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S.B. 83 Enrolled

                 

OCCUPATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL

                 
LICENSING MODIFICATIONS

                 
2003 GENERAL SESSION

                 
STATE OF UTAH

                 
Sponsor: Lyle W. Hillyard

                  This act modifies provisions of the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing
                  Act related to reinstatement of licenses and diversion procedures. The act provides that
                  for licenses reinstated no later than 120 days after expiration the reinstatement goes back
                  to the date of expiration. The act allows diversion in licensee disciplinary matters as well
                  as for self-referrals. The act defines and provides for the extension and termination of a
                  diversion agreement. The act details the effect of a diversion agreement on charges
                  against a licensee of unprofessional or unlawful conduct that are under the division
                  director's jurisdiction. The act establishes a procedure to be followed by the division in
                  the event the licensee makes an intentional misrepresentation of fact in the stipulation of
                  facts part of the diversion agreement.
                  This act affects sections of Utah Code Annotated 1953 as follows:
                  AMENDS:
                      58-1-308, as last amended by Chapter 313, Laws of Utah 1994
                      58-1-404, as last amended by Chapter 234, Laws of Utah 1999
                  Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
                      Section 1. Section 58-1-308 is amended to read:
                       58-1-308. Term of license -- Expiration of license -- Renewal of license --
                  Reinstatement of license -- Application procedures.
                      (1) (a) Each license issued under this title shall be issued in accordance with a two-year
                  renewal cycle established by rule.
                      (b) A renewal period may be extended or shortened by as much as one year to maintain
                  established renewal cycles or to change an established renewal cycle.
                      (2) (a) The expiration date of a license shall be shown on the license.
                      (b) A license that is not renewed prior to the expiration date shown on the license


                  automatically expires.
                      [(a)] (c) A license automatically expires prior to the expiration date shown on the license
                  upon the death of a licensee who is a natural person, or upon the dissolution of a licensee that is a
                  partnership, corporation, or other business entity.
                      [(b)] (d) If the existence of a dissolved partnership, corporation, or other business entity
                  is reinstated prior to the expiration date shown upon the entity's expired license issued by the
                  division, the division shall, upon written application, reinstate the applicant's license, unless it
                  finds that the applicant no longer meets the qualifications for licensure.
                      [(c)] (e) Expiration of licensure is not an adjudicative proceeding under Title 63, Chapter
                  46b, Administrative Procedures Act.
                      (3) (a) The division shall notify each licensee in accordance with procedures established
                  by rule that the licensee's license is due for renewal and that unless an application for renewal is
                  received by the division by the expiration date shown on the license, together with the
                  appropriate renewal fee and documentation showing completion of or compliance with renewal
                  qualifications, the license will not be renewed.
                      (b) Examples of renewal qualifications which by statute or rule the division may require
                  the licensee to document completion of or compliance with include:
                      (i) continuing education;
                      (ii) continuing competency;
                      (iii) quality assurance;
                      (iv) utilization plan and protocol;
                      (v) financial responsibility;
                      (vi) certification renewal; and
                      (vii) calibration of equipment.
                      (4) (a) (i) An application for renewal that complies with Subsection (3) is complete.
                      (ii) A renewed license shall be issued to applicants who submit a complete application,
                  unless it is apparent to the division that the applicant no longer meets the qualifications for
                  continued licensure.

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                      (b) (i) The division may evaluate or verify documentation showing completion of or
                  compliance with renewal requirements on an entire population or a random sample basis, and
                  may be assisted by advisory peer committees.
                      (ii) If necessary, the division may complete its evaluation or verification subsequent to
                  renewal and, if appropriate, pursue action to suspend or revoke the license of a licensee who no
                  longer meets the qualifications for continued licensure.
                      (c) The application procedures specified in Subsection 58-1-301 (2), apply to renewal
                  applications to the extent they are not in conflict with this section.
                      (5) (a) Any license that is not renewed may be reinstated at any time within two years
                  after nonrenewal upon submission of an application for reinstatement, payment of the renewal
                  fee together with a reinstatement fee determined by the department under Section 63-38-3.2 , and
                  upon submission of documentation showing completion of or compliance with renewal
                  qualifications.
                      (b) The application procedures specified in Subsection 58-1-301 (2) apply to the
                  reinstatement applications to the extent they are not in conflict with this section.
                      (c) Except as otherwise provided by rule, a license that is reinstated no later than 120
                  days after it expires shall be retroactively reinstated to the date it expired.
                      (6) (a) If not reinstated within two years, the holder may obtain a license only if he meets
                  requirements provided by the division by rule or by statute for a new license.
                      (b) Each licensee under this title who has been active in the licensed occupation or
                  profession while in the full-time employ of the United States government or under license to
                  practice that occupation or profession in any other state or territory of the United States may
                  reinstate his license without taking an examination by submitting an application for
                  reinstatement, paying the current annual renewal fee and the reinstatement fee, and submitting
                  documentation showing completion of or compliance with any renewal qualifications at any time
                  within six months after reestablishing domicile within Utah or terminating full-time government
                  service.
                      Section 2. Section 58-1-404 is amended to read:

