2016 Connecticut General Statutes
Title 19a - Public Health and Well-Being
Chapter 368a - Department of Public Health
Section 19a-14 - (Formerly Sec. 19-4o). Powers of department concerning regulated professions.

(a) The Department of Public Health shall have the following powers and duties with regard to the boards and commissions listed in subsection (b) of this section which are within the Department of Public Health. The department shall:

(1) Control the allocation, disbursement and budgeting of funds appropriated to the department for the operation of the boards and commissions;

(2) Employ and assign such personnel as the commissioner deems necessary for the performance of the functions of the boards and commissions;

(3) Perform all management functions including purchasing, bookkeeping, accounting, payroll, secretarial, clerical and routine housekeeping functions;

(4) Adopt, with the advice and assistance of the appropriate board or commission, and in accordance with chapter 54, any regulations which are consistent with protecting the public health and safety and which are necessary to implement the purposes of section 2c-2h, this chapter, and chapters 368v, 369 to 375, inclusive, 378 to 381, inclusive, 383 to 388, inclusive, 398 and 399;

(5) Develop and perform all administrative functions necessary to process applications for licenses and certificates;

(6) Determine the eligibility of all applicants for permits, licensure, certification or registration, based upon compliance with the general statutes and administrative regulations. The department may deny the eligibility of an applicant for a permit or for licensure by examination, endorsement, reciprocity or for reinstatement of a license voided pursuant to subsection (f) of section 19a-88, voluntarily surrendered or, by agreement, not renewed or reinstated pursuant to subsection (d) of section 19a-17, or may issue a license pursuant to a consent order containing conditions that must be met by the applicant if the department determines that the applicant:

(A) Has failed to comply with the general statutes and administrative regulations governing the applicant’s profession;

(B) Has been found guilty or convicted as a result of an act which constitutes a felony under (i) the laws of this state, (ii) federal law or (iii) the laws of another jurisdiction and which, if committed within this state, would have constituted a felony under the laws of this state;

(C) Is subject to a pending disciplinary action or unresolved complaint before the duly authorized professional disciplinary agency of any state, the District of Columbia, a United States possession or territory, or a foreign jurisdiction;

(D) Has been subject to disciplinary action similar to an action specified in subsection (a) of section 19a-17 by a duly authorized professional disciplinary agency of any state, the District of Columbia, a United States possession or territory, or a foreign jurisdiction;

(E) Has committed an act which, if the applicant were licensed, would not conform to the accepted standards of practice of the profession, including, but not limited to, incompetence, negligence, fraud or deceit; illegal conduct; procuring or attempting to procure a license, certificate or registration by fraud or deceit; or engaging in, aiding or abetting unlicensed practice of a regulated profession, provided the commissioner, or the commissioner’s designee, gives notice and holds a hearing, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, prior to denying an application for a permit or a license based on this subparagraph; or

(F) Has a condition which would interfere with the practice of the applicant’s profession, including, but not limited to, physical illness or loss of skill or deterioration due to the aging process, emotional disorder or mental illness, abuse or excessive use of drugs or alcohol, provided the commissioner, or the commissioner’s designee, gives notice and holds a hearing in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, prior to denying an application for a permit or a license based on this subparagraph;

(7) Administer licensing examinations under the supervision of the appropriate board or commission;

(8) Develop and perform all administrative functions necessary to process complaints against persons licensed by the department;

(9) Consent to the approval or disapproval by the appropriate boards or commissions of schools at which educational requirements shall be met;

(10) Conduct any necessary review, inspection or investigation regarding qualifications of applicants for licenses or certificates, possible violations of statutes or regulations, and disciplinary matters. In connection with any investigation, the Commissioner of Public Health or the commissioner’s authorized agent may administer oaths, issue subpoenas, compel testimony and order the production of books, records and documents. If any person refuses to appear, to testify or to produce any book, record or document when so ordered, a judge of the Superior Court may make such order as may be appropriate to aid in the enforcement of this section;

(11) Conduct any necessary investigation and follow-up in connection with complaints regarding persons subject to regulation or licensing by the department. In connection with any such investigation, the department may restrict, suspend or otherwise limit the license or permit of any person subject to regulation or licensing by the department pursuant to an interim consent order entered during the pendency of such investigation;

