Oklahoma § 59-518.1 - Allied Professional Peer Assistance Program – Committees

§ 59-518.1. Allied Professional Peer Assistance Program – Committees

- Records.

A. There is hereby established the Allied Professional Peer

Assistance Program to rehabilitate allied medical professionals

whose competency may be compromised because of the abuse of drugs or

alcohol, so that such allied medical professionals can be treated

and can return to or continue the practice of allied medical

practice in a manner which will benefit the public. The program

shall be under the supervision and control of the State Board of

Medical Licensure and Supervision.

B. The Board may appoint one or more peer assistance evaluation

advisory committees, hereinafter called “allied peer assistance

committees”. Each of these committees shall be composed of members,

the majority of which shall be licensed allied medical professionals

with expertise in chemical dependency. The allied peer assistance

committees shall function under the authority of the State Board of

Medical Licensure and Supervision in accordance with the rules of

the Board. The program may be one hundred percent (100%) outsourced

to professional groups specialized in this arena. The committee

members shall serve without pay, but may be reimbursed for the

expenses incurred in the discharge of their official duties in

accordance with the State Travel Reimbursement Act.

C. The Board may employ or contract with a qualified person or

persons to serve as program coordinators and shall fix such person’s

compensation. The program may employ or contract with a director

for purposes of ongoing nonclerical administrative duties and shall

fix the director’s compensation.

D. The Board is authorized to adopt and revise rules, not

inconsistent with the Oklahoma Allopathic Medical and Surgical

Licensure and Supervision Act, as may be necessary to enable it to

carry into effect the provisions of this section.

E. A portion of licensing fees for each allied profession, not

to exceed Ten Dollars ($10.00), may be used to implement and

maintain the Allied Professional Peer Assistance Program.

F. All monies paid pursuant to subsection E of this section

shall be deposited in an agency special account revolving fund under

the State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision, and shall be

used for the general operating expenses of the Allied Professional

Peer Assistance Program, including payment of personal services.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 59. Professions and Occupations

G. The records and management information system of the

professionals enrolled in the Allied Professional Peer Assistance

Program and reports shall be maintained in the program office in a

place separate and apart from the records of the Board. The records

shall be made public only by subpoena and court order; provided

however, confidential treatment shall be canceled upon default by

the professional in complying with the requirements of the program.

H. Any person making a report to the Board or to an allied peer

assistance committee regarding a professional suspected of

practicing allied medical practice while habitually intemperate or

addicted to the use of habit-forming drugs, or a professional’s

progress or lack of progress in rehabilitation, shall be immune from

any civil or criminal action resulting from such reports, provided

such reports are made in good faith.

I. A professional’s participation in the Allied Professional

Peer Assistance Program in no way precludes additional proceedings

by the Board for acts or omissions of acts not specifically related

to the circumstances resulting in the professional’s entry into the

program. However, in the event the professional defaults from the

program, the Board may discipline the professional for those acts

which led to the professional entering the program.

J. The Board may suspend the license immediately upon

notification that the licensee has defaulted from the Allied

Professional Peer Assistance Program, and shall assign a hearing

date for the matter to be presented to the Board.

K. All treatment information, whether or not recorded, and all

communications between a professional and therapist are both

privileged and confidential. In addition, the identity of all

persons who have received or are receiving treatment services shall

be considered confidential and privileged.

L. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise

requires:

1. “Board” means the State Board of Medical Licensure and

Supervision; and

2. “Allied peer assistance committee” means the peer assistance

evaluation advisory committee created in this section, which is

appointed by the State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision to

carry out specified duties.

M. The Allied Professional Peer Assistance Program may contract

with outside entities for services that are not available to it or

can be obtained for a lesser cost through such a contract. The

contract shall be ratified by the Board.

Added by Laws 2009, c. 261, § 3, eff. July 1, 2009. Amended by Laws

2019, c. 492, § 12, eff. Nov. 1, 2019; Laws 2024, c. 302, § 4, eff.

Nov. 1, 2024; Laws 2025, c. 350, § 6, eff. July 1, 2025.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 59. Professions and Occupations