(a) This Code section shall be known and may be cited as the "Georgia Volunteers in Health Care Specialities Act."

(b) As used in this Code section, the term:

(1) "Health care board" means that professional licensing board which licenses a health care practitioner under this title.

(2) "Health care practitioner" means a chiropractor, registered professional nurse, or podiatrist.

(3) "Health care specialty" means the practice of chiropractic, nursing, or podiatry.

(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, each health care board may issue a special license to qualifying health care practitioners whose health care specialty is licensed by that board under the terms and conditions set forth in this Code section. The special license may only be issued to a person who:

(1) Is currently licensed to practice the applicable health care specialty in any health care specialty licensing jurisdiction in the United States and whose license is in good standing; or

(2) Is retired from the practice of the health care specialty and not currently engaged in such practice either full time or part time and has, prior to retirement, maintained full licensure in good standing in the applicable health care specialty licensing jurisdiction in the United States.

(d) The special licensee shall be permitted to practice the health care specialty only in the noncompensated employ of public agencies or institutions, not for profit agencies, not for profit institutions, nonprofit corporations, or not for profit associations which provide health care specialty services only to indigent patients in areas which are underserved by that specialty or critical need population areas of the state, as determined by the board which licenses that specialty.

(e) The person applying for the special license under this Code section shall submit to the appropriate health care board a copy of his or her health care specialty degree, a copy of his or her health care specialty license in his or her current or previous licensing and regulating jurisdiction, and a notarized statement from the employing agency, institution, corporation, or association on a form prescribed by that board, whereby he or she agrees unequivocally not to receive compensation for any health care specialty services he or she may render while in possession of the special license.

(f) Examinations by the health care board, any application fees, and all licensure and renewal fees may be waived for the holder of the special license under this Code section.

(g) If, at the time application is made for the special license, the health care practitioner is not in compliance with the continuing education requirements established by the health care board for the applicable health care specialty, the health care practitioner shall be issued a nonrenewable temporary license to practice for six months provided the applicant is otherwise qualified for such license.

(h) The liability of persons practicing a health care specialty under and in compliance with a special license issued under this Code section and the liability of their employers for such practice shall be governed by Code Section 51-1-29.1, except that a podiatrist engaged in such practice and an employer thereof shall have the same immunity from liability as provided other health care practitioners under Code Section 51-1-29.1.

(i) This Code section, being in derogation of the common law, shall be strictly construed.