2018 Colorado Revised Statutes
Title 12 - Professions and Occupations
Health Care
Article 35.5 - Massage Therapists
§ 12-35.5-112. Disciplinary proceedings - injunctions - investigations - hearings - judicial review - fine
(1) The director may revoke, suspend, deny, or refuse to renew a license, issue a letter of admonition to a licensee, or place a licensee on probation in accordance with the disciplinary proceedings described in this section upon proof that the person committed a violation of section 12-35.5-111.
(2) The director may request the attorney general to seek an injunction, in any court of competent jurisdiction, to enjoin any person from engaging in or aiding and abetting an act or practice prohibited by this article. When seeking a temporary restraining order, preliminary injunction, or injunction under this subsection (2), the attorney general is not required to allege or prove the inadequacy of any remedy at law or that substantial or irreparable damage is likely to result from a continued violation of this article.
(3) (a) The director is authorized to investigate, hold hearings, and gather evidence in all matters related to the exercise and performance of the powers and duties of the director pursuant to article 4 of title 24, C.R.S., and this article.
(b) The director or an administrative law judge shall have the power to administer oaths, take affirmations of witnesses, and issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of all relevant papers, books, records, documentary evidence, and materials in any hearing, investigation, accusation, or other matter coming before the director. The director may appoint an administrative law judge pursuant to part 10 of article 30 of title 24, C.R.S., to conduct hearings, take evidence, and make findings and report them to the director.
(c) Upon failure of any witness to comply with such subpoena or process, the district court of the county in which the subpoenaed person or licensee resides or conducts business, upon application by the director with notice to the subpoenaed person or licensee, may issue to the person or licensee an order requiring that person or licensee to appear before the director; to produce the relevant papers, books, records, documentary evidence, or materials if so ordered; or to give evidence touching the matter under investigation or in question. If a person or licensee fails to obey the order of the court, the court may hold the person or licensee in contempt of court.
(4) (a) The director, the director's staff, any person acting as a witness or consultant to the director, any witness testifying in a proceeding authorized under this article, and any person who lodges a complaint pursuant to this article shall be immune from liability in any civil action brought against him or her for acts occurring while acting in his or her capacity as director, staff, consultant, or witness, respectively, if such individual was acting in good faith within the scope of his or her respective capacity, made a reasonable effort to obtain the facts of the matter as to which he or she acted, and acted in the reasonable belief that the action taken by him or her was warranted by the facts.
(b) A person who in good faith makes a complaint or report or participates in an investigative or administrative proceeding pursuant to this article shall be immune from liability, civil or criminal, that otherwise might result from such participation.
(5) An employer of a massage therapist shall report to the director any disciplinary action taken against the massage therapist or the resignation of such massage therapist in lieu of disciplinary action for conduct that violates this article.
(6) On completion of an investigation, the director shall find one of the following:
(a) The complaint is without merit and no further action need be taken with reference thereto;
(b) There is no reasonable cause to warrant further action; or
(c) The complaint discloses misconduct by the licensee that warrants formal action. When a complaint or an investigation discloses an instance of misconduct that, in the opinion of the director, warrants formal action, the director shall not resolve the complaint by a deferred settlement, action, judgment, or prosecution. Rather, the director shall initiate disciplinary proceedings pursuant to subsection (7) of this section.
(7) (a) The director shall commence a disciplinary proceeding when the director has reasonable grounds to believe that a licensee has committed any act that violates section 12-35.5-111.
(b) Disciplinary proceedings shall be conducted pursuant to article 4 of title 24, C.R.S., and the hearing and opportunity for review shall be conducted pursuant to that article by the director or by an administrative law judge, at the director's discretion.
(c) If, after the hearing, the director finds the charges proven and orders that discipline be imposed, he or she shall also determine the extent of the discipline. The director may revoke, suspend, deny, or refuse to renew a license or place a licensee on probation.
(d) If the director finds the charges against the licensee proven and orders that discipline be imposed, the director may require, as a condition of reinstatement, that the licensee take therapy or courses of training or education as may be needed to correct any deficiency found.
(8) A final action of the director may be judicially reviewed by the court of appeals in accordance with section 24-4-106 (11), C.R.S., and judicial proceedings for the enforcement of an order of the director may be instituted in accordance with section 24-4-106, C.R.S.
(9) (a) When a complaint or an investigation discloses an instance of misconduct that, in the opinion of the director, does not warrant formal action but should not be dismissed as being without merit, the director may send a letter of admonition to the licensee.
(b) When the director sends a letter of admonition to a licensee, the director shall notify the licensee of his or her right to request in writing, within twenty days after receipt of the letter, that the director initiate formal disciplinary proceedings to adjudicate the propriety of the conduct described in the letter of admonition.
(c) If the licensee timely requests adjudication, the letter of admonition is vacated, and the director shall process the matter by means of formal disciplinary proceedings.
(10) When a complaint or an investigation discloses an instance of conduct that does not warrant formal action by the director and, in the director's opinion, should be dismissed, but the director has noticed conduct that could lead to serious consequences if not corrected, the director may send a confidential letter of concern to the licensee.
(11) If a person commits an act that violates this article, the director may impose a fine not to exceed five thousand dollars per violation. Each day of a continuing violation constitutes a separate violation.
