and efficiently when misconduct occurs.”
Empowering Victims and Medical Professionals
The bill also includes provisions to prohibit certain healthcare providers from performing intimate examinations on unconscious or anesthetized patients, a practice that was previously part of House Bill 89 before being added to SB 109.
Dr. Jonathan B. Feibel, President of the State Medical Board of Ohio, emphasized the importance of maintaining patient trust in medical professionals. “Our highest priority is protecting patients. Medical providers who breach that trust must be held accountable, and this bill will help us do just that,” he said.
Dr. Feibel also stressed that SB 109 aims to encourage victims to come forward and report abuse. “We understand how difficult it is for a patient to come forward after such an experience,” he said. “We want to assure them that the Medical Board will act swiftly and appropriately to address their complaints.”
Governor DeWine’s signature on SB 109 marks a significant milestone in the state’s ongoing efforts to protect patients and ensure that those who abuse their positions of trust are held accountable.
For more information on how the State Medical Board handles sexual misconduct complaints, visit their Sexual Misconduct Resource webpage.
