Medical Occupations - As enacted, authorizes a healthcare provider’s licensing board to issue a license subject to a private advocacy order that requires the applicant to participate in a peer assistance program approved by the board; designates private advocacy orders as confidential and not public records, as long as the provider does not fail to maintain participation in the peer assistance program and requires the initiation of disciplinary proceedings by the board. - Amends TCA Title 63.

SB 359 allows Tennessee healthcare licensing boards to issue licenses with a "private advocacy order," requiring applicants to participate in a board-approved peer assistance program instead of facing immediate disciplinary action. This applies directly to healthcare professionals (like doctors or nurses) whose medical conditions may impair their ability to practice competently. The key provision makes these orders confidential and non-public records, but if a provider fails to maintain participation, the order becomes public and triggers disciplinary proceedings. The law amends Tennessee Code Annotated Title 63 to create this alternative to traditional licensing restrictions.