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CHAPTER 43-05
PODIATRISTS
43-05-01. Definitions.
In this chapter, unless the context or subject matter
otherwise requires:
-
"Board" means the North Dakota board of podiatric
medicine.
-
"Clinical residency" means a formal, structured
postdoctoral training program
approved by the board, which is sponsored by and conducted in an
accredited
institution approved by the board or conducted by a college of podiatric
medicine
accredited and approved by the council on podiatric medical education,
American
podiatric medical association, or other accrediting agency approved by the
board.
The term also includes a preceptorship approved by the board until January
1, 1995.
-
"False or misleading statement or advertising" includes a
statement, claim, or
advertising that:
- Contains a misrepresentation of fact;
-
Is likely to mislead or deceive because in context it makes only a
partial
disclosure of relevant facts; - Is intended or is likely to create false or unjustified expectations of
favorable results;
- Appeals to an individual's anxiety in an excessive or unfair way;
-
Contains material claims of superiority that cannot be substantiated;
-
Misrepresents a podiatrist's credentials, training, experience, or
ability;
- Contains other representations or implications that in reasonable
probability will cause an ordinary, prudent person to misunderstand or be
deceived; or
- Represents that a manifestly incurable condition, sickness, disease, or
injury
can be cured.
-
"Health care facility" means a medical hospital, skilled
nursing care facility,
intermediate care facility, basic care facility, boarding house, or
swing-bed hospital
approved to furnish long-term care service, or any other facility licensed
to provide
health care services.
-
"Podiatric medicine" means the profession of the health
services concerned with the
diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the human foot and ankle
including
local manifestations of systemic conditions by all appropriate systems and
means
and includes the prescribing or administering of drugs or medications
necessary or
helpful to that profession.
-
"Podiatrist" means a person who is qualified to practice
podiatric medicine in this
state.
-
"Preceptorship" means a formal, structured postdoctoral
training program approved
by the board and conducted by a podiatrist primarily in an office setting
and
controlled and supervised by a college of podiatric medicine accredited by
the
council on podiatric medical education, American podiatric medical
association, or
another accrediting agency approved by the board.
-
"Provider" means a licensed person, homecare provider,
medical or health services
clinic, hospital, or health care facility, organization, institution, or
agency that
furnishes health care services.
43-05-02. Exceptions. The provisions of this chapter do not apply to the
following:
-
Physicians and surgeons licensed by the state board of
medical examiners.
-
Physicians and surgeons of the United States armed forces
and of the United States
public health service.
-
Duly licensed chiropractors.
-
The sale of shoes or preformed arch supports in the stores
of this state.
43-05-03. Board of podiatric medicine - Appointment of
members - Term of office -
Qualifications - Vacancies - Duties - Quorum - Records.
The board of podiatric medicine consists of six persons
appointed by the governor for a term of four years each with the terms of
office so arranged that no more than two terms expire on the thirteenth day
of June of any year. A member of the board may not serve for more than two
successive terms. A member may not be reappointed to the board after serving
two successive terms unless at least two years have elapsed since the member
last served on the board. Four members of the board must hold doctor of
podiatric medicine degrees and must have practiced podiatric medicine in
this state for at least two years before their appointment, one member must
be a doctor of medicine who holds a doctor of medicine degree and has
practiced in this state for at least two years before the appointment, and
one member, who is designated as a public member, must be a resident of this
state, be at least twenty-one years of age, and may not be affiliated with
any group or profession that provides or regulates health care in any form.
A member of the board shall qualify by taking the oath of office required of
civil officers
and shall hold office until a successor is appointed and qualified. The
governor shall fill any
vacancy by appointment for the unexpired term. The board may employ and
compensate
attorneys, investigative staff, clerical assistants, or others to assist in
the performance of the
duties of the board. A majority of the board constitutes a quorum to transact business, make any
determination, or take any action. The board shall keep a record of its
proceedings and of
applications for licenses. Applications and records must be preserved for at
least six years
beyond the disposition of the application or record or the last annual
registration of the licensee,
whichever is longer.
