2005 Washington Revised Code RCW 18.130.050: Authority of disciplining authority.

The disciplining authority has the following authority:

     (1) To adopt, amend, and rescind such rules as are deemed necessary to carry out this chapter;

     (2) To investigate all complaints or reports of unprofessional conduct as defined in this chapter and to hold hearings as provided in this chapter;

     (3) To issue subpoenas and administer oaths in connection with any investigation, hearing, or proceeding held under this chapter;

     (4) To take or cause depositions to be taken and use other discovery procedures as needed in any investigation, hearing, or proceeding held under this chapter;

     (5) To compel attendance of witnesses at hearings;

     (6) In the course of investigating a complaint or report of unprofessional conduct, to conduct practice reviews;

     (7) To take emergency action ordering summary suspension of a license, or restriction or limitation of the license holder's practice pending proceedings by the disciplining authority. Consistent with RCW 18.130.370, a disciplining authority shall issue a summary suspension of the license or temporary practice permit of a license holder prohibited from practicing a health care profession in another state, federal, or foreign jurisdiction because of an act of unprofessional conduct that is substantially equivalent to an act of unprofessional conduct prohibited by this chapter or any of the chapters specified in RCW 18.130.040. The summary suspension remains in effect until proceedings by the Washington disciplining authority have been completed;

     (8) To use a presiding officer as authorized in RCW 18.130.095(3) or the office of administrative hearings as authorized in chapter 34.12 RCW to conduct hearings. The disciplining authority shall make the final decision regarding disposition of the license unless the disciplining authority elects to delegate in writing the final decision to the presiding officer;

     (9) To use individual members of the boards to direct investigations. However, the member of the board shall not subsequently participate in the hearing of the case;

     (10) To enter into contracts for professional services determined to be necessary for adequate enforcement of this chapter;

     (11) To contract with licensees or other persons or organizations to provide services necessary for the monitoring and supervision of licensees who are placed on probation, whose professional activities are restricted, or who are for any authorized purpose subject to monitoring by the disciplining authority;

     (12) To adopt standards of professional conduct or practice;

     (13) To grant or deny license applications, and in the event of a finding of unprofessional conduct by an applicant or license holder, to impose any sanction against a license applicant or license holder provided by this chapter;

     (14) To designate individuals authorized to sign subpoenas and statements of charges;

     (15) To establish panels consisting of three or more members of the board to perform any duty or authority within the board's jurisdiction under this chapter;

     (16) To review and audit the records of licensed health facilities' or services' quality assurance committee decisions in which a licensee's practice privilege or employment is terminated or restricted. Each health facility or service shall produce and make accessible to the disciplining authority the appropriate records and otherwise facilitate the review and audit. Information so gained shall not be subject to discovery or introduction into evidence in any civil action pursuant to RCW 70.41.200(3).

[2006 c 99 § 4; 1995 c 336 § 4. Prior: 1993 c 367 § 21; 1993 c 367 § 5; 1987 c 150 § 2; 1984 c 279 § 5.]

Severability -- 1987 c 150: See RCW 18.122.901.