Complaints, adjudication procedure

(a) Purpose: This section shall govern the procedure of the board in all hearings conducted under the authority of Section 20-286 of the General Statutes involving a violation or alleged violation, of Chapter 389 of the General Statutes and Regulations of the board, by any person, but these rules shall not be construed to be a limitation or repeal of the board's authority as provided by legislative act. (b) Definitions. For the purpose of these rules: (1) "Person" means any individual, partnership, corporation, or association. (2) "Order" means the whole or part of any final disposition of an adjudication. (3) "Adjudication" means the board process in which a sanction may be imposed. (4) "Sanction" means revocation or suspension of a license, or a censure of the license. (5) "License" means any authority, certificate, or registration granted by the board. (c) Complaints. Information or personal knowledge of any person, including any board member, which if true would indicate a possible violation of Chapter 389 of the General Statutes or the regulations of the board may be presented to the board in the form of a complaint in accordance with Section 20-286 of the General Statutes. Upon receipt of such complaint, the board shall review its particulars. (d) Action on complaint. Upon completion of the review the board shall: (1) If the complaint in its opinion has no foundation in law and/or fact, transmit to the person providing the information the determination as toe insufficiency of the complaint or of the evidence, or (2) In all other cases cause to have prepared on its own motion, formal charges which shall be signed, caused to be served and prosecuted in accordance with Sections 4-177, 4-178 and 20-286 of the General tutes by the secretary or by a board member designated by the chairman. (e) Conduct of hearings. Hearings shall be conducted by two or more members of the board. The hearing shall: (1) Be presided over by a presiding officer, who shall be the chairman if present for the hearing; otherwise, the chairman shall designate a board member as presiding officer. (2) Be officially recorded. (3) Be continued or adjourned for reasonable cause shown. (f) Evidence. Evidentiary questions shall be ruled upon by the presiding officer. After all parties rest their cases, the board shall evaluate all testimony and other evidence and shall issue an appropriate order with findings of fact and conclusions. The secretary or board member prosecuting the complaint shall not participate in any deliberations, voting and preparation of the findings of fact, conclusions and order. (g) Record. After adopting findings of fact and conclusions of law, the board shall issue an order dismissing the action, or providing the sanction under Section 20-286 it deems warranted. The order shall: (1) Be explicit and include as a part thereof the findings of fact and conclusions of law of the board. (2) Be served upon the respondent or his attorney by certified mail with return receipt requested. (h) Motion for reconsideration. A petition to the board for vacation or reduction of the severity of a sanction imposed shall be submitted in writing within thirty days subsequent to the issuance of an order except that the board is not required to provide a hearing for consideration thereof.