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                       58-1-404. Diversion -- Procedure.
                      (1) As used in this section, "diversion" means suspending action to discipline a licensee
                  who is or could be charged in a Notice of Agency Action with certain offenses within the
                  category of unprofessional or unlawful conduct on the condition that the licensee agrees to
                  participate in an educational or rehabilitation program or fulfill some other condition.
                      (2) (a) (i) The director may establish, as circumstances require, a diversion advisory
                  committee for each occupation or profession or similar groups of occupations or professions
                  licensed by the division.
                      (ii) The committees shall assist the director in the administration of this section.
                      (b) (i) Each committee shall consist of at least three [or more] licensees from the same or
                  similar occupation or profession as the person whose conduct is the subject of the committee's
                  consideration. [The]
                      (ii) The director shall appoint the members of a diversion advisory committee [shall be
                  appointed by the director] from nominations submitted by the corresponding board established
                  for the same or similar occupation or profession under Section 58-1-201 or from other qualified
                  nominees developed by or submitted to the division.
                      (iii) Committee members may not serve concurrently as members of the corresponding
                  board.
                      (iv) Committee members shall serve voluntarily without remuneration.
                      (v) The director may:
                      (A) dissolve any diversion advisory committee[,];
                      (B) remove or request the replacement of any member of a committee[,]; and
                      (C) establish any procedure that is necessary and proper for a committee's administration.
                      (3) The director may, after consultation with the appropriate diversion advisory
                  committee and by written agreement with the licensee, divert the licensee to a diversion
                  program[,]:
                      (a) at any time after receipt by the division of a complaint[, prior to notifying a licensee
                  that formal disciplinary action for unprofessional conduct is being considered against the

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                  licensee, or prior to the conclusion of a hearing under Section 58-1-108 .] against the licensee
                  when no adjudicative proceeding has been commenced;
                      (b) at any time prior to the conclusion of a hearing under Section 63-46b-8 when an
                  adjudicative proceeding has been commenced against the licensee; or
                      (c) after a self-referral by a licensee who is not the subject of a current investigation,
                  complaint, or adjudicative proceeding.
                      (4) [The] (a) In accordance with Title 63, Chapter 46a, Utah Administrative Rulemaking
                  Act, the division shall define by rule the particular offenses within the category of unprofessional
                  or unlawful conduct which may be subject to diversion.
                      (b) A licensee may be eligible for a diversion program only once for the same or similar
                  offense, whether the diversion program was in this state or another jurisdiction, and is not
                  eligible if previously disciplined by the division, by a licensing agency of another state, or by a
                  federal government agency for the same or a similar offense. [Diversion programs may not be
                  longer than]
                      (c) The term of a diversion agreement shall be five years or less, but may be extended for
                  an additional period of time as agreed to by the parties in writing.
                      (d) A decision by the director not to divert a licensee is not subject to appeal or judicial
                  review.
                      (5) A licensee may be represented by counsel:
                      (a) during the negotiations for diversion[,];
                      (b) at the time of the execution of the diversion agreement[,]; and
                      (c) at any hearing before the director relating to a diversion program.
                      [(6) Any diversion agreement entered into between the division and the licensee shall
                  contain a full detailed statement of the requirements agreed to by the licensee and the reasons for
                  diversion.]
                      [(7) A diversion agreement may not be approved unless the licensee in the agreement
                  knowingly and intelligently waives the right to a hearing under Section 58-1-108 .]
                      [(8) The director shall dismiss the charges against a licensee who has completed the

