Notice of Proposed Rule

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Board of Respiratory Care
RULE NO: RULE TITLE
64B32-5.001: Disciplinary Guidelines
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The Board proposes the rule amendment to add new language to update and clarify disciplinary guidelines and penalties.
SUMMARY: The rule amendment will add new language to update and clarify disciplinary guidelines and penalties.
SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS: A Statement of Estimated Regulatory Cost was prepared and voted upon. The Board determined that small businesses would not be affected by this rule. However, a Statement of Estimated Regulatory Cost was prepared for review.
Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: 456.079, 468.365(4) FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 456.072, 468.365 FS.
IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE SCHEDULED AND ANNOUNCED IN FAW.
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Allen Hall, Executive Director, Board of Respiratory Care Specialists/MQA, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin #C05, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3255

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

64B32-5.001 Disciplinary Guidelines.

(1) The Board may impose disciplinary penalties upon a determination that an applicant or licensee:

(a) No change.

(b) Has violated any provision of Chapter 456, F.S., or any rules promulgated thereunder;

1. Section 456.0635, F.S., outlines specific offenses for which the Board is prohibited from issuing or renewing a license, certificate, or registration to any applicant if the candidate has been convicted of, pled nolo contendere, or guilty to, regardless of adjudication, a felony under Chapter 409, Chapter 817, Chapter 893, 21 U.S.C. ss. 801-970, or 42 U.S.C. ss 1395-1396, unless the sentence and any subsequent period of probation for such conviction or pleas ended more than 15 years prior to the date of the application.

(c) through (d) No change.

(2) The range of disciplinary penalties which the Board may impose includes any and all set forth in Section 456.072, F.S., unless the conduct to be disciplined falls within the purview of Section 456.0635, F.S., in which case the Board shall impose the penalty specified in Section 456.0635, F.S. In determining the appropriate disciplinary action to be imposed in each case, the Board shall take into consideration the following factors:

(a) through (i) No change.

(3) Violations and Range of Penalties. In imposing discipline upon applicants and licensees, in proceedings pursuant to Sections 120.57(1) and (2), F.S., the Board shall act in accordance with the following disciplinary guidelines and shall impose a penalty within the range corresponding to the severity and repetition of the violations as set forth below. The mitigating or aggravating circumstances used to justify any deviation from the specified guidelines must be enunciated in the final order. The verbal identification of offenses are descriptive only; the full language of each statutory provision cited must be consulted in order to determine the conduct included. For applicants, any and all offenses listed herein are sufficient for refusal to certify an application for licensure. In addition to the penalty imposed, the Board shall recover the costs of the investigation and prosecution of the case. Additionally, if the Board makes a finding of pecuniary benefit or self-gain related to the violation, then the Board shall require refund of fees billed and collected from the patient or a third party on behalf of the patient.

 

 

VIOLATION

 

 

 

RECOMMENDED RANGE OF PENALTY

(a) through (ff) No change.

 

 

 

(gg) Any felony offense classified under Chapter 409, 817, 893, F.S., or 21 U.S.C ss. 801-970, or 42 U.S.C. ss. 1395-1396. (456.0635, F.S.)

Any Offense

The board is prohibited from issuing or renewing a license, certificate, or registration, unless the sentence and any subsequent period of probation for such conviction or pleas ended more than 15 years prior to the date of the application.

 

(hh) Terminated for cause from the Florida Medicaid program pursuant to Section 409.913, F.S.

Any Offense

The board is prohibited from issuing or renewing a license, certificate, or registration, unless the applicant has been in good standing with the Florida Medicaid program for the most recent 5 years.

 

(ii) Terminated for cause, pursuant to the appeals procedures established by the state or Federal Government, from any other state Medicaid program or the Federal Medicare program

Any Offense

The board is prohibited from issuing or renewing a license, certificate, or registration, unless the applicant has been in good standing with a state Medicaid program or the Federal Medicare program for the most recent 5 years and the termination occurred at least 20 years prior to the date of the application.

 

(4) through (6) No change.

Rulemaking Specific Authority 456.079, 468.365(4) FS. Law Implemented 456.072, 468.365 FS. History–New 4-29-85, Formerly 21M-37.01, 21M-37.001, Amended 1-3-94, Formerly 61F6-37.001, 59R-74.001, 64B8-74.001, Amended 5-5-02, 12-5-04, 5-15-05, 2-23-06, 3-29-07,________.


NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Board of Respiratory Care Specialists
NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Board of Respiratory Care Specialists
DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: January 8, 2010
DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAW: December 18, 2009