1Amending the act of March 20, 2002 (P.L.154, No.13), entitled
2"An act reforming the law on medical professional liability;
3providing for patient safety and reporting; establishing the
4Patient Safety Authority and the Patient Safety Trust Fund;
5abrogating regulations; providing for medical professional
6liability informed consent, damages, expert qualifications,
7limitations of actions and medical records; establishing the
8Interbranch Commission on Venue; providing for medical
9professional liability insurance; establishing the Medical
10Care Availability and Reduction of Error Fund; providing for
11medical professional liability claims; establishing the Joint
12Underwriting Association; regulating medical professional
13liability insurance; providing for medical licensure
14regulation; providing for administration; imposing penalties;
15and making repeals," further providing for continuing medical
16education.

17The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
18hereby enacts as follows:

19Section 1. Section 910 of the act of March 20, 2002
20(P.L.154, No.13), known as the Medical Care Availability and
21Reduction of Error (Mcare) Act, is amended by adding a
22subsection to read:

23Section 910. Continuing medical education.

24* * *

25(b.1) Additional medical education.--

1(1) As part of the 100 hours of mandatory continuing
2education required of individuals licensed to practice
3medicine and surgery, 12 hours shall be in the subjects of
4palliative care and the treatment of terminally ill and dying
5patients, including:

6(i) Management of pain and other symptoms such as
7nausea, insomnia, shortness of breath, delirium and loss
8of appetite.

9(ii) Communication with seriously ill patients.

10(iii) Assessment of prognosis in seriously or
11chronically ill patients.

12(iv) Advance planning and medical decision making.

13(2) For the purpose of this subsection, the 12 hours of
14continuing education shall be a one-time requirement.
15Individuals licensed to practice medicine and surgery without
16restriction shall complete the 12 hours of continuing
17education during a biennial renewal cycle before December 31,
182017. The licensure board may verify completion of this
19requirement on the renewal form.

20(3) As determined by the licensure board, individuals
21licensed to practice medicine and surgery without restriction
22may be exempt from the requirement in this subsection if the
23licensee does not treat patients or provide patient
24consultations.

25(4) For a physician who routinely cares for children for
26more than 15% of the physician's clinical volume, at least 4
27of the 12 credits shall address the specific concerns of
28pediatric palliative care.

29* * *

30Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.