43-05-04. Meetings - When held - Officers.
The board shall hold an annual
meeting
and at that meeting shall elect from its members a president, vice
president, and
secretary-treasurer. The president of the board or any two members of the
board may call a
special meeting at any time if written notice of the meeting is given to all
the members. At any
special meeting at which a quorum is present a waiver of the notice of the
meeting may be
executed in lieu of the original notice. The officers shall perform such
duties as the board
prescribes. If a member of the board is absent from two consecutive regular
or special meetings,
the board may declare that member's position to be vacant. The governor
shall fill all vacancies.
43-05-05. Secretary-treasurer - Bond - Allowance.
The secretary-treasurer of
the
board must be bonded for the faithful discharge of the duties of the office
in the sum of not less
than one thousand dollars. The secretary of the board shall receive such
allowance for clerical
and other expenses of the board as determined by the board.
43-05-06. Compensation of members of board.
Each member of the board shall receive fifty dollars per day for each day employed in the actual discharge
of the duties of the board, and the member's necessary expenses. The mileage and travel expense
allowed may not exceed the amount provided for in section 54-06-09.
43-05-07. Secretary-treasurer of board - Duties - Record - Reports.
The
secretary-treasurer of the board shall have the following duties:
Keep a full record of the proceedings of the board.
Repealed by S.L. 1971, ch. 510, § 15.
At such times as may be required by the board, furnish a complete
statement of
receipts and disbursements under oath, together with vouchers, receipts, and
such
other evidence of the receipts and disbursements as may be required by the
board.
43-05-08. Rules and regulations - Board to make.
The board may make such rules and regulations not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter as may
be necessary to give it full force and effect.
43-05-09. License to practice podiatry required.
-
A person may not practice podiatric medicine unless that person first has
obtained a
license or permit to do so.
-
A person may not do any of the following unless that person holds a valid
license or permit:
- Advertise, hold out to the public, or represent in any manner that that
person is
authorized to practice podiatric medicine.
- Use the designation "doctor of podiatric medicine", "podiatrist", "D.P.M.",
"podiatric physician", "chiropodist", "foot specialist", or "foot doctor",
or use any
title, degree, letters, symbol, or words that would tend to lead the public
to
believe that that person is authorized to practice or assume duties incident
to
the practice of podiatric medicine.
-
A license to practice podiatric medicine is effective for one year
subject to the terms
and conditions for renewal established by the board.
43-05-10. Application - Examination fee.
To obtain a license to practice
podiatric
medicine, a person shall submit an application and any other documentation
required by the
board to the board in the manner prescribed by the board. The applicant
shall submit evidence
that the applicant has the required qualifications and shall pay to the
board a fee of not more than
five hundred dollars.
43-05-11. Qualifications of licensee.
An applicant for a license to practice
podiatric
medicine must possess the following qualifications:
-
Be at least eighteen years of age;
-
Be of good moral character; and
-
Be a graduate of a podiatric medical school approved by the board based
upon its
faculty, curriculum, facilities, accreditation by a recognized national
accrediting
organization approved by the board, and other relevant factors.
All persons holding a license to practice podiatric medicine in this state
on July 1, 1991,
continue to be eligible for a license to practice podiatric medicine under
this chapter.
Upon renewal of any license, the board may require the applicant to show
sufficient proof
of continuing medical education since the last application, which may
include seminars or
podiatry meetings. The board may waive the continuing education requirements
in case of
illness or other extenuating circumstances.
An applicant for a license must not have engaged in conduct warranting
disciplinary
action against a licensee or permittee in this state or another state. The
board may issue a
license or permit to an applicant who has engaged in conduct warranting
disciplinary action if the
board determines that the public will be protected through the issuance of a
license or permit with
conditions and limitations considered appropriate by the board. Applicants
graduating after July
1, 1991, from a podiatric medical school shall present to the board evidence
of the successful
completion of a program of clinical residency.
