(a) The department may, upon its own motion, conduct investigations to

(1) determine whether a person has violated a provision of this chapter or a regulation adopted under it, or a provision of AS 43.70, or a provision of this title or regulation adopted under this title dealing with an occupation or board listed in AS 08.01.010; or

(2) secure information useful in the administration of this chapter.

(b) If it appears to the commissioner that a person has engaged in or is about to engage in an act or practice in violation of a provision of this chapter or a regulation adopted under it, or a provision of AS 43.70, or a provision of this title or regulation adopted under this title dealing with an occupation or board listed in AS 08.01.010, the commissioner may, if the commissioner considers it in the public interest, and after notification of a proposed order or action by telephone or facsimile to all board members, if a board regulates the act or practice involved, unless a majority of the members of the board object within 10 days,

(1) issue an order directing the person to stop the act or practice; however, reasonable notice of and an opportunity for a hearing must first be given to the person, except that the commissioner may issue a temporary order before a hearing is held; a temporary order remains in effect until a final order affirming, modifying, or reversing the temporary order is issued or until 15 days after the person receives the notice and has not requested a hearing by that time; a temporary order becomes final if the person to whom the notice is addressed does not request a hearing within 15 days after receiving the notice; the office of administrative hearings (AS 44.64.010) shall conduct the hearing and shall issue a proposed decision within 10 days after the hearing; the commissioner shall issue a final order within five days after the proposed decision is issued;

(2) bring an action in the superior court to enjoin the acts or practices and to enforce compliance with this chapter, a regulation adopted under it, an order issued under it, or with a provision of this title or regulation adopted under this title dealing with business licenses or an occupation or board listed in AS 08.01.010;

(3) examine or have examined the books and records of a person whose business activities require a business license or licensure by a board listed in AS 08.01.010, or whose occupation is listed in AS 08.01.010; the commissioner may require the person to pay the reasonable costs of the examination; and

(4) issue subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses, and the production of books, records, and other documents.

(c) Under procedures and standards of operation established by the department by regulation, and with the agreement of the appropriate agency, the department may designate appropriate state or municipal agencies to investigate reports of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation of property by certified nurse aides.