§ 11111. Professional review
(a)
In general
(1)
Limitation on damages for professional review actions
If a professional review action (as defined in section
11151
(9) of this title) of a professional review body meets all the standards specified in section
11112
(a) of this title, except as provided in subsection (b) of this section—
shall not be liable in damages under any law of the United States or of any State (or political subdivision thereof) with respect to the action. The preceding sentence shall not apply to damages under any law of the United States or any State relating to the civil rights of any person or persons, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. 2000e, et seq. and the Civil Rights Acts, 42 U.S.C. 1981, et seq. Nothing in this paragraph shall prevent the United States or any Attorney General of a State from bringing an action, including an action under section
15c of title
15, where such an action is otherwise authorized.
(2)
Protection for those providing information to professional review bodies
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person (whether as a witness or otherwise) providing information to a professional review body regarding the competence or professional conduct of a physician shall be held, by reason of having provided such information, to be liable in damages under any law of the United States or of any State (or political subdivision thereof) unless such information is false and the person providing it knew that such information was false.
(b)
Exception
If the Secretary has reason to believe that a health care entity has failed to report information in accordance with section
11133
(a) of this title, the Secretary shall conduct an investigation. If, after providing notice of noncompliance, an opportunity to correct the noncompliance, and an opportunity for a hearing, the Secretary determines that a health care entity has failed substantially to report information in accordance with section
11133
(a) of this title, the Secretary shall publish the name of the entity in the Federal Register. The protections of subsection (a)(1) of this section shall not apply to an entity the name of which is published in the Federal Register under the previous sentence with respect to professional review actions of the entity commenced during the 3-year period beginning 30 days after the date of publication of the name.
(c)
Treatment under State laws
(1)
Professional review actions taken on or after October 14, 1989
Except as provided in paragraph (2), subsection (a) of this section shall apply to State laws in a State only for professional review actions commenced on or after October 14, 1989.
(2)
Exceptions
(A)
State early opt-in
Subsection (a) of this section shall apply to State laws in a State for actions commenced before October 14, 1989, if the State by legislation elects such treatment.
(B)
Effective date of election
An election under State law is not effective, for purposes of,[1] for actions commenced before the effective date of the State law, which may not be earlier than the date of the enactment of that law.
[1] So in original. Probably should be “for purposes of subparagraph (A),”.