Assembly Bill 799 establishes a health professional assistance program in Wisconsin, directed by the Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS). The program aims to coordinate the detection, evaluation, treatment, and ongoing care monitoring for healthcare providers who may be suffering from conditions that could impair their ability to practice safely. The bill mandates that the entity operating the program must be a not-for-profit organization sponsored by a healthcare professional association, employ a medical director with expertise in addiction medicine, and have necessary healthcare providers on staff. The program will adopt procedures for determining eligibility, coordinating care, monitoring participants, and ensuring confidentiality.

The bill also allows credentialing boards to participate in the program and report healthcare providers who may be impaired. It stipulates that participation in the program is voluntary and confidential, and it does not limit the authority of credentialing boards to investigate or discipline providers for unrelated conduct. Additionally, the bill provides immunity from civil liability for the program and its staff, and it establishes a fee of $70 for healthcare providers participating in the program, which will fund its operations. The bill amends existing statutes to incorporate these provisions and create a new section specifically for the health professional assistance program.