(a) The board shall issue a citation to a person and to his or her employer or contractor, if, upon inspection or investigation, either upon complaint or otherwise, the following conditions are met:
(1) The board has probable cause to believe that the person is acting in the capacity of, or engaging in the practice of, a respiratory care practitioner in this state without having a license in good standing issued pursuant to this chapter.
(2) The person is not otherwise exempted from the provisions of this chapter.
(b) Each citation issued pursuant to subdivision (a) shall meet all of the following requirements:
(1) Be in writing and describe with particularity the basis of the citation.
(2) Contain an order of abatement and an assessment of a civil penalty in an amount not less than two hundred dollars ($200) nor more than fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000).
(c) A person served with a citation may appeal to the board within 15 calendar days after service of the citation with respect to any of the following:
(1) The violations alleged.
(2) The scope of the order of abatement.
(3) The amount of the civil penalty assessed.
(d) If, within 15 calendar days after service of the citation, the person cited fails to notify the board that he or she intends to appeal the citation, the citation shall be deemed a final order of the board and not subject to review by any court or agency. The board may extend the 15-day period for good cause.
(e) (1) If a person cited under this section notifies the board in a timely manner that he or she intends to contest the citation, the board shall afford an opportunity for a hearing.
(2) The board shall thereafter issue a decision, based on findings of fact, affirming, modifying, or vacating the citation, or directing other appropriate relief.
(f) With the approval of the board, the executive officer shall prescribe procedures for the issuance and appeal of a citation and procedures for a hearing under this section. The board shall adopt regulations covering the assessment of a civil penalty that shall give due consideration to the gravity of the violation, and any history of previous violations.
(g) The sanctions authorized under this section shall be separate from and in addition to, any other civil or criminal remedies.
(Added by Stats. 2002, Ch. 1150, Sec. 35. Effective January 1, 2003.)