Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 3, September 1, 2024
RELATES TO:
KRS
309.304(7),
309.316,
309.318
NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY:
KRS
309.316(2) authorizes the
board to establish procedures for receiving and investigating complaints.
KRS
309.318 delineates the causes for which
disciplinary action may be taken against a licensee. This administrative
regulation establishes procedures for the filing, evaluation, and disposition
of administrative complaints.
Section
1. Receipt of Complaints.
(1) A
complaint:
(a) May be submitted by an:
1. Individual;
2. Organization; or
3. Entity.
(b) Shall:
1. Be in writing or contained on a videotape
or digital media; and
2. Include
the signature or stated name, address, and telephone or videophone number of
the person submitting the complaint; and
(c) May be filed by the board or board member
based upon information in its possession.
(2) Upon receipt of the complaint a copy of
the complaint shall be sent to the licensee named in the complaint along with a
request for the licensee's response to the complaint. The individual shall be
allowed a period of twenty (20) days from the date of receipt to submit a
written, videotaped, or other digital media response.
Section 2. Initial Review.
(1) After the receipt of a complaint and the
expiration of the period for the licensee's response, the case manager or the
complaint screening committee shall consider the complaint, the licensee's
response, and any other relevant material available and make a recommendation
to the board. The board shall determine whether there is enough evidence to
warrant a formal investigation of the complaint.
(2) If the board determines before formal
investigation that a complaint is without merit, it shall:
(a) Dismiss the complaint; and
(b) Notify the complainant and licensee of
the board's decision.
(3) If the board determines that a complaint
warrants a formal investigation, it shall:
(a)
Authorize an investigation into the matter; and
(b) Order a report to be made to the case
manager or the complaint screening committee at the earliest
opportunity.
Section
3. Results of Formal Investigation; Board Decision on Hearing.
(1) Upon completion of the formal
investigation, the investigator shall submit a written report to the case
manager or the complaint screening committee of the facts regarding the
complaint. The case manager or the complaint screening committee shall review
the investigative report and make a recommendation to the board. The board
shall determine whether there has been a prima facie violation of
KRS
309.300 to
309.319 or the
administrative regulations promulgated thereunder and if a formal complaint
should be filed.
(2) If the board
determines that a complaint does not warrant issuance of a formal complaint, it
shall:
(a) Dismiss the complaint;
and
(b) Notify the complainant and
respondent of the board's decision.
(3) If the board determines that a violation
has occurred but is not serious, the board may issue a written admonishment to
the licensee in accordance with
KRS
309.316(4).
(4) If the board determines that a complaint
warrants the issuance of a formal complaint against a respondent, the board
attorney in conjunction with the case manager or the complaint screening
committee shall prepare a formal complaint which states clearly the charge or
charges to be considered at the hearing. The formal complaint shall be reviewed
by the board and, if approved, signed by the chairman and served upon the
individual as required by KRS Chapter 13B.
(5) If the board determines that a person may
be in violation of
KRS
309.301(1), it shall:
(a) Order the individual to cease and desist
from further violations of
KRS
309.301(1);
(b) Forward information to the county
attorney of the county of residence of the person allegedly violating
KRS
309.301(1) with a request
that appropriate action be taken under
KRS 309.319; or
(c) Initiate action in Franklin Circuit Court
for injunctive relief to stop the violation of
KRS
309.301(1) pursuant to
KRS
309.304(7).
Section 4. Settlement
by Informal Proceedings.
(1) The board through
counsel and the case manager or the complaint screening committee may, at any
time during this process, enter into informal proceedings with the individual
who is the subject of the complaint for the purpose of appropriately dispensing
with the matter.
(2) An agreed
order or settlement reached through this process shall be approved by the board
and signed by the individual who is the subject of the complaint and the
chairman.
(3) The board may employ
mediation as a method of resolving the matter informally.
Section 5. Notice and Service of Process. A
notice required by
KRS
309.300 to
309.319 or this
administrative regulation shall be issued pursuant to KRS Chapter
13B.
Section 6. Notification. The
board shall make public:
(1) Its final order
in a disciplinary action under
KRS
309.316(3); and
(2) An action to restrain or enjoin a
violation of
KRS
309.301(1).
Section 7. Incorporation by
Reference.
(1) "Complaint Form", 2011, is
incorporated by reference.
(2) This
material may be inspected, copied, or obtained, subject to applicable copyright
law, at the Division of Occupations and Professions, 911 Leawood Drive,
Frankfort, Kentucky 40601, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY:
KRS
309.304(3),
309.316(2)
The
amended version of this section by;
51
Ky.R. 105; eff. 6/18/2024 is not yet
available.