AB 273

Under current law, certain health care providers, including physicians, first

responders, and dentists, who render voluntary health care to a participant in an

athletic event or contest at a school are immune from civil liability for their acts or

omissions. The immunity applies only if certain conditions are met, including that

the health care is rendered at the site of event or contest and that there is no

compensation paid to the health care provider. This bill adds podiatrists to those who

are immune from civil liability for their acts or omissions while rendering voluntary

health care to a participant in an athletic event or contest at a school.

Currently, a communication by a patient to certain health care professionals,

including physicians, chiropractors, and psychologists, is privileged. The patient

may refuse to disclose, and can prevent the health care provider from disclosing, a

communication made for the purpose of diagnosis or treatment of the patient. This

bill adds podiatrists to those whose communication regarding diagnosis or treatment

may be prevented from being disclosed by the patient.

Under current law, the Department of Transportation (DOT) issues driver

school instructors' licenses. DOT may not issue an instructor's license to an

applicant unless the applicant submits a statement completed by a physician or

another specified medical care provider certifying that the applicant is physically fit

to teach driving. This bill adds podiatrists to the list of medical care providers that

may certify to DOT that an applicant is physically fit to teach driving.

Under current law, the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) may grant

assistance to needy veterans who have suffered a loss of income due to illness, injury,

or natural disaster. By rule, DVA has defined an illness or injury as a physical or

mental health problem that is diagnosed by a physician, dentist, optometrist, or

audiologist. This bill expands the health care providers who can diagnose an illness

or injury for DVA purposes to include podiatrists.

Under current law, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is authorized

to issue certain hunting permits that authorize hunting by persons who have a

physical disability (specialized permits). Among the privileges granted by these

specialized permits is the privilege of hunting with assistance rendered by another

person. In order to obtain a specialized permit from DNR, a person must submit an

application furnished by DNR that includes a statement or report prepared and

signed by a licensed physician or chiropractor verifying that the applicant is

physically disabled. A person may also obtain a specialized permit even if the person

would otherwise be ineligible for a specialized permit if DNR, based on the

recommendation of a licensed physician or chiropractor, determines that the

issuance of the permit complies with the intent of the law. This bill authorizes an

applicant for a specialized permit to submit a statement, report, or recommendation

from a licensed podiatrist, as well as from a physician or chiropractor, in support of

a specialized permit application.