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                  requirements of his diversion agreement. The licensee may not thereafter be subject to
                  disciplinary action for the conduct involved.]
                      [(9) Diversion is not a determination that charges have been proven. If the charges are
                  dismissed following diversion, the matter shall be treated as if the charge had never been filed,
                  except the fact that a licensee has completed a diversion program and the terms and conditions of
                  the diversion program may be considered by the division in determining appropriate disciplinary
                  action to be taken in the event the licensee is charged in the future with the same or a similar
                  offense. No reporting or release of information regarding the diversion program of an individual
                  licensee or the fact that charges were filed may be made to anyone outside the division. The
                  licensee may not be required to report to any person, agency, or corporation the fact that he has
                  been subject to a diversion program if the licensee successfully completes the diversion program.
                  Negotiations or hearings regarding diversion may not be subject to the requirements of Title 52,
                  Chapter 4, Open and Public Meetings.]
                      [(10) If, during the course of the diversion of a licensee, information is brought to the
                  attention of the director that the licensee has violated the diversion agreement, and if it appears in
                  the best interest of the public to proceed with the charges, the director after consultation with the
                  diversion advisory committee, shall cause to be served on the licensee an order to show cause
                  specifying the facts relied upon by the director to terminate diversion and which sets a time and
                  place for a hearing to determine whether or not the licensee has violated the diversion agreement.
                  If, after the hearing, the director finds that the licensee has failed to comply with any terms or
                  conditions of the diversion agreement, the director shall proceed with the charges against the
                  licensee which resulted in the diversion agreement plus any additional charges of unprofessional
                  conduct arising from a violation of the diversion agreement.]
                      [(11) The administrative statute of limitations for taking disciplinary action described in
                  Subsection 58-1-401 (5) shall be tolled during a diversion program.]
                      (6) (a) As used in this section, "diversion agreement" means a written agreement between
                  the division, through its director, and the licensee, which specifies formal terms and conditions
                  the licensee must fulfill in order to comply with the diversion program.

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                      (b) (i) A diversion agreement shall contain a full detailed statement of the requirements
                  agreed to by the licensee and a full detailed stipulation of the facts upon which the diversion
                  agreement is premised.
                      (ii) The facts stipulated in the diversion agreement shall constitute binding admissions of
                  the licensee:
                      (A) in any proceeding under Subsection (6)(c) or (6)(d) to terminate the diversion
                  agreement and impose disciplinary sanctions against the licensee; and
                      (B) in any disciplinary proceeding based on unprofessional or unlawful conduct that is
                  not the basis of the diversion agreement.
                      (c) The diversion agreement shall provide that if the licensee makes an intentional
                  material misrepresentation of fact in the stipulation of facts contained in the diversion agreement,
                  the director shall initiate the procedures set forth in Subsection (13) to terminate the diversion
                  agreement and issue an order of license revocation.
                      (d) (i) The diversion agreement shall provide that if the licensee fails to comply with its
                  terms, the director shall initiate the procedures set forth in Subsection (14) to terminate the
                  diversion agreement and issue an order of license suspension, which shall be stayed in favor of
                  an order of probation having the same terms as those which comprised the diversion agreement.
                      (ii) The division may waive and not include as probationary requirements any terms of
                  the diversion agreement it does not consider necessary to protect the public.
                      (iii) The term of the order of probation shall be as provided in Subsection (14)(c)(ii).
                      (e) The division director may not approve a diversion agreement unless the licensee, as
                  part of the diversion agreement:
                      (i) knowingly and intelligently waives the right to a hearing under Title 63, Chapter 46b,
                  Administrative Procedures Act, for the conduct upon which the diversion agreement was
                  premised;
                      (ii) agrees to be subject to the procedures and remedies set forth in this section;
                      (iii) acknowledges an understanding of the consequences of making an intentional
                  misrepresentation of fact in the stipulation of facts contained in the diversion agreement; and