(12) With respect to any complaint filed with the department on or after October 1, 2010, alleging incompetence, negligence, fraud or deceit by a person subject to regulation or licensing by any board or commission described in subdivision (1) to (5), inclusive, (7), (8), (12) to (14), inclusive, or (16) of subsection (b) of this section:

(A) Upon request of the person who filed the complaint, provide such person with information on the status of the complaint;

(B) Upon request of the person who filed the complaint, provide such person with an opportunity to review, at the department, records compiled as of the date of the request pursuant to any investigation of the complaint, including, but not limited to, the respondent’s written response to the complaint, except that such person shall not be entitled to copy such records and the department (i) shall not disclose (I) information concerning a health care professional’s referral to, participation in or completion of an assistance program in accordance with sections 19a-12a and 19a-12b, that is confidential pursuant to section 19a-12a, (II) information not related to such person’s specific complaint, including, but not limited to, information concerning patients other than such person, or (III) personnel or medical records and similar files the disclosure of which would constitute an invasion of personal privacy pursuant to section 1-210, except for such records or similar files solely related to such person; (ii) shall not be required to disclose any other information that is otherwise confidential pursuant to federal law or state statute, except for information solely related to such person; and (iii) may require up to ten business days written notice prior to providing such opportunity for review;

(C) Prior to resolving the complaint with a consent order, provide the person who filed the complaint with not less than ten business days to submit a written statement as to whether such person objects to resolving the complaint with a consent order;

(D) If a hearing is held with respect to such complaint after a finding of probable cause, provide the person who filed the complaint with a copy of the notice of hearing issued pursuant to section 4-177, which shall include information concerning the opportunity to present oral or written statements pursuant to subsection (b) of section 4-177c; and

(E) Notify the person who filed the complaint of the final disposition of such complaint not later than seven business days after such final disposition;

(13) Perform any other function necessary to the effective operation of a board or commission and not specifically vested by statute in the board or commission;

(14) Contract with a third party, if the commissioner deems necessary, to administer licensing examinations and perform all attendant administrative functions in connection with such examination; and

(15) With respect to any investigation of a person subject to regulation, licensing or certification by the department and in any disciplinary proceeding regarding such person, except as required by federal law:

(A) Not be denied access to or use of copies of patient medical records on the grounds that privilege or confidentiality applies to such records; and

(B) Not further disclose patient medical records received pursuant to the provisions of this subdivision. Patient records received pursuant to this subdivision shall not be subject to disclosure under section 1-210.

(b) The department shall have the powers and duties indicated in subsection (a) of this section with regard to the following professional boards and commissions:

(1) The Connecticut Medical Examining Board, established under section 20-8a;

(2) The Connecticut State Board of Examiners for Optometrists, established under subsections (a) to (c), inclusive, of section 20-128a;

(3) The Connecticut State Board of Examiners for Nursing, established under section 20-88;

(4) The Dental Commission, established under section 20-103a;

(5) The Board of Examiners of Psychologists, established under section 20-186;

(6) The Connecticut Board of Veterinary Medicine, established under section 20-196;

(7) Repealed by P.A. 13-208, S. 79;

(8) The Connecticut State Board of Examiners for Opticians, established under subsections (a) to (c), inclusive, of section 20-139a;

(9) The Connecticut State Board of Examiners for Barbers and Hairdressers and Cosmeticians, established under section 20-235a;

(10) The Connecticut Board of Examiners of Embalmers and Funeral Directors established under section 20-208;

(11) Repealed by P.A. 99-102, S. 51;

(12) The State Board of Naturopathic Examiners, established under section 20-35;

(13) The State Board of Chiropractic Examiners, established under section 20-25;

(14) The Connecticut Board of Examiners in Podiatry, established under section 20-51;

(15) The Board of Examiners of Electrologists, established under section 20-268; and

(16) The Connecticut State Board of Examiners for Physical Therapists.