43-05-11.1. Conviction not bar to licensure - Exceptions. Conviction of an
offense
does not disqualify an applicant from licensure under this chapter unless
the board determines
that the offense has a direct bearing upon an applicant's ability to serve
the public as a podiatrist,
or determines that an applicant, following conviction of any offense, is not
sufficiently
rehabilitated under section 12.1-33-02.1.
43-05-12. Examination - Temporary permit.
-
The board may issue a license or permit to an applicant who has received
a passing
score on each section of the national board of podiatric medical examiners
licensing
examination or such other licensing examination as determined by the board.
The
board shall determine the requirements for a passing score. An applicant
shall
appear in person before the board or its designated representative to
complete an
oral practical examination and show that the applicant satisfies the
requirements for
licensure. The board may accept a national clinical examination prepared and
graded by the national board of podiatric medical examiners in lieu of the
oral
practical examination. The board may establish the procedures or
requirements for
the applicant's personal presentation and the subject matter of the oral
practical
examination.
-
The board may issue a temporary permit to practice podiatric medicine to
a person
engaged in a clinical residency or preceptorship for a period not to exceed
twelve
months if the person meets all the conditions and qualifications for
licensure
established by this chapter and rules of the board. The applicant for a
temporary
permit shall submit a fee of not more than two hundred fifty dollars, as
determined
by the board.
43-05-13. Reexamination when applicant fails in first examination.
Any
applicant
who fails the examination and is refused a license, within one year after
such refusal, may be
reexamined upon paying an additional fee of three hundred dollars. Only one
reexamination
exhausts the applicant's privilege under the original application.
43-05-14. When license issued without examination.
The board may issue a
license
without examination to a podiatrist of another state or Canadian province
if:
-
The other state or Canadian province grants like privileges to
podiatrists of this state;
-
The other state or Canadian province maintains equal statutory
requirements for
practicing podiatric medicine;
-
The applicant pays a fee of not more than five hundred dollars as
determined by the
board;
-
The applicant has been engaged legally in the active practice of
podiatric medicine
for at least two years immediately preceding the date of application;
-
The applicant presents satisfactory evidence to the board indicating the
current
status of a license to practice podiatric medicine which has been issued by
the
proper agency in another state or Canadian province;
-
The applicant has not had a license suspended or revoked, or has not
engaged in
conduct warranting or which would have warranted disciplinary action against
a
licensee if the conduct was committed in this state or elsewhere, or has not
been
subjected to disciplinary action in another state or Canadian province. If
an
applicant does not satisfy the requirements of this subsection, the board
shall refuse
to issue a license unless the board determines that the public will be
protected
through issuance of a license with conditions or limitations considered
appropriate
by the board; and
-
The applicant submits with the application the following information for
the five-year
period before the date of filing the application:
-
The name and address of the applicant's professional liability insurance
carrier
-
The number, date, and disposition of any podiatric medical malpractice
settlement or award made to the plaintiff relating to the quality of
podiatric medical treatment.
43-05-15. Renewal of license - Fee - Established by board - Failure to pay -
Reinstatement.
Each licensed and practicing podiatrist shall pay the annual
renewal license fee
established by the board. The license fee may be increased in accordance
with the number of
years licensed and practicing in North Dakota, but may not exceed five
hundred dollars. The fee
must be paid on or before the renewal date established by the board. The
person is entitled to
an annual certificate or license upon payment of the fee. If the renewal fee
is not paid within six
months after the date established by the board, the license of the
delinquent licensee must be
revoked and may not be reissued except upon a new application and the
payment of the renewal
fee established by the board plus twenty-five dollars and the costs of any
hearing held
concerning revocation of a license for nonpayment.
43-05-16. Grounds for disciplinary action.
-
The board may refuse to grant a license or permit or may impose
disciplinary action
as described in this chapter against any podiatrist. The following conduct,
whether
occurring in this state or elsewhere, is prohibited and is a basis for
disciplinary
action: -
Failure to demonstrate the qualification or satisfy the requirements for
a license
or permit under this chapter or rules of the board.
