§ 5-34-25. Procedure for discipline of licensees.
(a) Upon filing a timely sworn complaint within a time period the board considers reasonable with the board charging a person with having been guilty of any of the actions specified in § 5-34-24, two (2) or more members of the board of nurse registration and nursing education immediately shall investigate those charges, or the board, after investigation, may institute charges.
(b) In the event that investigation, in the opinion of the board, reveals reasonable grounds for believing the applicant or licensee is guilty of the charges, the board shall notify the licensee of the charges and the time and place for a hearing at least twenty (20) days prior to the time fixed for the hearing. At the hearing, the accused has the right to appear personally, or by counsel, or both, to produce witnesses, and to have subpoenas issued by the board. The attendance of witnesses and the production of books, documents, and papers at the hearing may be compelled by subpoenas issued by the board, which shall be served in accordance with the law. At the hearing, the board shall administer oaths that may be necessary for the proper conduct of the hearing. The board is not bound by the strict rules of procedure or by the laws of evidence in the conduct of its proceedings, but the determination shall be based upon sufficient legal evidence to sustain it. The board shall complete the investigation of each complaint and issue a decision within six (6) months of the receipt of the complaint. The board may extend the time for issuing its decision beyond the initial six-month (6) period in documented cases in which delays in the process are the direct result of requests or actions by the accused and/or his or her representative(s) or other good cause. The board, on a case-by-case basis, for good cause shown in writing, may extend the time for issuing its decision. If the accused is found guilty of the charges, the board may revoke, suspend, or otherwise discipline a licensee.
(c) All hearings held under this section shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of chapter 35 of title 42, “administrative procedures act.”
History of Section.P.L. 1982, ch. 328, § 2; P.L. 1999, ch. 187, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 206, § 1; P.L. 2003, ch. 125, § 2; P.L. 2003, ch. 138, § 2.
Structure Rhode Island General Laws
Title 5 - Businesses and Professions
Section 5-34-1. - Legislative intent.
Section 5-34-1.1. - Title of act.
Section 5-34-2. - License and registration required to practice nursing or use title.
Section 5-34-3. - Definitions.
Section 5-34-5. - Board of nursing — Qualifications of members.
Section 5-34-6. - Board of nursing — Organization — Meetings.
Section 5-34-7. - Board of nursing — General powers.
Section 5-34-8. - Board of nursing — Compensation of members.
Section 5-34-9. - Register of nurses — Records — Issuance of licenses.
Section 5-34-10. - Qualifications of professional nurse applicants.
Section 5-34-11. - Licensing of professional nurses.
Section 5-34-12. - Application fee for professional nurses.
Section 5-34-13. - Right to use professional nurse title.
Section 5-34-14. - Qualifications of practical nurse applicants.
Section 5-34-15. - Licensing of practical nurses.
Section 5-34-16. - Application fee for practical nurse licensure.
Section 5-34-17. - Right to use practical nurse title.
Section 5-34-18. - Signature on licenses for nursing.
Section 5-34-19. - Expiration and renewal of licenses.
Section 5-34-19.1. - Applications to include data on race and ethnic background.
Section 5-34-20. - Transfer to inactive list — Reinstatement.
Section 5-34-22. - [Repealed.]
Section 5-34-23. - [Repealed.]
Section 5-34-24. - Grounds for discipline of licensees.
Section 5-34-24.1. - Nondisciplinary alternative.
Section 5-34-24.2. - Immunity.
Section 5-34-24.3. - [Repealed.]
Section 5-34-24.4. - [Repealed.]
Section 5-34-25. - Procedure for discipline of licensees.
Section 5-34-26. - Grounds for discipline without a hearing.
Section 5-34-27. - [Repealed.]
Section 5-34-28. - Appeals from board.
Section 5-34-29. - Penalty for violations.
Section 5-34-30. - Injunction of violations.
Section 5-34-31. - Practices and persons exempt.
Section 5-34-31.1. - Practices and persons exempt — COVID-19. [Expires June 30, 2022.]
Section 5-34-32. - Enforcement of chapter.
Section 5-34-33. - Severability.
Section 5-34-34. - Immunity from liability for gratuitous emergency assistance.
Section 5-34-35. - [Repealed.]
Section 5-34-36. - [Repealed.]
Section 5-34-37. - Application fee for certified registered nurse practitioners.
Section 5-34-38. - Right to use certified registered nurse practitioner title.
Section 5-34-39. - [Repealed.]
Section 5-34-40. - Advanced practice nurse advisory committee.
Section 5-34-40.1. - [Repealed.]
Section 5-34-40.2. - [Repealed.]
Section 5-34-40.3. - [Repealed.]
Section 5-34-40.4. - [Repealed.]
Section 5-34-41. - [Repealed.]
Section 5-34-42. - Global signature authority of certified registered nurse practitioners.
Section 5-34-43. - Criminal records review.
Section 5-34-44. - Advanced practice registered nurses as independent practitioners.
Section 5-34-45. - Licensure of APRNs.
Section 5-34-46. - Status of current licensees.
Section 5-34-47. - Titles and abbreviations.