California CodesBusiness and Professions Code - BPCDivision 2 — Healing ArtsChapter 5 — MedicineArticle 12 — EnforcementSection 2232.5

(a)(1) Notwithstanding Section 2236, the board or its designee shall automatically suspend a license following a conviction of a felony by a licensee, where the conviction involves a violation of one or more of the statutes identified in subdivision (b) whether in the course of the licensee’s practice as a physician and surgeon or otherwise.

(2) The suspension shall remain in effect until the time for appeal has elapsed if no appeal has been taken, or until judgment of conviction has been affirmed on appeal, or has otherwise become final, and until the further order of the board.

(3) The board or its designee may decline to impose or may set aside the suspension when it appears to be in the best interest of justice to do so, with due regard being given to maintaining the integrity of, and confidence in, the profession.

(b)(1) Sexual abuse, misconduct, or relations with a patient pursuant to Section 726 or sexual exploitation as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 729.

(2) Offenses described in subdivisions (c) and (d) of Section 290 of the Penal Code.

(3) Serious felonies as defined in Section 1192.7 of the Penal Code.

(4) Selling, transporting, furnishing, administering, giving, possessing with intent to sell, or offering to sell, furnish, administer, or give to any person, any fentanyl or fentanyl laced product without a lawful prescription.

(c)(1) Following the conviction of a felony as described in subdivision (b), the board or its designee shall automatically revoke a license at such time as the time for appeal has elapsed with no appeal having been taken, or the judgment of conviction having been affirmed on appeal, or the judgment of conviction having otherwise become final.

(2) If the related conviction of the licensee is overturned on appeal, no revocation order shall be issued as to that conviction, and any suspension order issued pursuant to the above shall be rescinded, unless any such order is based on a stipulated settlement. Nothing in this subdivision shall prohibit the board from pursuing disciplinary action based on any cause other than the overturned conviction, including, but not limited to, the underlying conduct alleged in the criminal case.

(d)(1) The licensee may request a hearing within 30 days of the automatic suspension order described in subdivision (a) and the automatic revocation order described in subdivision (c). The proceeding shall be conducted in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code) except as provided in paragraph (2).

(2) The Legislature finds and declares that the conviction of any felony identified in subdivision (b) is substantially related to the practice of medicine. An administrative law judge shall not permit or give any weight to expert testimony regarding whether the conviction is substantially related to the practice of medicine. The only purpose of an administrative hearing shall be to determine whether the discipline imposed shall be a suspension, revocation, or other action under the circumstances of the case.