-
Obtaining a license or permit by fraud or cheating or attempting to
subvert the
licensing or permit examination process, the use of any false, fraudulent,
or
forged statement or document, or the use of any fraudulent, deceitful,
dishonest, or immoral practice in connection with any of the license or
permit
requirements.
-
Conviction, during the previous five years, of a misdemeanor or felony
reasonably related to the practice of podiatric medicine, or determined by
the
board to have a direct bearing upon a person's ability to serve the public
as a
podiatrist. A license may not be withheld contrary to chapter 12.1-33.
-
Revocation, suspension, restriction, limitation, or other disciplinary
action
against the person's podiatric medical license in another state or
jurisdiction,
failure to report to the board that charges regarding the person's license
have
been brought in another state or jurisdiction, or failure to report to the
board that
the person has been refused a license by another state or jurisdiction.
-
Advertising that is false or misleading, or the making of any false or
misleading
statement about the podiatrist's skill, training, experience, or ability or
the
efficacy of any treatment or remedy.
-
Violating a rule adopted by the board; an order of the board; any
provision of
this chapter; any action, stipulation, condition, or agreement imposed by
the
board; a state or federal law that relates to the practice of podiatric
medicine; or
a state or federal narcotics or controlled substance law.
-
Engaging in any unethical conduct; conduct likely to deceive, defraud, or
harm
the public; demonstrating a willful, careless, or negligent disregard for
the
health, welfare, or safety of a patient; or podiatric medical practice that
is
professionally incompetent, in that it may create unnecessary danger to any
patient's life, health, or safety regardless of whether an actual injury is
proved.
-
Failure to supervise a preceptor or resident.
-
Aiding or abetting an unlicensed, incompetent, or impaired person in the
practice of podiatric medicine.
-
Adjudication by a court of competent jurisdiction as mentally
incompetent,
mentally ill, chemically dependent, a person dangerous to the public, or a
person who has a psychopathic personality.
-
Engaging in unprofessional conduct that includes any departure from or
the
failure to conform to the minimal standards of acceptable and prevailing
podiatric medical practice.
-
Inability to practice podiatric medicine with reasonable skill and safety
to
patients because of physical or mental illness, chemical dependency, or as a
result of any mental or physical condition or disability.
-
Revealing a privileged communication from or relating to a patient except
when
otherwise required or permitted by law.
-
Improper management of medical records.
-
Accepting, paying, or promising to pay a part of a fee in exchange for
patient
referrals; obtaining any fee by fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation; or
paying or
receiving, directly or indirectly, any fee, commission, rebate, or other
compensation for services not actually or personally rendered, except for
the
lawful distribution of compensation or fees within a professional
partnership,
corporation, or association.
-
Engaging in abusive or fraudulent billing practices.
-
Habitual use of, or becoming addicted or habituated to, alcohol or drugs.
-
Prescribing, administering, or distributing a drug for other than
medically
accepted therapeutic purposes, experimental, or investigative purposes
authorized by a state or federal agency.
-
Engaging in sexual misconduct, sexual abuse, or exploitation with or of a
patient; conduct that may reasonably be interpreted by the patient as
sexual; or
in verbal behavior which is seductive or sexually demeaning to a patient.
-
The failure to furnish the board or representatives information legally
requested
by the board. -
A continued pattern of inappropriate care as a podiatrist.
-
The practice of podiatric medicine under a false or assumed name other
than a
partnership name containing the names of one or more of the licensed
partners.
-
Maintaining a professional office in conjunction or relation with any
business not
engaged in the practice of the medical sciences.
-
Treating any disease, sickness, illness, malady, or defect that is
outside the
scope of the practice of podiatric medicine.
