If the board establishes a program, the program shall do all of the following:

(a) Provide for the education of all licensed physicians and surgeons with respect to the recognition and prevention of physical, emotional, and psychological problems.

(b) Offer assistance to a physician and surgeon in identifying substance abuse problems.

(c) Evaluate the extent of substance abuse problems and refer the physician and surgeon to the appropriate treatment by executing a written agreement with a physician and surgeon participant.

(d) Provide for the confidential participation by a physician and surgeon with substance abuse issues who does not have a restriction on his or her practice related to those substance abuse issues. If an investigation of a physician and surgeon occurs after the physician and surgeon has enrolled in the program, the board may inquire of the program whether the physician and surgeon is enrolled in the program and the program shall respond accordingly.

(e) Comply with the Uniform Standards Regarding Substance-Abusing Healing Arts Licensees as adopted by the Substance Abuse Coordination Committee of the department pursuant to Section 315.

(Added by Stats. 2016, Ch. 591, Sec. 1. (SB 1177) Effective January 1, 2017.)