South Carolina § 40-69-90 - Procedures for handling complaints.

§ 40-69-90. Procedures for handling complaints.

(A) The department may receive complaints against a licensee from any person, including the board, and shall require the complaints to be submitted in writing and to be signed by the complainant. The person who is the subject of the complaint must be provided a notice of the complaint including the substance of the allegations within five days after the department begins its investigation. The department shall investigate the allegations in the complaint to the extent that there is a potential violation of this chapter. The department must submit its investigative findings to the IRC, as provided for in Section 40-69-20(8), along with any other additional information related to the investigation requested by any IRC member. The IRC must review the investigation and recommend to the board whether to proceed with formal action. If the board desires to proceed further, it may direct the department to file a formal complaint charging the licensee with a violation of this chapter or a regulation promulgated pursuant to this chapter. If the department files a formal complaint, the department must make the formal complaint and any answer filed by the licensee available for public inspection. The licensee must be provided a copy of the formal complaint prior to making any complaint available for public inspection. The board administrator shall notify the licensee in writing not less than sixty days before the disciplinary hearing. The formal complaint and the hearing notice must be served personally or sent to the licensee by mail, return receipt requested, directed to the last mailing address furnished to the board. The post office receipt signed by the licensee, the licensee's agent, or a responsible member of the licensee's household or office staff or if not accepted by the person to whom addressed, the postal authority stamp showing the notice refused is prima facie evidence of service of the notice. Informal disposition may be made of any complaint, formal or otherwise, by stipulation or consent agreement. No stipulation or consent agreement is final until it has been submitted to and approved by the board.

(B) A licensee has the right to be present and present evidence and argument on all issues involved, to present and to cross-examine witnesses, and to be represented by counsel at the licensee's expense. For the purpose of these hearings, the board may require by subpoena the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents and other evidence and may administer oaths and hear testimony, either oral or documentary, for and against the licensee.

HISTORY: 2006 Act No. 294, SECTION 1.