2010 Mississippi Code
TITLE 73 - PROFESSIONS AND VOCATIONS
Chapter 31 - Psychologists.
73-31-21 - Licenses; revocation or suspension; grounds; hearing [Repealed effective July 1, 2011].

§ 73-31-21. Licenses; revocation or suspension; grounds; hearing [Repealed effective July 1, 2011].
 

(1)  The board, by an affirmative vote of at least four (4) of its seven (7) members, shall withhold, deny, revoke or suspend any license issued or applied for in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, or otherwise discipline a licensed psychologist, upon proof that the applicant or licensed psychologist: 

(a) Has violated the current code of ethics of the American Psychological Association or other codes of ethical standards adopted by the board; or 

(b) Has been convicted of a felony or any offense involving moral turpitude, the record of conviction being conclusive evidence thereof; or 

(c) Is using any narcotic or any alcoholic beverage to an extent or in a manner dangerous to any other person or the public, or to an extent that such use impairs his ability to perform the work of a professional psychologist with safety to the public; or 

(d) Has impersonated another person holding a psychologist license or allowed another person to use his license; or 

(e) Has used fraud or deception in applying for a license or in taking an examination provided for in this chapter; or 

(f) Has accepted commissions or rebates or other forms of remuneration for referring clients to other professional persons; or 

(g) Has allowed his name or license issued under this chapter to be used in connection with any person or persons who perform psychological services outside of the area of their training, experience or competence; or 

(h) Is legally adjudicated mentally incompetent, the record of such adjudication being conclusive evidence thereof; or 

(i) Has willfully or negligently violated any of the provisions of this chapter. The board may recover from any person disciplined under this chapter, the costs of investigation, prosecution, and adjudication of the disciplinary action. 

(2)  Notice shall be effected by registered mail or personal service setting forth the particular reasons for the proposed action and fixing a date not less than thirty (30) days nor more than sixty (60) days from the date of such mailing or such service, at which time the applicant or licentiate shall be given an opportunity for a prompt and fair hearing. For the purpose of such hearing the board, acting by and through its executive secretary, may subpoena persons and papers on its own behalf and on behalf of the applicant or licentiate, may administer oaths and may take testimony. Such testimony, when properly transcribed, together with such papers and exhibits, shall be admissible in evidence for or against the applicant or licentiate. At such hearing applicant or licentiate may appear by counsel and personally in his own behalf. Any person sworn and examined by a witness in such hearing shall not be held to answer criminally, nor shall any papers or documents produced by such witness be competent evidence in any criminal proceedings against such witness other than for perjury in delivering his evidence. On the basis of any such hearing, or upon default of applicant or licentiate, the board shall make a determination specifying its findings of fact and conclusions of law. A copy of such determination shall be sent by registered mail or served personally upon the applicant or licentiate. The decision of the board denying, revoking or suspending the license shall become final thirty (30) days after so mailed or served unless within said period the licentiate appeals the decision to the chancery court, pursuant to the provisions hereof, and the proceedings in chancery shall be conducted as other matters coming before the court. All proceedings and evidence, together with exhibits, presented at such hearing before the board in the event of appeal shall be admissible in evidence in said court. 

(3)  The board may subpoena persons and papers on its own behalf and on behalf of the respondent, may administer oaths and may compel the testimony of witnesses. It may issue commissions to take testimony, and testimony so taken and sworn to shall be admissible in evidence for and against the respondent. The board shall be entitled to the assistance of the chancery court or the chancellor in vacation, which, on petition by the board, shall issue ancillary subpoenas and petitions and may punish as for contempt of court in the event of noncompliance therewith. 

(4)  Every order and judgment of the board shall take effect immediately on its promulgation unless the board in such order or judgment fixes a probationary period for applicant or licentiate. Such order and judgment shall continue in effect unless upon appeal the court by proper order or decree terminates it earlier. The board may make public its order and judgments in such manner and form as it deems proper. It shall, in event of the suspension or revocation of a license, direct the clerk of the circuit court of the county in which that license was recorded to cancel such record. 

(5)  Nothing in this section shall be construed as limiting or revoking the authority of any court or of any licensing or registering officer or board, other than the Mississippi Board of Psychology, to suspend, revoke and reinstate licenses and to cancel registrations under the provisions of Section 41-29-311. 

(6)  Suspension by the board of the license of a psychologist shall be for a period not exceeding one (1) year. At the end of this period the board shall reevaluate the suspension, and shall either reinstate or revoke the license. A person whose license has been revoked under the provisions of this section may reapply for license after more than two (2) years have elapsed from the date such denial or revocation is legally effective. 

(7)  In addition to the reasons specified in subsection (1) of this section, the board shall be authorized to suspend the license of any licensee for being out of compliance with an order for support, as defined in Section 93-11-153. The procedure for suspension of a license for being out of compliance with an order for support, and the procedure for the reissuance or reinstatement of a license suspended for that purpose, and the payment of any fees for the reissuance or reinstatement of a license suspended for that purpose, shall be governed by Section 93-11-157. Actions taken by the board in suspending a license when required by Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163 are not actions from which an appeal may be taken under this section. Any appeal of a license suspension that is required by Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163 shall be taken in accordance with the appeal procedure specified in Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163, as the case may be, rather than the procedure specified in this section. If there is any conflict between any provision of Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163 and any provision of this chapter, the provisions of Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163, as the case may be, shall control. 

(8)  This section shall stand repealed from and after July 1, 2011. 
 

Sources: Codes, 1942, § 8877-112; Laws,  1966, ch. 483, § 12; reenacted, Laws, 1980, ch. 495, § 11; reenacted, Laws, 1988, ch. 354, § 11; Laws, 1992, ch. 436, § 6; Laws, 1994, ch. 641, § 6; Laws,  1996, ch. 507, § 64; Laws, 1998, ch. 355, § 7; Laws, 2001, ch. 399, § 9, eff from and after June 30, 2001.