2014 West Virginia Code
CHAPTER 30. PROFESSIONS AND OCCUPATIONS
ARTICLE 10. VETERINARIANS.
§30-10-19. Complaints; investigations; due process procedure; grounds for disciplinary action.

(a) The board may upon its own motion and shall upon the written complaint of any person cause an investigation to be made to determine whether grounds exist for disciplinary action under this article.

(b) Upon initiation or receipt of the complaint, the board shall provide a copy of the complaint to the licensee, permittee, registrant or certificate holder.

(c) After reviewing any information obtained through an investigation, the board shall determine if probable cause exists that the licensee, permittee, registrant or certificate holder has violated any provision of this article.

(d) Upon a finding that probable cause exists that the licensee, permittee, registrant or certificate holder has violated this article, the board may enter into a consent decree or hold a hearing for the suspension or revocation of the license, permit, registration or certificate or the imposition of sanctions against the licensee, permittee, registrant or certificate holder. The hearing shall be held in accordance with the provisions of this article.

(e) Any member of the board or the executive director of the board may issue subpoenas and subpoenas duces tecum to obtain testimony and documents to aid in the investigation of allegations against any person regulated by this article.

(f) Any member of the board or its executive director may sign a consent decree or other legal document on behalf of the board.

(g) The board may, after notice and opportunity for hearing, deny, refuse to renew, suspend or revoke the license, permit, registration or certificate of, impose probationary conditions upon or take disciplinary action against, any licensee, permittee, registrant or certificate holder for any of the following reasons:

(1) Obtaining a license, permit, registration or certificate by fraud, misrepresentation or concealment of material facts;

(2) Being convicted of a felony or other crime involving moral turpitude;

(3) Being guilty of unprofessional conduct;

(4) Intentional violation of this article or lawful order;

(5) Having had a license or other authorization to practice revoked or suspended, other disciplinary action taken, or an application for licensure or other authorization refused, revoked or suspended by the proper authorities of another jurisdiction, irrespective of intervening appeals and stays; or

(6) Engaging in any act which has endangered or is likely to endanger the health, welfare or safety of the public.

(h) For the purposes of subsection (g) of this section, disciplinary action may include:

(1) Reprimand;

(2) Probation;

(3) Administrative fine, not to exceed $1,000 a day per violation;

(4) Mandatory attendance at continuing education seminars or other training;

(5) Practicing under supervision or other restriction;

(6) Requiring the licensee, permittee, registrant or certificate holder to report to the board for periodic interviews for a specified period of time; or

(7) Other corrective action considered by the board to be necessary to protect the public, including advising other parties whose legitimate interests may be at risk.