Delaware Administrative Code
Title 24 - Regulated Professions and Occupations
Department of State
Division of Professional Regulation
500 - Board of Podiatry
Section 500-7.0 - Grounds for Discipline and Hearing Procedures

7.1.1 Advertising - communications to the public must be accurate and not convey false, untrue, deceptive, or misleading information. Licensees shall provide truthful and accurate representations of their credentials, training, experience, or ability. Licensees shall not communicate claims of superiority that cannot be substantiated. Violation of these standards is an act of consumer fraud or deception.

7.2.1 A copy of the written complaint shall be forwarded to the administrative assistant for the Board. At the next regularly scheduled Board meeting, a contact person for the Board shall be appointed and a copy of the written complaint given to that person.

7.2.2 The contact person appointed by the Board shall maintain strict confidentiality with respect to the contents of the complaint and shall not discuss the matter with other Board members or with the public. The contact person shall maintain contact with the investigator or Deputy Attorney General assigned to the case regarding the progress of the investigation.

7.2.3 In the instance when the case is being closed by the Division, the contact person shall report the facts and conclusions to the Board without revealing the identities of the parties involved. No vote of the Board is necessary to close the case.

7.2.4 If a hearing has been requested by the Deputy Attorney General, a copy of these Rules and Regulations shall be provided to the respondent upon request. The notice of hearing shall fully comply with 29 Del.C. § 10122 and 10131 pertaining to the requirements of the notice of proceedings. All notices shall be sent to the respondent's address as reflected in the Board's records.

7.2.5 At any disciplinary hearing, the respondent shall have the right to appear in person or be represented by counsel, or both. The Respondent shall have the right to produce evidence and witnesses on his or her behalf and to cross examine witnesses. The Respondent shall be entitled to the issuance of subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents on his or her behalf.

7.2.6 No less than 10 days prior to the date set for a disciplinary hearing, the Department of Justice and the respondent shall submit to the Board and to each other, a list of the witnesses they intend to call at the hearing. Witnesses not listed shall be permitted to testify only upon a showing of reasonable cause for such omission.

7.2.7 If the respondent fails to appear at a disciplinary hearing after receiving proper notice, the Board may proceed to hear and determine the validity of the charges against the respondent.

7.3.1 The Board may administer oaths, take testimony, hear proofs and receive exhibits into evidence at any hearing. All testimony at any hearing shall be under oath.

7.3.2 Strict rules of evidence shall not apply. All evidence having probative value commonly accepted by reasonably prudent people in the conduct of their affairs shall be admitted.

7.3.3 An attorney representing a party in a hearing or matter before the Board shall notify the Board of the representation in writing as soon as practicable.

7.3.4 Requests for postponements of any matter scheduled before the Board shall be submitted to the Board's office in writing no less than three (3) days before the date scheduled for the hearing. Absent a showing of exceptional hardship, there shall be a maximum of one postponement allowed to each party to any hearing.

7.3.5 A complaint shall be deemed to "have merit" and the Board may impose disciplinary sanctions against the licensee if a majority of the members of the Board find, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the respondent has committed the act(s) of which he or she is accused and that those act(s) constitute grounds for discipline.