Rights of licensee at hearing; authorized disciplinary action; private reprimands prohibited; orders imposing discipline deemed public records.
1. The defendant licensee must be accorded the right to appear at the hearing of a complaint conducted by the Board in person and through the representation of legal counsel. He must be given adequate opportunity to confront the witnesses against him, testify and introduce the testimony of witnesses in his behalf and submit arguments and briefs in person or through his counsel. The Board shall make and announce its decision as soon as practicable.
2. The failure of the person charged to attend his hearing or defend himself must not delay and does not void the proceedings. The Board may, for good cause shown, continue any hearing from time to time.
3. If the Board finds the person guilty as charged in the complaint, it may by order:
(a) Place the person on probation for a specified period or until further order of the Board.
(b) Administer to the person a public reprimand.
(c) Limit the practice of the person to, or by exclusion of, one or more specified branches of social work.
(d) Suspend the license of the person to practice social work for a specified period or until further order of the Board.
(e) Revoke the license of the person to practice social work.
(f) Impose a fine of not more than $5,000, which must be deposited with the State Treasurer for credit to the State General Fund.
Ê The order of the Board may contain other terms, provisions or conditions as the Board deems proper and which are not inconsistent with law.
4. The Board shall not administer a private reprimand.
5. An order that imposes discipline and the findings of fact and conclusions of law supporting that order are public records.
Last modified: February 27, 2006