(A) The appropriate section of the Ohio occupational therapy, physical therapy, and athletic trainers board shall investigate compliance with this chapter or any rule or order issued under this chapter and shall investigate alleged grounds for the suspension, revocation, or refusal to issue or renew licenses or limited permits under section 3123.47, 4755.11, 4755.47, or 4755.64 of the Revised Code. The appropriate section may subpoena witnesses and documents in connection with its investigations.
(B) Through the attorney general or an appropriate prosecuting attorney, the appropriate section may apply to an appropriate court for an order enjoining the violation of this chapter. On the filing of a verified petition, the court shall conduct a hearing on the petition and give the same preference to the proceeding as is given to all proceedings under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, irrespective of the position of the proceeding on the court's calendar. On a showing that a person has violated or is about to violate this chapter, the court shall grant an injunction, restraining order, or other order as appropriate. The injunction proceedings provided by this division are in addition to all penalties and other remedies provided in this chapter.
(C) When requested by the appropriate section, the prosecuting attorney of a county, or the village solicitor or city director of law of a municipal corporation, where a violation of this chapter allegedly occurs, shall take charge of and conduct the prosecution.
(D) The appropriate section may employ investigators who shall investigate complaints , conduct inspections, and make inquiries as in the judgment of the section are appropriate to enforce sections 3123.41 to 3123.50 of the Revised Code or this chapter. These investigators have the right to review, obtain copies, and audit the patient records and personnel files of licensees and limited permit holders at the place of business of the licensees or limited permit holders or any other place where such documents may be and shall be given access to such documents during normal business hours.
(E)
(1) Subject to division (E)(2) of this section, information and records received or generated by the board pursuant to an investigation are confidential, are not public records as defined in section 149.43 of the Revised Code, and are not subject to discovery in any civil or administrative action.
(2) For good cause, the board may disclose information gathered pursuant to an investigation to any federal, state, or local law enforcement, prosecutorial, or regulatory agency or its officers or agents engaging in an investigation the board believes is within the agency's jurisdiction. An agency that receives confidential information shall comply with the same requirements regarding confidentiality as those with which the board must comply, notwithstanding any conflicting provision of the Revised Code or procedure of the agency that applies when the agency is dealing with other information in its possession. The information may be admitted into evidence in a criminal trial in accordance with the Rules of Evidence, or in an administrative hearing conducted by an agency, but the court or agency shall require that appropriate measures be taken to ensure that confidentiality is maintained with respect to any part of the information that contains names or other identifying information about patients, complainants, or others whose confidentiality was protected by the board when the information was in the board's possession. Measures to ensure confidentiality that may be taken by the court or agency include sealing its records or redacting specific information from its records.
(F) The appropriate section shall conduct hearings, keep records and minutes, and enforce the relevant sections of this chapter.
(G) Each section of the board shall publish and make available, upon request and for a fee not to exceed the actual cost of printing and mailing, the licensure standards prescribed by the relevant sections of this chapter and the Administrative Code.
(H) The board shall submit to the governor and to the general assembly each year a report of all its official actions during the preceding year, together with any recommendations and findings with regard to the status of the professions of physical therapy , occupational therapy, and athletic training.
Effective Date: 11-21-1977; 04-06-2007
Section: 4755.01 4755.02 4755.03 4755.031 4755.04 4755.05 4755.06 4755.061 4755.07 4755.08 4755.09 4755.10 4755.11 4755.111 4755.12 NextLast modified: October 10, 2016