Ryan Nicol
New legislation from Democratic Sen. Lauren Book would ensure physicians charged with sexual assault, possession of child pornography or homicide could no longer see patients until those charges are resolved.
The issue is personal for Book. Not only is she a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, but a Plantation doctor recently arrested on child porn charges had treated Book’s young children.
Such serious charges would normally handicap a doctor’s ability to continue practicing, either because the doctor would remain in custody or because release conditions would negate it. Michael Mizrachy, the South Florida pediatrician in question, was blocked from contacting children as a condition of his release on a $10,000 bond.
But Mizrachy is now seeking to treat children virtually, prompting Book to file her new legislation (SB 1934).
“I was horrified when my own children’s pediatrician was charged with sex crimes against kids,” Book said. “Now he wants to continue to see children via telemedicine — which is completely unimaginable and simply should not be allowed. When predatory physicians use their positions of power and trust to gain access to children, their deviant predilections and illegal actions pose a unique and targeted threat.”
Criminal defense advocates could see fault in suspending an individual’s license before a conviction. Current law does allow for a license to be suspended in these instances, but such a move must be approved by the state. Book says she has not heard back from state officials after she requested such a move.
Her legislation would require those licenses to be suspended if a pediatrician is arrested for any number of serious charges relating to sex crimes or violence.
“This is not about simple allegations of inappropriate behavior, this immediate revocation or suspension of a license should occur when those allegations rise to the level of an arrest and filed charges meaning there is at least enough evidence to warrant serious concerns,” Book added.
Weeks after Mizrachy was charged, Coral Springs doctor Stewart Bitman was also accused of sending explicit photos to a 13-year-old girl.
Florida’s 2021 Legislative Session begins Tuesday.
One comment
Ron Ogden
March 1, 2021 at 2:26 pm
““I was horrified when my own children’s pediatrician was charged with sex crimes against kids,” Book said. “Now he wants to continue to see children via telemedicine — which is completely unimaginable and simply should not be allowed.” What does she think he is going to do, show them dirty cartoons on the computer? Will the media PLEASE quit treating every Demo brain gurgle as the apotheosis of public policy in Florida?
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