BILL NO. 77

(as introduced)

4th Session, 61st General Assembly
Nova Scotia
61 Elizabeth II, 2012

Government Bill

Medical Society Act
(amended)

The Honourable Maureen MacDonald
Minister of Health and Wellness

First Reading: May 3, 2012

(Explanatory Notes)

Second Reading: May 4, 2012

Third Reading: May 8, 2012 (LINK TO BILL AS PASSED)

Clause 1 changes the long title of the Medical Society Act.

Clause 2 changes the short title of the Medical Society Act.

Clause 3 changes the definition of "Society".

Clause 4 changes the name of The Medical Society of Nova Scotia to Doctors Nova Scotia.

Clause 5

(a) makes membership in Doctors Nova Scotia mandatory for medical practitioners;

(b) allows persons other than medical practitioners to become members of Doctors Nova Scotia; and

(c) allows Doctors Nova Scotia to withdraw, suspend, withhold or terminate any right, privilege or benefit of a member upon non-payment of fees.

1 The title of Chapter 12 of the Acts of 1995-96, the Medical Society Act, is changed from "An Act to Continue The Medical Society of Nova Scotia" to "An Act Respecting Doctors Nova Scotia".

2 Section 1 of Chapter 12 is amended by striking out "Medical Society" in the first line and substituting "Doctors Nova Scotia".

3 Section 2 of Chapter 12 is amended by striking out "The Medical Society of Nova Scotia" in the first and second lines and substituting "Doctors Nova Scotia".

4 Section 3 of Chapter 12 is amended by adding "under the name Doctors Nova Scotia" immediately after "corporate" in the last line.

5 (1) Subsection 8(1) of Chapter 12 is repealed and the following subsection substituted:

(1) A person, who is a medical practitioner as defined by the Medical Act, or such other person who may be admitted by the Society, shall be a member of the Society and have full voting rights and benefits therein upon payment of the prescribed fees.

(3) The Society may withdraw, suspend, withhold or terminate any right, privilege or benefit to which a member of the Society is entitled, including the right to receive any payment owed by the Society to the member, if the member fails to pay the prescribed fees, until all such fees are paid by the member to the Society .

6 Section 5 comes into force on such day as the Governor in Council orders and declares by proclamation.