Louisiana § RS 37:2422 - Cease and desist orders; injunction; attorney fees; costs

§ RS 37:2422. Cease and desist orders; injunction; attorney fees; costs

A.  In addition to or in lieu of the criminal penalties or administrative remedies or sanctions provided in this Chapter or board rule, the board may issue an order to any licensee or other person or entity engaged in any activity, conduct, or practice constituting a violation of any provision of this Chapter or board rule, other than a person holding a license as a health care provider from another Louisiana licensing board, directing such person or entity to forthwith cease and desist from such activity, conduct, or practice.  Such order shall be issued in the name of the state of Louisiana, under the official seal of the board.  With regard to a person licensed as a health care provider by another Louisiana licensing board, notification of suspected violations of this Chapter or of board rules shall be sent to the director of the board which issued a license to that person for review and response to the Louisiana Physical Therapy Board from that licensing board.

B.  If the person or entity to whom the board directs a cease and desist order does not cease and desist the prohibited activity, conduct, or practice within three business days from receipt of such cease and desist order, the board, through its proper officer or agent, may seek and cause to issue in any court of competent jurisdiction and venue a writ of injunction, including a temporary restraining order, enjoining any such person or entity from engaging in the proscribed activity, conduct, or practice.

C.  In a suit for an injunction, the board may demand of the defendant reasonable attorney fees, associated investigative and administrative expenses, and the costs of court.  The judgment for attorney fees, expenses, and costs may be rendered in the same judgment in which the injunction is made absolute.

D.(1)  Upon proper showing by the board that such person or entity has engaged in any activity, conduct, or practice prohibited by this Chapter or board rule, the court shall issue a temporary restraining order enjoining the person or entity from engaging in such unlawful activity, conduct, or practice pending the hearing on a preliminary injunction, and, in due course, a permanent injunction shall be issued after a hearing, commanding the cessation of the unlawful activity, conduct, or practice complained of, all without the necessity of the board having to give bond as ordinarily required in such cases.

(2)  A temporary restraining order, preliminary injunction, or permanent injunction issued pursuant to this Section shall not be subject to being released upon bond.

E.  The trial of the proceeding for injunction shall be summary and by the judge without a jury.

Acts 2003, No. 1269, §1, eff. July 8, 2003; Acts 2009, No. 535, §4, eff. Jan. 1, 2010.