# Italian healthcare professional legislative reforms

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/italian-healthcare-professional-legislative-reforms
> Updated: 2026-10-28T13:10:50.000Z. Sources: 11. Developments: 2.

The Italian legislature is advancing several measures to reform the healthcare sector. The Chamber of Deputies has approved a reform bill aimed at reorganizing professional orders and modifying the civil and criminal liability of medical practitioners. This legislation, which now moves to the Senate, includes amendments to the penal code regarding involuntary manslaughter and personal injury. Under the new rules, professionals will only be held criminally liable for serious negligence if they fail to adhere to clinical guidelines or established good practices. The law also introduces criteria for assessing fault, such as staff shortages, resource scarcity, and organizational deficiencies.

Additionally, the bill includes an amendment allowing healthcare workers who committed non-intentional acts during the COVID-19 emergency to apply for re-registration with their professional boards within 60 days of the law’s enactment, provided they meet specific legal criteria.

Parallel to these reforms, the Lombardy Regional Council has introduced Bill No. 985. This proposal seeks to grant National Health Service (SSN) employees, including nurses, the permanent right to engage in private practice outside of official working hours. The bill aims to transform temporary derogations into a stable legal right, allowing professionals to work in private facilities, at patients’ homes, or within public institutions through intramurary arrangements. Proponents suggest this could expand opportunities in home care and territorial assistance to address the needs of an aging population, provided safeguards prevent conflicts of interest.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-28: Italy Chamber approves healthcare professional reform

Italy's Chamber of Deputies approved a healthcare reform bill that modifies criminal and civil liability for medical professionals and provides a pathway for re-registration for certain pandemic-era cases.

8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italy-chamber-approves-healthcare-professions-reform-bill

### 2026-10-27: Italy proposes new bill to allow healthcare professionals private practice

Italy's Bill No. 985 proposes allowing SSN nurses and healthcare professionals to engage in private practice outside of service hours.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italy-proposes-new-bill-to-allow-healthcare-professionals-private-practice

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Cite as: Italian healthcare professional legislative reforms. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/italian-healthcare-professional-legislative-reforms