2533.6. (a) A person whose license has been revoked or suspended, or who has been placed on probation, may petition the Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology, and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board for reinstatement or modification of penalty, including modification or termination of probation, after a period of not less than the following minimum period of time has elapsed from the effective date of the decision ordering that disciplinary action:
(1) At least three years for reinstatement of a license revoked for unprofessional conduct, except that the board may, for good cause shown, specify in a revocation order that a petition for reinstatement may be filed after two years.
(2) At least two years for early termination or one year for modification of a condition of probation of three years or more.
(3) At least one year for reinstatement of a license revoked for mental or physical illness, or for modification of a condition, or termination of probation of less than three years.
(b) The petition shall be on a form provided by the board and shall state any facts and information as may be required by the board, including, but not limited to, proof of compliance with the terms and conditions of the underlying disciplinary order. The petition shall be verified by the petitioner who shall file an original and sufficient copies of the petition, together with any supporting documents, for the members of the board, the administrative law judge, and the Attorney General.
(c) The petition may be heard by the board, with the matter presided over by an administrative law judge. After a hearing on the petition, the administrative law judge shall provide a decision as determined by the board which shall be acted upon in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act.
(d) The board or the administrative law judge hearing the petition may consider all activities of the petitioner since the disciplinary action was taken, the offense for which the petitioner was disciplined, the petitioner’s activities during the time the license was in good standing, and the petitioner’s rehabilitative efforts, general reputation for truth, and professional ability. The hearing may be continued, as the board or the administrative law judge finds necessary.
(e) The administrative law judge when hearing a petition for reinstating a license, or modifying a penalty, may recommend the imposition of any terms and conditions deemed necessary.
(f) No petition shall be considered while the petitioner is under sentence for any criminal offense, including any period during which the petitioner is on court-imposed probation or parole. No petition shall be considered while there is an accusation or petition to revoke probation pending against the petitioner. The board may deny, without a hearing or argument, any petition filed pursuant to this section within a period of two years from the effective date of the prior decision following a hearing under this section.
(g) The board may deny, without a hearing or argument, any petition for termination or modification of probation filed pursuant to this section for any of the following:
(1) The petitioner has failed to comply with the terms and conditions of the disciplinary order.
(2) The board is conducting an investigation of the petitioner while they are on probation.
(3) The petitioner has a subsequent arrest that is substantially related to the qualifications, functions, or duties of the licensee or registrant and this arrest occurred while on probation.
(4) The petitioner’s probation with the board is currently tolled.
(h) Nothing in this section shall be deemed to alter Sections 822 and 823.
(Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 415, Sec. 16. (AB 2686) Effective January 1, 2023.)