§ 58-31b-503 — Penalties and administrative actions for unlawful conduct and unprofessional conduct.

(1) Any person who violates the unlawful conduct provision specifically defined in Subsection 58-1-501(1)(a) is guilty of a third degree felony.
(2) Any person who violates any of the unlawful conduct provisions specifically defined in Subsections 58-1-501(1)(b) through (f) and 58-31b-501(1)(d) is guilty of a class A misdemeanor.
(3) Any person who violates any of the unlawful conduct provisions specifically defined in this chapter and not set forth in Subsection (1) or (2) is guilty of a class B misdemeanor.
(4) (4)(a) Subject to Subsection (6) and in accordance with Section 58-31b-401, for acts of unprofessional or unlawful conduct, the division may:
(4)(a)(i) assess administrative penalties; and
(4)(a)(ii) take any other appropriate administrative action.
(4)(b) An administrative penalty imposed pursuant to this section shall be deposited into the "Nurse Education and Enforcement Account" as provided in Section 58-31b-103.
(5) If a licensee has been convicted of violating Section 58-31b-501 prior to an administrative finding of a violation of the same section, the licensee may not be assessed an administrative fine under this chapter for the same offense for which the conviction was obtained.
(6) (6)(a) If upon inspection or investigation, the division concludes that a person has violated the provisions of Section 58-31b-401, 58-31b-501, or 58-31b-502, Chapter 1, Division of Professional Licensing Act, Chapter 37, Utah Controlled Substances Act, or any rule or order issued with respect to these provisions, and that disciplinary action is appropriate, the director or the director's designee from within the division shall:
(6)(a)(i) promptly issue a citation to the person according to this chapter and any pertinent administrative rules;
(6)(a)(ii) attempt to negotiate a stipulated settlement; or
(6)(a)(iii) notify the person to appear before an adjudicative proceeding conducted under Title 63G, Chapter 4, Administrative Procedures Act.
(6)(b) Any person who is in violation of a provision described in Subsection (6)(a), as evidenced by an uncontested citation, a stipulated settlement, or a finding of violation in an adjudicative proceeding may be assessed a fine:
(6)(b)(i) pursuant to this Subsection (6) of up to $10,000 per single violation or up to $2,000 per day of ongoing violation, whichever is greater, in accordance with a fine schedule established by rule; and
(6)(b)(ii) in addition to or in lieu of the fine imposed under Subsection (6)(b)(i), be ordered to cease and desist from violating a provision of Sections 58-31b-501 and 58-31b-502, Chapter 1, Division of Professional Licensing Act, Chapter 37, Utah Controlled Substances Act, or any rule or order issued with respect to those provisions.
(6)(c) Except for an administrative fine and a cease and desist order, the licensure sanctions cited in Section 58-31b-401 may not be assessed through a citation.
(6)(d) Each citation issued under this section shall:
(6)(d)(i) be in writing; and
(6)(d)(ii) clearly describe or explain:

(6)(d)(ii)(A) the nature of the violation, including a reference to the provision of the chapter, rule, or order alleged to have been violated;
(6)(d)(ii)(B) that the recipient must notify the division in writing within 20 calendar days of service of the citation in order to contest the citation at a hearing conducted under Title 63G, Chapter 4, Administrative Procedures Act; and
(6)(d)(ii)(C) the consequences of failure to timely contest the citation or to make payment of any fines assessed by the citation within the time specified in the citation; and
(6)(d)(iii) be served upon any person upon whom a summons may be served:

(6)(d)(iii)(A) in accordance with the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure;
(6)(d)(iii)(B) personally or upon the person's agent by a division investigator or by any person specially designated by the director; or
(6)(d)(iii)(C) by mail.
(6)(e) If within 20 calendar days from the service of a citation, the person to whom the citation was issued fails to request a hearing to contest the citation, the citation becomes the final order of the division and is not subject to further agency review. The period to contest the citation may be extended by the division for cause.
(6)(f) The division may refuse to issue or renew, suspend, revoke, or place on probation the license of a licensee who fails to comply with the citation after it becomes final.
(6)(g) The failure of an applicant for licensure to comply with a citation after it becomes final is a ground for denial of license.
(6)(h) No citation may be issued under this section after the expiration of one year following the date on which the violation that is the subject of the citation is reported to the division.
(7) (7)(a) The director may collect a penalty that is not paid by:
(7)(a)(i) referring the matter to a collection agency; or
(7)(a)(ii) bringing an action in the district court of the county where the person against whom the penalty is imposed resides or in the county where the office of the director is located.
(7)(b) A county attorney or the attorney general of the state shall provide legal assistance and advice to the director in an action to collect a penalty.
(7)(c) A court shall award reasonable attorney fees and costs to the prevailing party in an action brought by the division to collect a penalty.

Legislative History

Amended by Chapter 415, 2022 General Session