Weak oversight of bad doctors should worry California’s millions of patients. A negligent physician who overprescribes dangerous drugs or abuses patients faces sanctions from a state review board — but that troubling history is never directly told to those in the waiting room.

The state Senate had a chance to illuminate this dark corner of the medical profession, one that shields bad doctors and leaves patients unaware. SB1033 would have required physicians on probation to disclose the offense to patients.

The measure by Sen. Jerry Hill, a San Mateo Democrat, needed a majority of the 40-member chamber but fell short last week with 15 senators in favor and 13 against. Where were the others? They were recorded as not voting, a feature of Sacramento lawmaking that allows elected representatives to dodge an issue even if they are in the Capitol chamber. The practice, known as “taking a walk,” is used to hide from a tough choice — a dereliction of a legislator’s duty. The practical effect amounts to a no vote, denying support for a bill’s sponsor.

This parliamentary ruse denied Hill the majority he needed on a worthy public health reform. The bill aimed at a relative handful of doctors: about 600 out of 137,000 licensed in the state. A survey by Consumers Union, which favored the measure, found overwhelmingly support for public disclosure of doctors in serious professional or legal trouble. Hospitals and malpractice insurers get word about these physicians, and their patients should too.

But the powerful California Medical Association opposed the measure, saying it would waste treatment time. The state Medical Practices Board, which handles complaints against doctors, opposed it, saying its densely worded and difficult-to-navigate website notifications were enough. Neither explanation is convincing.

Public notice would have an undeniable impact, leading patients to drop an offending doctor. But under the present system, patients are virtually excluded from knowing about serious trouble, ranging from substance abuse to life-threatening negligence.

Hill is promising to bring back his measure later this year. If he does, the voters should expect every senator in attendance to cast a vote — yes or no — on SB1033.

How they voted

Voting in favor

Ben Allen, D-Santa Monica; Jim Beall, D-San Jose ; Marty Block, D-San Diego; Ed Hernandez, D-West Covina; Robert Hertzberg, D-Van Nuys; Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo ; Ben Hueso, D-Logan Heights; Ricardo Lara, D-Bell Gardens; Mark Leno, D-San Francisco ; Connie Levya, D-Chino; Mike McGuire, D-Healdsburg ; Tony Mendoza, D-Artesia; Holly Mitchell, D-Los Angeles; Fran Pavley, D-Agoura Hills; Kevin De León, D-Los Angeles.

Voting No

Joel Anderson, R-Alpine; Patricia Bates, R-Laguna Niguel; Jean Fuller, R-Bakersfield; Ted Gaines,- R-Rocklin; Cathleen Galgiani,- D-Stockton; Steve Glazer, D-Orinda; Hannah-Beth Jackson, D-Santa Barbara; Janet Nguyen, R-Garden Grove; Jim Nielsen, R-Gerber; Richard Pan, D-Sacramento; Richard Roth, D-Riverside; Jeff Stone, R-Temecula; Andy Vidak, R-Hanford.

No Recorded Vote

Tom Berryhill, R-Modesto; Anthony Cannella, R-Ceres; Isadore Hall, D-Compton, Loni Hancock, D-Berkeley ; Bob Huff, R-Diamond Bar; Carol Liu, D-La Cañada Flintridge; Bill Monning, D-Carmel; John Moorlach, R-Costa Mesa; Mike Morrell, R-Rancho Cucamonga; Sharon Runner, R-Lancaster; Bob Wieckowski, D-Fremont ; Lois Wolk, D-Davis.