(c) No board shall exist for the following professions that are licensed or otherwise regulated by the Department of Public Health:

(1) Speech and language pathologist and audiologist;

(2) Hearing instrument specialist;

(3) Nursing home administrator;

(4) Sanitarian;

(5) Subsurface sewage system installer or cleaner;

(6) Marital and family therapist;

(7) Nurse-midwife;

(8) Licensed clinical social worker;

(9) Respiratory care practitioner;

(10) Asbestos contractor and asbestos consultant;

(11) Massage therapist;

(12) Registered nurse’s aide;

(13) Radiographer;

(14) Dental hygienist;

(15) Dietitian-Nutritionist;

(16) Asbestos abatement worker;

(17) Asbestos abatement site supervisor;

(18) Licensed or certified alcohol and drug counselor;

(19) Professional counselor;

(20) Acupuncturist;

(21) Occupational therapist and occupational therapist assistant;

(22) Lead abatement contractor, lead consultant contractor, lead consultant, lead abatement supervisor, lead abatement worker, inspector and planner-project designer;

(23) Emergency medical technician, advanced emergency medical technician, emergency medical responder and emergency medical services instructor;

(24) Paramedic;

(25) Athletic trainer;

(26) Perfusionist;

(27) Master social worker subject to the provisions of section 20-195v;

(28) Radiologist assistant, subject to the provisions of section 20-74tt;

(29) Homeopathic physician;

(30) Certified water treatment plant operator, certified distribution system operator, certified small water system operator, certified backflow prevention device tester and certified cross connection survey inspector, including certified limited operators, certified conditional operators and certified operators in training;

(31) Tattoo technician; and

(32) Genetic counselor.

The department shall assume all powers and duties normally vested with a board in administering regulatory jurisdiction over such professions. The uniform provisions of this chapter and chapters 368v, 369 to 381a, inclusive, 383 to 388, inclusive, 393a, 395, 398, 399, 400a and 400c, including, but not limited to, standards for entry and renewal; grounds for professional discipline; receiving and processing complaints; and disciplinary sanctions, shall apply, except as otherwise provided by law, to the professions listed in this subsection.

(d) Except as provided in subdivision (15) of subsection (a) of this section and section 20-13e, all records obtained by the department in connection with any investigation of a person or facility over which the department has jurisdiction under this chapter, other than a physician as defined in subdivision (5) of section 20-13a, shall not be subject to disclosure under section 1-210 for a period of one year from the date of the petition or other event initiating such investigation, or until such time as the investigation is terminated pursuant to a withdrawal or other informal disposition or until a hearing is convened pursuant to chapter 54, whichever is earlier. A complaint, as defined in subdivision (6) of section 19a-13, shall be subject to the provisions of section 1-210 from the time that it is served or mailed to the respondent. Records that are otherwise public records shall not be deemed confidential merely because they have been obtained in connection with an investigation under this chapter. Records disclosed to a person who files a complaint pursuant to subdivision (12) of subsection (a) of this section that are otherwise confidential shall not be deemed public records merely because they have been disclosed pursuant to said subdivision (12).

(e) The department shall not issue a license to any applicant against whom professional disciplinary action is pending or who is the subject of an unresolved complaint with the professional licensing authority in another jurisdiction.

(f) (1) Upon the issuance of a complaint under this chapter concerning any board or commission listed in subsection (b) of this section, or upon the filing of a petition for a declaratory ruling with, or the initiation of a proceeding for declaratory ruling by, any such board or commission pursuant to section 4-176, such board or commission shall notify the department of such complaint, petition or initiation of a proceeding.

(2) The Commissioner of Public Health or his or her designee may, not later than fifteen calendar days after receipt of the notice described in subdivision (1) of this subsection, notify such board or commission that the decision rendered by such board or commission in such matter shall be a proposed decision and that the commissioner or his or her designee shall render the final determination of the matter. The board or commission in making any such proposed decision shall comply with the requirements set forth in section 4-179. The commissioner or his or her designee may approve, modify or reject the proposed decision or remand the proposed decision for further review or for the taking of additional evidence. Any party to the matter may file written exceptions to the proposed decision not later than thirty days after the proposed decision is issued by the board or commission. The decision of the commissioner or his or her designee shall be the final decision in accordance with section 4-180 and for purposes of reconsideration in accordance with section 4-181a or appeal to the Superior Court pursuant to section 4-183.