-
In disciplinary actions alleging a violation of subdivision c or d of
subsection 1, a
copy of the judgment or proceeding under the seal of the clerk of court or
of the
administrative agency that entered the judgment or proceeding is admissible
into
evidence without further authentication and constitutes prima facie evidence
of the
contents of that judgment or proceeding.
-
The board shall keep a record of all of its proceedings in the matter of
suspending,
revoking, or refusing licenses or permits together with the evidence
offered.
43-05-16.1. Forms of disciplinary action - Dates - Automatic suspensions -
Reissuance.
When the board finds, pursuant to chapter 28-32, that a
podiatrist has violated this
chapter or a rule of the board, the board may do one or more of the
following: -
Revoke the license or permit.
-
Suspend the license or permit.
-
Institute probation with or without any of the following terms:
-
Impose limitations or conditions on the podiatrist's practice of
podiatric
medicine.
-
Impose retraining or rehabilitation requirements.
-
Require practice under supervision.
-
Condition the continued practice on demonstration of knowledge or skills
by an
appropriate examination or other review of skill and competence.
-
Impose a civil penalty not exceeding ten thousand dollars for each
violation, the
amount of the civil penalty fixed so as to deprive the podiatrist of any
economic
advantage gained by the violation or to reimburse the board for attorney's
fees and
the cost of the investigation and proceeding.
-
Order the podiatrist to provide unremunerated professional service under
supervision at a designated public hospital, nursing home, clinic, or other
health care
facility or institution.
-
Reprimand the podiatrist.
-
Censure the podiatrist.
-
Send the podiatrist a letter of concern.
43-05-16.2. Suspension or revocation of license.
- In addition to any other remedy provided by law, the board may, without a
hearing,
temporarily suspend the license or permit of a podiatrist if the board finds
as a
matter of probable cause based on verified evidence that the podiatrist has
violated
this chapter or a rule of the board and that continued practice by the
podiatrist would
create or be likely to result in a serious and imminent risk of harm to the
public. The
ex parte temporary suspension order is effective upon written notice to the
podiatrist,
specifying the law or rule violated. The ex parte temporary suspension
remains in
effect until the board issues a final order in the matter after a hearing
unless
otherwise ordered by a district court. When the board issues the ex parte
temporary
suspension notice, the board shall schedule a disciplinary hearing to be
held
pursuant to chapter 28-32. The hearing must be scheduled to begin no later
than
sixty days after the issuance of the ex parte temporary suspension. Within
three
days after the issuance of the ex parte suspension order, the board shall
serve the
podiatrist with a copy of the order along with a copy of the complaint and
notice of
the date set for the full hearing. The podiatrist may appeal the ex parte
temporary
suspension order prior to the full hearing. For purposes of this appeal, the
district
court shall decide whether probable cause reasonably requires the temporary
suspension to adequately protect the public interests. The court shall give
priority to
the appeal for prompt disposition thereof. Unless ordered by the district
court, an
appeal by the podiatrist of the ex parte temporary suspension order does not
stay
the effectiveness or validity of the ex parte temporary suspension.
- A suspension, revocation, condition, limitation, qualification, or
restriction of a license
or permit is in effect pending determination of an appeal unless the court,
upon
petition and for good cause shown, otherwise orders.
- A license or permit to practice podiatric medicine is automatically
suspended if a
guardian of the person of a licensee or permittee is appointed by order of a
court
under chapter 30.1-28 or other similar provisions in this state or elsewhere
for
reasons other than the minority of the licensee or permittee, or the
licensee or
permittee is committed by order of a court under chapter 25-03.1 or other
similar
provisions of law in this state or elsewhere. The license or permit remains
suspended until the licensee or permittee is restored to capacity by a court
and,
upon petition by the licensee or permittee, the suspension is terminated by
the board
after a hearing.
- The board may restore and reissue a license or permit to practice
podiatric medicine
and may impose as a condition of the license or permit any disciplinary or
corrective
measure.