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                      (iv) acknowledges an understanding of the consequences of failing to comply with the
                  terms of the diversion agreement.
                      (7) (a) If the division and the licensee enter into a diversion agreement after the division
                  has commenced an adjudicative proceeding against the licensee, the director shall stay that
                  proceeding pending completion of the diversion agreement.
                      (b) The order staying the adjudicative proceeding shall be filed in that proceeding and
                  may reference the diversion agreement.
                      (8) (a) Upon successful completion of a diversion agreement, the director shall dismiss
                  any charges under the director's jurisdiction of unprofessional or unlawful conduct that were filed
                  against the licensee.
                      (b) Whether or not an adjudicative proceeding had been commenced against the licensee,
                  the division may not thereafter subject the licensee to disciplinary action for the conduct which
                  formed the basis of the completed diversion agreement.
                      (c) Neither the execution of a diversion agreement nor the dismissal of filed charges
                  constitute disciplinary action, and no report of either may be made to disciplinary databases.
                      (d) The division may consider the completion of a diversion program and the contents of
                  the diversion agreement in determining the appropriate disciplinary action if the licensee is
                  charged in the future with the same or similar conduct.
                      (e) The order of dismissal shall be filed in the adjudicative proceeding in which the
                  misconduct was charged and may reference the diversion agreement.
                      (9) (a) Acceptance of the licensee into diversion does not preclude the division from
                  investigating or continuing to investigate the licensee for any unlawful or unprofessional conduct
                  committed before, during, or after participation in the diversion program.
                      (b) Acceptance of the licensee into diversion does not preclude the division from taking
                  disciplinary action or continuing to take disciplinary action against the licensee for unlawful or
                  unprofessional conduct committed before, during, or after participation in the diversion program,
                  except for that conduct which formed the basis for the diversion agreement.
                      (c) Any licensee terminated from the diversion program for failure to comply with the

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                  diversion agreement is subject to disciplinary action by the division for acts committed before,
                  during, and after participation in the diversion program, including violations identified in the
                  diversion agreement.
                      (10) The classification, retention, and disclosure of records relating to a licensee's
                  participation in the diversion program is governed by Title 63, Chapter 2, Government Records
                  Access and Management Act, except that any provision in the diversion agreement which
                  addresses access to or release of diversion records regarding the licensee shall govern the access
                  to and release of those records.
                      (11) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the fact that the licensee
                  completed a diversion program and the contents of the diversion agreement itself may be
                  considered by the division in determining the appropriate disciplinary action if the licensee is
                  charged in the future with the same or similar conduct.
                      (12) Meetings regarding the diversion program are not subject to Title 52, Chapter 4,
                  Open and Public Meetings.
                      (13) (a) If, during the course of the diversion agreement, information is brought to the
                  attention of the director that the licensee made an intentional material misrepresentation of fact in
                  the stipulation of facts contained in the diversion agreement, the director shall cause to be served
                  upon the licensee an order to show cause specifying the information relied upon by the director
                  and setting a time and place for hearing to determine whether or not the licensee made the
                  intentional material misrepresentation of fact and whether the agreement should be terminated on
                  that ground.
                      (b) Proceedings to terminate a diversion agreement on the grounds that the licensee made
                  an intentional material misrepresentation of fact in the stipulation of facts contained in the
                  diversion agreement and to issue an order of license revocation shall comply with Title 63,
                  Chapter 46b, Administrative Procedures Act, except as follows:
                      (i) the notice of agency action shall be in the form of an order to show cause, which shall
                  contain all of the information specified in Subsection 63-46b-3 (2), except a statement that a
                  written response to the order to show cause is required;

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                      (ii) no written response to the order to show cause is required;
                      (iii) discovery is prohibited, but the division may issue subpoenas or other orders to
                  compel production of necessary evidence on behalf of either party and all parties shall have
                  access to information contained in the division's diversion file to the extent permitted by law;
                      (iv) the hearing shall be held only after timely notice to all parties; and
                      (v) any agency review or reconsideration of an order terminating a diversion agreement
                  or of an order of license revocation pursuant to this Subsection (13) shall be limited to the
                  division director's findings of fact, conclusions of law, and order which arose out of the order to
                  show cause proceeding.
                      (c) Upon finding the licensee made an intentional material misrepresentation of fact in
                  the stipulation of facts contained in the diversion agreement and that terminating the agreement is
                  in the best interest of the public, and issuing an order to that effect, the director shall issue an
                  order of license revocation, revoking the licensee's professional license.
                      (d) The order terminating the diversion agreement and the order of license revocation
                  shall include findings of fact and conclusions of law as determined by the director following the
                  hearing or as otherwise stipulated and agreed to by the parties.
                      (e) If the diversion agreement being terminated was entered into after the division had
                  commenced an adjudicative proceeding against the licensee, that adjudicative proceeding shall be
                  considered to be merged into the order of license revocation and it may not constitute a basis for
                  any separate disciplinary action against the licensee.
                      (f) The order terminating the diversion agreement and the order of license revocation
                  shall notify the licensee of the right to request agency review or reconsideration.
                      (14) (a) If, during the course of the diversion agreement, information is brought to the
                  attention of the director that the licensee has violated the diversion agreement and if it appears in
                  the best interest of the public to proceed with charges, the director, after consultation with the
                  diversion advisory committee, shall cause to be served upon the licensee an order to show cause
                  specifying the facts relied upon by the director and setting a time and place for hearing to
                  determine whether or not the licensee has violated the diversion agreement and whether the

