§ 34-14-9 — Complaint and Hearing; Appeal; Disciplinary Actions

(a) Any person wishing to make a complaint against a licensee or apprentice under this chapter shall reduce the same to writing and file his or her complaint with the board within one year from the date of the action upon which the complaint is based. If the board investigates and determines the charges made in the complaint are sufficient to warrant a hearing to determine whether the license issued under this chapter shall be suspended or revoked, it shall make an order fixing a time and place for a hearing and require the licensee complained against to appear and defend against the complaint. The order shall have annexed thereto a copy of the complaint. The order and copy of the complaint shall be served upon the licensee at least 20 days before the date set for hearing, either personally or by registered or certified mail sent to the licensee’s last known address. Continuances or adjournment of hearing date shall be made if for good cause. At the hearing the licensee complained against may be represented by counsel. The licensee complained against and the board may take depositions in advance of hearing and after service of the complaint, and either may compel the attendance of witnesses by subpoenas issued by the board under its seal. Either party taking depositions shall give at least five days’ written notice to the other party of the time and place of such depositions, and the other party may attend, with counsel if desired, and cross-examine. Appeals from suspension or revocation may be made to the circuit court. In the event of an appeal, there shall be a trial de novo and the trial shall be before the court without the intervention of a jury.
(b) The board may discipline its licensees and apprentices by the adoption and collection of administrative fines, not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) per violation and may institute any legal proceedings necessary to effect compliance with this chapter.
(c) Any person registered under this chapter may have his or her permit or license revoked or suspended by the board, be reprimanded by the board, or be administratively fined not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) per violation by the board for any of the following causes:
(1) The conviction of a felony or a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude; the record of conviction or a certified copy thereof, certified by the clerk of the court or by the judge in whose court the conviction is had, shall be prima facie proof of such conviction.
(2) Procuring of a license by fraud or deceit.
(3) Unethical conduct, including:
a. The obtaining of any fee or the making of any sale by fraud or misrepresentation.
b. Knowingly employing, directly or indirectly, any suspended or unregistered person to perform any work covered by this chapter.
c. Using or causing or promoting the use of any advertising matter, promotional literature, testimonial, guarantee, warranty, label, brand, insignia, or any other representation, however disseminated or published, which is misleading, deceptive, or untruthful.
d. Advertising a particular model or type of hearing instrument for sale when purchasers or prospective purchasers responding to the advertisement cannot purchase the advertised model or type, where it is established that the purpose of the advertisement is to obtain prospects for the sale of a different model or type than that advertised.
e. Representing that the service or advice of a person licensed to practice medicine shall be used or made available in the selection, fitting, adjustment, maintenance, or repair of hearing instruments when that is not true, or using the words “doctor,” “clinic,” “balance clinics,” or similar words, abbreviations, or symbols which tend to connect the medical profession when such use is not accurate.
f. Habitual intemperance.
g. Gross immorality.
h. Permitting another’s use of a license.
i. Advertising a manufacturer’s name or trademark which implies a relationship with the manufacturer that does not exist.
j. Directly or indirectly giving or offering to give, or permitting or causing to be given, money or anything of value to any person who advises another in a professional capacity as an inducement to influence him or her or have him or her influence others to purchase or contract to purchase products sold or offered for sale by a hearing aid dispenser, hearing aid specialist, or apprentice, or influencing persons to refrain from dealing in the products of competitors.
(4) Conducting business while suffering from a contagious or infectious disease.
(5) Engaging in the fitting and sale of hearing instruments under a false name or alias with fraudulent intent.
(6) Selling a hearing instrument to a person who has not been given tests utilizing appropriate established procedures and instrumentation in fitting of hearing instruments, except in cases of selling replacement hearing instruments.
(7) Gross incompetence or negligence in fitting and selling hearing instruments.
(8) Violating any provision of this chapter.
(d) The board may bring an action to enjoin any person, firm, or corporation who, without being licensed or issued a permit by the board, dispenses hearing instruments in this state. The action shall be filed in the county in which such person resides or practices or in the county where the firm or corporation maintains an office or practices. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, after notice and hearing, the board may issue a cease and desist order prohibiting any person from violating this chapter by engaging in the practice of fitting, selling, or dispensing hearing instruments without a license.

Legislative History

(Acts 1971, No. 2425, p. 3858, §12; Acts 1989, No. 89-268, p. 408, §3; Acts 1991, No. 91-198, p. 365, §3; Acts 1994, No. 94-180, p. 224, §3; Act 2009-42, p. 142, §3; Act 2016-112, §1.)