OHIO, USA —
A bill is heading to Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine's desk to be signed into legislation and protect patients.
Senate Bill 109 was passed unanimously in both the House and Senate. If signed, the bill will bring changes for patients and to the state medical board.
"This bill will increase reporting requirements so that different entities, when they become aware of sexual misconduct, they are required to report that to the medical board," executive director of the State Medical Board of Ohio Stephanie Loucka said. "We can jump into those investigations sooner and be more effective with our investigations."
The bill will change confidentiality laws for the state medical board, allowing it to be more transparent with how investigations into complaints are going.
"It's super important that complaints get the opportunity to be reassured that we are working," Loucka said.
The bill expands the definition of rape to include when the offender knows someone's judgment is impaired due to drugs.
"What this legislation has highlighted is that there is a number of doctors who have exploited the inherent trusting patient-doctor relationship," YWCA director of victim services Rachael Gardner said.
If the bill is signed, doctors on probation for sexual misconduct have to inform their patients in writing.
The legislation comes in response to a working group created by Gov. DeWine. The group was formed in response to Dr. Richard Strauss, a student-athlete doctor at Ohio State University who sexually abused more than 170 students.
Loucka said the board has made operational changes to ensure patient protection and having legal support would bolster the work that has been put in place.
The legislation was a bipartisan effort, with two local senators being co-sponsors.
State Sen. Theresa Gavarone said in a statement: "This critical piece of legislation gives the State Medical Board more ability and authority to revoke the licenses of practitioners charged with violating the sacred trust of patients."
State Sen. Paula Hicks-Hudson is also a co-sponsor and said these types of crimes are more than a crime of assault.
"It's also a crime against that person's power because when they're most powerless, most vulnerable, they're being taken advantage of," Hicks-Hudson said.
If you or someone you know is aware of sexual misconduct or if you have experienced it, you can file a complaint with the state medical board here.