2020 Oklahoma Statutes
Title 63. Public Health and Safety
§63-1-860.10. Complaints - Notice - Hearing - Orders - Service of order or other instrument.
A. If upon inspection or investigation, or whenever the Department determines that there are reasonable grounds to believe that a hospice is operating in violation of the Oklahoma Hospice Licensing Act, or any rule promulgated pursuant to the Oklahoma Hospice Licensing Act, or any order of the Department pursuant to the Act, the Department shall give written notice to the alleged violator specifying the cause of complaint. Such notice shall require that the matters complained of be corrected within forty-five (45) days or that the alleged violator appear before the Department at a time and place specified in the notice and answer charges. The notice shall be delivered to the alleged violator in accordance with the provisions of the Administrative Procedures Act, Section 301 et seq. of Title 75 of the Oklahoma Statutes.
B. The Department shall give the notice specified by the provisions of subsection A of this section within ten (10) days of an inspection or investigation of the hospice if the Department determines that the hospice is in violation of the Oklahoma Hospice Licensing Act, the rules promulgated by the Board pursuant to the Oklahoma Hospice Licensing Act, or any order of the Department pursuant to the Act.
C. The Department shall afford the alleged violator an opportunity for a fair hearing within sixty (60) days of receipt of notice provided by subsection A of this section in accordance with the provisions of the Administrative Procedures Act, Section 301 et seq. of Title 75 of the Oklahoma Statutes. On the basis of the evidence produced at the hearing, the Department shall make findings of fact and conclusions of law and enter an order thereon. The Department shall give written notice of such order to the alleged violator and to such persons as shall have appeared at the hearing and made written request for notice of the order. If the hearing is held before any person other than the Department, such person shall transmit the record of the hearing together with recommendations for findings of fact and conclusions of law to the Department which shall thereupon enter its order. The Department may enter its order on the basis of such record or, before issuing its order, may require additional hearings or further evidence to be presented. The order of the Department shall become final and binding on all parties unless appealed to the Supreme Court as provided in the Administrative Procedures Act, Section 301 et seq. of Title 75 of the Oklahoma Statutes, within thirty (30) days after notice has been sent to the parties.
D. Except as otherwise expressly provided by law, any notice, order, or other instrument issued by or pursuant to authority of the Department may be served on any person affected thereby personally, by publication, or by mailing a copy of the notice, order, or other instrument by certified mail, return receipt requested, directed to the person affected at his last-known post office address as shown by the files or records of the Department. Proof of service shall be made as in the case of service of a summons or by publication in a civil action or may be made by the affidavit of the person who did the mailing. Such proof of service shall be kept on file in the Department.
E. The hearings authorized by this section may be conducted by the Department. The Department may designate hearing officers who shall have the power and authority to conduct such hearings in the name of the Department at any time and place. Such hearings shall be conducted in conformity with and records made thereof as provided by the provisions of the Administrative Procedures Act, Section 301 et seq. of Title 75 of the Oklahoma Statutes.
Added by Laws 1991, c. 217, § 10, eff. Sept. 1, 1991.