- The board may revoke the license of any podiatrist who fails to renew a
license. A
revocation may occur after six months from the date when all renewal fees
and other
conditions must be paid or completed and be in effect before any hearing
upon
written notice to the podiatrist of the revocation. A hearing must be held
within sixty
days of the service of the notice of revocation upon the podiatrist.
43-05-16.3. Podiatrist cooperation.
A podiatrist or applicant for license
under this
chapter who is the subject of an investigation by the board shall cooperate
fully with the
investigation. Cooperation includes responding fully and promptly to any
question raised by the
board relating to the subject of the investigation and providing copies of
patient medical records
or other documentation to assist the board in its investigation. The board
shall pay for the copies
requested. If the board does not have written consent from a patient
permitting access to the
patient's records, the podiatrist or applicant for license shall delete any
data in the record that
identifies the patient before providing the record to the board.
43-05-16.4. Mental examination - Access to medical data.
- If the board has probable cause to believe that a podiatrist or applicant
for license
falls within the provisions of subdivision l or q of subsection 1 of section
43-05-16, it
may direct the podiatrist or applicant for license to submit to a mental or
physical
examination or chemical dependency evaluation. A podiatrist licensed or
permitted
under this chapter or an applicant for a license is considered to have
consented to
submit to a mental or physical examination or chemical dependency
examination
when directed in writing by the board and to have waived all objections to
the
admissibility of the examiner's testimony or examination reports on the
ground that
the examination constitutes a privileged communication. The failure of a
podiatrist
or applicant for a license to submit to an examination when directed
constitutes an
admission of the allegations against the podiatrist or applicant for license
and a
default and final order may be entered without the taking of testimony or
presentation of evidence unless the failure was due to circumstances beyond
the
podiatrist's or applicant's control. A podiatrist or applicant for a license
must, at
reasonable intervals, be given an opportunity to demonstrate that the
podiatrist or
applicant can resume or commence the competent practice of podiatric
medicine
with reasonable skill and safety to patients. In a proceeding under this
subsection,
neither the record of proceedings nor the orders entered by the board may be
used
against a podiatrist or applicant in any other proceeding.
- In addition to ordering a physical or mental examination or a chemical
dependency
evaluation, the board may, notwithstanding any law to the contrary, obtain
medical
data and health records relating to a licensee or applicant without the
licensee's or
applicant's consent if the board has probable cause to believe that the
podiatrist or
applicant falls within the provisions of subdivision l or q of subsection 1
of section 43-05-16. The medical data may be requested from a provider, an insurance
company, or a government agency. A provider, insurance company, or
government
agency shall comply with a written request of the board under this section
and is not
liable in any action for damages for releasing the data requested by the
board if the
data are released in accordance with a written request under this section
unless the
information is false and the provider giving the information knew or had
reason to
believe the information was false.
43-05-16.5. Reporting obligations.
- A person who has knowledge of any conduct constituting grounds for
discipline under this chapter shall report the violation to the board.
- A hospital, clinic, or other health care institution, facility, or
organization shall report
to the board any action taken by the hospital, clinic, or other health care
facility,
institution, or organization to revoke, suspend, restrict, or condition a
podiatrist's
privilege to practice or treat patients in the hospital, clinic, or other
health care facility
or institution, or as part of the organization, any denial of privileges or
any other
disciplinary action. The hospital, clinic, or other health care facility,
institution, or
organization shall also report the resignation of any podiatrist before the
conclusion
of any disciplinary proceeding or before the commencement of formal charges
but
after the podiatrist had knowledge that formal charges were contemplated or
in
preparation. No report is required of a podiatrist voluntarily limiting
practice at a
hospital if the podiatrist notifies all hospitals at which the podiatrist
has privileges of
the voluntary limitation and the reasons for it.
-
Four times a year, as prescribed by the board, each insurer providing
professional
liability insurance to podiatrists shall submit to the board a report
concerning any
podiatrist against whom podiatric medical malpractice settlements or awards
have
been made. The report must contain at least the following information:
- The total number of podiatric malpractice settlements or awards made
to the plaintiff.
