Business and Professions Code Section 2770
It is the intent of the Legislature that the Board of Registered Nursing seek ways and means to identify and rehabilitate registered nurses whose competency may be impaired due to abuse of alcohol and other drugs, or due to mental illness so that registered nurses so afflicted may be rehabilitated and returned to the practice of nursing in a manner which will not endanger the public health and safety. It is also the intent of the Legislature that the Board of Registered Nursing shall implement this legislation by establishing a diversion program as a voluntary alternative to traditional disciplinary actions. [Added by Stats. 1984, Ch. 865, Sec. 1]Business and Professions Code Section 2770.1
As used in this article:(a) "Board" means the Board of Registered Nursing.
(b) "Committee" means a diversion evaluation committee created by this article.
(c) "Program manager" means the staff manager of the diversion program, as designated by the executive officer of the board. The program manager shall have background experience in dealing with substance abuse issues. [Amended by Stats. 2008, Ch. 548, Sec. 17. Effective January 1, 2009]
Business and Professions Code Section 2770.2
One or more diversion evaluation committees is hereby created in the state to be established by the board. Each committee shall be composed of five persons appointed by the board. No board member shall serve on any committee.Each committee shall have the following composition:
(a) Three registered nurses, holding active California licenses, who have demonstrated expertise in the field of chemical dependency or psychiatric nursing.
(b) One physician, holding an active California license, who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of addictive diseases or mental illness.
(c) One public member who is knowledgeable in the field of chemical dependency or mental illness.It shall require a majority vote of the board to appoint a person to a committee. Each appointment shall be at the pleasure of the board for a term not to exceed four years. In its discretion the board may stagger the terms of the initial members appointed. [Amended by Stats. 1999, Ch. 655, Sec. 36. Effective January 1, 2000]