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                  agreement should be terminated.
                      (b) Proceedings to terminate a diversion agreement and to issue an order of license
                  suspension and probation, and proceedings to terminate the probation and lift the stay of a license
                  suspension, shall comply with Title 63, Chapter 46b, Administrative Procedures Act, except as
                  follows:
                      (i) the notice of agency action shall be in the form of an order to show cause, which shall
                  contain all of the information specified in Subsection 63-46b-3 (2), except a statement that a
                  written response to the order to show cause is required;
                      (ii) no written response to the order to show cause shall be required;
                      (iii) discovery is prohibited, but the division may issue subpoenas or other orders to
                  compel production of necessary evidence on behalf of either party and all parties shall have
                  access to information contained in the division's diversion file to the extent permitted by law;
                      (iv) the hearing shall be held only after timely notice to all parties; and
                      (v) any agency review or reconsideration of an order terminating a diversion agreement
                  or of an order of license suspension and probation pursuant to this Subsection (14) shall be
                  limited to the division director's findings of fact, conclusions of law, and order which arose out of
                  the order to show cause proceeding.
                      (c) (i) Upon finding the licensee has violated the diversion agreement and that
                  terminating the agreement is in the best interest of the public, and issuing an order to that effect,
                  the director shall issue an order of license suspension, suspending the licensee's professional
                  license, but shall stay that suspension in favor of an order of probation, consisting of the same
                  terms as those which comprised the diversion agreement.
                      (ii) The period of probation shall be the time period which remained under the diversion
                  agreement, or five years from the date of the order of license suspension and probation,
                  whichever is longer, unless otherwise agreed by the parties.
                      (iii) The period of probation is tolled during any time in which the licensee does not have
                  an active license in the state.
                      (d) (i) The order terminating the diversion agreement and the order of license suspension

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                  and probation shall include findings of fact and conclusions of law as determined by the director
                  following the hearing or as otherwise stipulated and agreed to by the parties.
                      (ii) The findings of fact may include those facts to which the licensee stipulated in the
                  diversion agreement and any additional facts as the director may determine in the course of the
                  hearing.
                      (e) If the diversion agreement being terminated was entered into after the division had
                  commenced an adjudicative proceeding against the licensee, that adjudicative proceeding shall be
                  considered to be merged into the order of license suspension and probation and it may not
                  constitute a basis for any separate disciplinary action against the licensee.
                      (f) The order terminating the diversion agreement and the order of license suspension
                  and probation shall notify the licensee of the right to request agency review or reconsideration.
                      (g) (i) The terms and conditions of the order of license suspension and probation may be
                  amended by order of the director, pursuant to motion or stipulation of the parties.
                      (ii) The order of the director on the motion shall not be subject to agency review, but is
                  subject to agency reconsideration under Section 63-46b-13 .
                      (h) (i) If, during the course of probation, the director has reason to believe the licensee
                  has violated the order of suspension and probation, the director shall cause to be served upon the
                  licensee an order to show cause why the probation should not be terminated and the stay of
                  suspension lifted.
                      (ii) The order to show cause shall specify the facts relied upon by the director and shall
                  set a time and place for hearing before the director to determine whether or not the licensee has
                  violated the order of suspension and probation and whether that order should be terminated and
                  the stay of suspension lifted.
                      (15) (a) Nothing in this section precludes the division from issuing an emergency order
                  pursuant to Section 63-46b-20 .
                      (b) If the division issues an emergency order against a licensee who is subject to a
                  diversion agreement with the division, that diversion agreement shall be immediately and
                  automatically terminated upon the issuance of the emergency order, without compliance with the

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                  provisions of Title 63, Chapter 46b, Administrative Procedures Act.
                      (c) (i) A licensee whose diversion agreement has been terminated pursuant to Subsection
                  (15)(b) is entitled, upon request, to a posttermination hearing to challenge the termination of the
                  diversion agreement.
                      (ii) The request shall be considered a request for agency action and shall comply with the
                  requirements of Subsection 63-46b-3 (3).
                      (iii) The division shall uphold the termination of the diversion agreement if it finds that:
                      (A) the licensee violated the diversion agreement; and
                      (B) it is in the best interest of the public to terminate the diversion agreement.
                      (16) The administrative statute of limitations for taking disciplinary action described in
                  Subsection 58-1-401 (5) shall be tolled during a diversion program.

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