The New York State Senate has passed a Professional Assistance Program (PAP) bill, S.5753-A, supported by NYSDA and
sponsored by State Senator and Deputy Majority Leader Jeffrey D. Klein
(D-Bronx/Westchester).
The bill intends to amend
the education law to enhance access to the professional assistance program for
impaired professionals. The program offers a confidential, non-punitive option
for professionals impaired by alcohol or drugs to attain sobriety while
protecting their professional licenses. The new law would enable the
Professional Assistance Program to accept licensed professionals without having
to surrender their licenses in appropriate situations.
Under existing law, any
impaired professionals who wish to enroll in the PAP must first surrender his/her
license to practice. This discourages professionals who are already in active
treatment programs for their addictive illness and are fully capable of
practicing in the interim from utilizing the PAP.
The bill would eliminate
that barrier and allow the PAP the discretion to accept people into the program
without having to require the surrender of a license. While the PAP could still
require the surrender of a license, when appropriate, it enables the PAP to
impose less drastic, more appropriate alternative dispositions if it determines
that the health and safety of the public will be adequately protected.
The Assembly version of the
same bill is A.8301-A, sponsored by Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo (D-Broome), and
is currently in the Assembly Higher Education Committee.
Read more about NYSDA’s
successful program aiding impaired dentists.
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