Rhode Island § 5-20-28 - Plumbers, Irrigators, and Water System Installers

§ 5-20-28. Procedure for revocation of license.

(a) No proceedings to revoke a license, as provided in this section, shall be instituted unless filed with the department of labor and training within one year immediately following the date, or dates, of violation.

(b) No license of a master plumber, master irrigator, master water-filtration/treatment-system installer or journeyperson plumber, journeyperson irrigator, or journeyperson water-filtration/treatment-system installer shall be revoked or cancelled until after a full and impartial hearing as provided in this section.

(c) No hearing for the purpose of revoking any license of a master plumber, master irrigator, or master water-filtration/treatment-system installer, or journeyperson plumber, journeyperson irrigator, or journeyperson water-filtration/treatment-system installer shall be held unless there is first placed on file with the department a verified complaint, in writing, reciting in the complaint with reasonable particularity, a statement of facts which, if proved, would be sufficient to constitute a violation of one or more of the specifications for revocation of license as prescribed in § 5-20-27.

(d) Upon the filing of a verified complaint, as provided in this section, the department shall promptly set a date for a hearing of the charges of the complaint which shall be held in the city of Providence. The department shall promptly, by registered or certified mail, forward to the licensee charged in the complaint a true and correct copy of the complaint and notification of the time and place when and where a hearing of those charges is to be held.

(e) At the time and place fixed in the notification, the division of professional regulation or upon appeal from the division, the board of plumbing examiners, upon supervision of the department, shall proceed to a hearing of the charges specified in the complaint. No hearing upon the charges of the complaint shall be had unless the records of the department contain evidence that the licensee charged in the complaint has been served with a copy of the complaint and notification at least twenty (20) days prior to the date of the hearing; provided, that the appearance of the charged licensee, either in his or her own behalf or by counsel, constitutes proof that sufficient notice of the hearing was served.

(f) A complaining party by himself or herself or by counsel may aid in the presentation of evidence toward sustaining the complaint. Ample opportunity shall be accorded for a hearing of all evidence and statement of counsel, either in support of or against, the charges of the complaint. Upon good cause shown the date of the hearing on the complaint may be continued provided the licensee and other interested parties are reasonably notified about the date of the continuance.