(P.A. 80-484, S. 2, 174, 176; P.A. 81-473, S. 11, 43; P.A. 82-156, S. 1, 2; P.A. 83-352, S. 3, 5; 83-441, S. 6, 10; P.A. 85-531, S. 6; 85-585, S. 1; 85-613, S. 36, 154; P.A. 86-123, S. 8; 86-365, S. 1, 5; 86-376, S. 5; P.A. 87-537, S. 1, 13; P.A. 88-362, S. 9; P.A. 93-121, S. 1, 8; 93-249, S. 5; 93-381, S. 9, 39; P.A. 94-149, S. 15; 94-210, S. 1, 30; P.A. 95-116, S. 8; 95-196, S. 1; 95-257, S. 12, 21, 58; P.A. 96-47, S. 1; P.A. 97-186, S. 11; 97-311, S. 7; P.A. 98-166, S. 3, 9; 98-247, S. 10; P.A. 99-102, S. 51; 99-249, S. 2, 10; June Sp. Sess. 99-2, S. 60, 72; P.A. 00-226, S. 8, 20; P.A. 01-109, S. 3; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-4, S. 2, 3, 58; P.A. 05-66, S. 2, 3; 05-272, S. 14, 15; 05-280, S. 72, 73; P.A. 06-195, S. 2; P.A. 09-232, S. 25, 89; P.A. 10-38, S. 8; 10-117, S. 19, 20; 10-122, S. 3; P.A. 11-242, S. 3; P.A. 12-143, S. 10; P.A. 13-208, S. 17, 79; 13-234, S. 137; P.A. 15-242, S. 17; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5, S. 366, 493.)

