Rhode Island § 23-74-11 - Unlicensed Health Care Practices

§ 23-74-11. Suspension.

(a) Penalties in suspension. In addition to any other remedy provided by law, the director may, acting through a person to whom the director has delegated this authority and without a hearing, suspend the right of an unlicensed health care practitioner to practice if the director’s delegate finds that the practitioner has violated a statute or rule that the director is empowered to enforce and continued practice by the practitioner would create an immediate risk of harm to others. The suspension is in effect upon service of a written order on the practitioner specifying the statute or rule violated. The order remains in effect until the director issues a final order in the matter after a hearing or upon agreement between the director and the practitioner. Service of the order is effective if the order is served on the practitioner or counsel of record personally or by first class mail. Within ten (10) days of service of the order, the director shall hold a hearing. Within five (5) working days after the hearing, the director shall issue an order.

(b) All findings in hearings under this chapter shall be made by clear and convincing evidence.

(c) Any practitioner aggrieved by an order of the director may appeal the order pursuant to the provisions of the Administrative Procedures Act, chapter 35 of title 42.

(d) Automatic suspension. The right of an unlicensed health care practitioner to practice is automatically suspended if: (1) a guardian of an unlicensed health care practitioner is appointed by order of a court of competent jurisdiction; or (2) the practitioner is committed by order of a court. The right to practice remains suspended until the practitioner is restored to capacity by a court and upon petition by the practitioner; the director terminates the suspension after a hearing or upon agreement between the director and the practitioner.