- The date the podiatric malpractice settlements or
awards to the plaintiff were made.
-
The allegations contained in the claim
or complaint leading to the settlements or awards made to the plaintiff.
- The dollar amount of each podiatric malpractice settlement or award.
- The
regular address of the practice of the podiatrist against whom an award was
made or with whom a settlement was made.
-
The name of the podiatrist
against whom an award was made or with whom a settlement was made.
In addition, the insurance company shall report to the board any information
it has
that tends to substantiate a charge that a podiatrist may have engaged in
conduct>
prohibited under this chapter.
-
The clerks of court of the district courts or any other court of
competent jurisdiction
shall report to the board any judgment or other determination of the court
that
adjudges or includes a finding that a podiatrist is mentally ill; mentally
incompetent;
chemically dependent; guilty of a felony; guilty of a violation of federal
or state
narcotics laws or controlled substances acts; guilty of an abuse or fraud
under
medicare, medicaid, or medical assistance laws or rules; appoints a guardian
of the
podiatrist; or provides for the civil commitment of a podiatrist.
- Reports required by this section must be submitted no later than thirty
days after the
occurrence of the reportable event or transaction. The board may provide
forms for
the submission of reports required by this section, may require that reports
be
submitted on the forms provided, and may adopt rules necessary to assure
prompt
and accurate reporting.
43-05-16.6. Board immunity and privileged communications.
No member of the board, its committees, its employees, or its staff is
liable for civil
damages or subject to criminal prosecution for any action undertaken or
performed
within the scope of the functions of the board when acting without malice or
gross
negligence and in the reasonable belief the action was warranted.
Every communication, oral or written, made by or on behalf of any person,
institution, agency, or organization to the board or to any person
designated by the
board to investigate or otherwise hear matters relating to any disciplinary
action, is
privileged. No action or proceeding, civil or criminal, is permitted against
any
person, institution, agency, or organization for submitting a report to the
board under
section 43-05-16.5. For any report or communication not required by section
43-05-16.5, no action or proceeding, civil or criminal, is permitted against
a person,
institution, agency, or organization, except upon proof that the
communication or
report was made with malice.
The protections afforded in this section do not prohibit a respondent or
a
respondent's legal counsel from exercising the respondent's constitutional
right of
due process under the law, or as prohibiting the respondent from normal
access to
the charges and evidence filed against the respondent as part of due process
under
the law.
43-05-16.7. Costs of prosecution
Disciplinary proceedings. In any order or
decision
issued by the board in resolution of a disciplinary proceeding in which
disciplinary action is
imposed against a podiatrist, the board may direct the podiatrist to pay the
board a sum not to
exceed the reasonable and actual costs, including attorney's fees, incurred
by the board in the
investigation and prosecution of the case. When applicable, the podiatrist's
license may be
suspended until the costs are paid to the board.
43-05-16.8. Loan for litigation expenses.
Subject to approval by the
emergency
commission, the board may borrow funds sufficient to pay for attorney's fees
and costs incurred
in investigations, administrative proceedings, and litigation resulting from
the board performing its
duties. Notwithstanding section 43-05-15, the board may establish an annual
renewal license fee
for each year following the issuance of a loan under this section, and the
fee must be maintained
until the loan is fully repaid, including any accrued interest. The amount
of the annual renewal
license fee assessed under this section may not exceed one thousand dollars.
Once the loan is
paid in full, the annual renewal license fee must revert to the amount
established by the board
before the issuance of the loan. The notice of a proposed rule to assess the
fee in this section or
revert to the previous license fee may be sent by certified mail to each
individual licensed by the
board in lieu of the publication requirements for the notice in chapter
28-32.
43-05-17. Penalty.
A person violating any provision of this chapter for
which another
penalty is not provided is guilty of a class B misdemeanor. In addition, the
civil remedy of
injunction is available to the board to restrain and enjoin any violation of
this chapter without the
need to prove actual damages to any person. |