History: P.A. 81-473 deleted a reference to the now abolished board of registration for sanitarians, added a reference to the board of examiners for physical therapists and provided that the department of health services perform the functions of a board with respect to the professions of sanitarian and subsurface sewage system installer or cleaner; P.A. 82-156 added Subdiv. (13) authorizing department of health services to contract with a third party to administer licensing examinations for the boards and commissions under its jurisdiction; Sec. 19-4o transferred to Sec. 19a-14 in 1983; P.A. 83-352 amended Subsec. (c) to include marital and family therapists; P.A. 83-441 amended Subsec. (c) to include nurse-midwives; P.A. 85-531 amended Subsec. (c) to include reference to certified independent social workers; P.A. 85-585 added Subsec. (d) regarding confidentiality of records obtained by the department in connection with an investigation of a person or facility over which the department has jurisdiction; P.A. 85-613 made technical changes, substituting reference to Sec. 2c-2b(a) for reference to Sec. 2c-2(f); P.A. 86-123 amended Subsec. (b)(6) by changing the name of the board from the state board of veterinary registration and examination to the Connecticut board of veterinary medicine; P.A. 86-365 added Subdivs. (A) to (F), inclusive, in Subsec. (a)(6) detailing grounds for denying applicants’ eligibility for permits; P.A. 86-376 added “respiratory care practitioner” in Subsec. (c) as profession which has no board; P.A. 87-537 added asbestos contractor and asbestos consultant in Subsec. (c) as profession which has no board; P.A. 88-362 applied Subsec. (c) to massage therapists; P.A. 93-121 added Subsec. (c)(12) re registered nurse’s aides, effective June 14, 1993; P.A. 93-249 amended Subsec. (c) to add new Subdiv. re radiographers; P.A. 93-381 replaced department and commissioner of health services with department and commissioner of public health and addiction services, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 94-149 added Subsec. (c)(14) re dental hygienists; P.A. 94-210 added Subsec. (c)(15) re dietitian-nutritionists, effective July 1, 1994; P.A. 95-116 amended Subsec. (c)(8) to change “certified independent” to “licensed clinical” social worker; P.A. 95-196 added Subsec. (c)(16) and (17) re asbestos abatement workers and supervisors; P.A. 95-257 replaced Commissioner and Department of Public Health and Addiction Services with Commissioner and Department of Public Health, effective July 1, 1995; P.A. 96-47 amended Subsec. (a)(6) to allow issue of a license pursuant to a consent order; P.A. 97-186 amended Subsec. (c) by adding new Subdiv. re alcohol and drug counselors; P.A. 97-311 amended Subsec. (c) by adding new Subdiv. re professional counselors; P.A. 98-166 amended Subsec. (d) to add reference to the Sec. 20-13e exception and change “the provisions of” to “disclosure under” Sec. 1-19 (now 1-210), effective June 4, 1998; P.A. 98-247 amended Subdiv. (18) to change “associate licensed” to “certified”; P.A. 99-102 repealed Subsec. (b)(11) re Connecticut Osteopathic Examining Board; P.A. 99-249 added Subsec. (c)(20) re acupuncturists, effective June 29, 1999; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 99-2 added Subsec. (c)(20) to (23), inclusive, re acupuncturists, occupational therapists, lead abatement contractors and nail technicians and by making technical changes, effective June 29, 1999; P.A. 00-226 added Subsec. (c)(24) re athletic trainers, effective the later of October 1, 2000, or the date notice is published by the Commissioner of Public Health in the Connecticut Law Journal indicating that the licensing of athletic trainers and physical therapist assistants is being implemented by the commissioner, i.e. April 11, 2006; P.A. 01-109 amended Subsec. (b)(15) by changing “Hypertrichologists” to “Electrologists”; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-4 amended Subsec. (c) by changing hearing aid dealer to hearing instrument specialist in Subdiv. (2), adding occupational therapist assistant in Subdiv. (21), adding lead consultant contractor, lead consultant, lead abatement supervisor, lead abatement worker, inspector and planner-project designer in Subdiv. (22), deleting nail technician and adding emergency medical technician, emergency medical technician-intermediate, medical response technician and emergency medical services instructor in Subdiv. (23) and adding paramedic as Subdiv. (24), effective July 1, 2001; P.A. 05-66 added Subsec. (c)(25) re dialysis patient care technicians; P.A. 05-272 amended Subsec. (c)(1) by replacing “speech pathologist” with “speech and language pathologist”; P.A. 05-280 added Subsec. (c)(26) re perfusionists; P.A. 06-195 deleted Subsec. (c)(26) re dialysis patient care technician and redesignating existing Subdiv. (27) as Subdiv. (26); P.A. 09-232 amended Subsec. (c)(23) by substituting “advanced emergency medical technician” for “emergency medical technician-intermediate” and substituting “emergency medical responder” for “medical response technician”, effective January 1, 2010, and added Subsec. (c)(27) re radiologist assistants, effective July 1, 2009; P.A. 10-38 amended Subsec. (c) to add new Subdiv. (27) re master social workers and redesignate existing Subdiv. (27) as Subdiv. (28); P.A. 10-117 amended Subsec. (a) by adding provisions, codified by the Revisors as Subdiv. (15), re department’s access to and disclosure of patient medical records in connection with an investigation or disciplinary action, amended Subsec. (d) by adding reference to Subsec. (a)(15) and added Subsec. (e) re nonissuance of a license to a person against whom professional disciplinary action is pending or who is the subject of an unresolved complaint in another jurisdiction; P.A. 10-122 amended Subsec. (a) by making technical changes, by adding new Subdiv. (12) re complainant’s right to access information and records re complaints filed with department on or after October 1, 2010, and by redesignating existing Subdivs. (12) and (13) as Subdivs. (13) and (14) and amended Subsec. (d) by making a technical change and adding provision specifying that confidential records disclosed to complainant pursuant to Subsec. (a)(12) are not deemed public records; P.A. 11-242 amended Subsec. (a)(11) by allowing department to restrict, suspend or limit a license or permit pursuant to interim consent order entered during pendency of an investigation, effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 12-143 amended Subsec. (a)(4) to replace reference to Sec. 2c-2b(a) with reference to Sec. 2c-2h, effective July 1, 2012; P.A. 13-208 repealed Subsec. (b)(7) and amended Subsec. (c) by adding Subdiv. (29) re homeopathic physician and Subdiv. (30) re water professionals; P.A. 13-234 amended Subsec. (c) by deleting “On and after July 1, 2011, a” in Subdiv. (28) and adding provision, codified by the Revisors as Subdiv. (31), re tattoo technician; P.A. 15-242 amended Subsec. (a)(6) by adding provision re denial of eligibility for voluntary surrender of license or for license that is not renewed or reinstated; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5 added Subsec. (f) re notice to department of a complaint concerning board or commission or a declaratory ruling petition or proceeding, effective June 30, 2015, and amended Subsec. (c) by adding Subdiv. (32) re genetic counselors, effective October 1, 2015.