(a) A registered nurse whose license has been revoked or suspended or who has been placed on probation may petition the board for reinstatement or modification of penalty, including reduction or termination of probation, after a period not less than the following minimum periods has elapsed from the effective date of the decision ordering that disciplinary action, or if the order of the board or any portion of it is stayed by the board itself or by the superior court, from the date the disciplinary action is actually implemented in its entirety, or for a registered nurse whose initial license application is subject to a disciplinary decision, from the date the initial license was issued:

(1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, at least three years for reinstatement of a license that was revoked, except that the board may, in its sole discretion, specify in its order a lesser period of time provided that the period shall be not less than one year.

(2) At least two years for early termination of a probation period of three years or more.

(3) At least one year for modification of a condition, or reinstatement of a license revoked for mental or physical illness, or termination of probation of less than three years.

(b) The board shall give notice to the Attorney General of the filing of the petition. The petitioner and the Attorney General shall be given timely notice by letter of the time and place of the hearing on the petition, and an opportunity to present both oral and documentary evidence and argument to the board. The petitioner shall at all times have the burden of proof to establish by clear and convincing evidence that he or she is entitled to the relief sought in the petition.

(c) The hearing may be continued from time to time as the board deems appropriate.

(d) (1) The petition may be heard by the board or the board may assign the petition to an administrative law judge of the Office of Administrative Hearings.

(2)  If the board assigns the petition to an administrative law judge, the administrative law judge shall submit a proposed decision, as specified in Section 11517 of the Government Code, to the board for its consideration, which shall include reasons supporting the proposed decision.

(e) The board may grant or deny the petition, or may impose any terms and conditions that it reasonably deems appropriate as a condition of reinstatement or reduction of penalty.

(f) In considering a petition for reinstatement or modification of a penalty, the board or the administrative law judge shall evaluate and consider evidence of rehabilitation submitted by the petitioner using criteria specified in regulations promulgated by the board.

(g) The board may impose, or the administrative law judge may recommend, terms and conditions on the petitioner in reinstating a license, certificate, or permit or in modifying a penalty.

(h) The petitioner shall provide a current set of fingerprints accompanied by the necessary fingerprinting fee.

(i) No petition shall be considered while the petitioner is under sentence for any criminal offense, including any period during which the petitioner is on court-imposed probation or parole, or subject to an order of registration pursuant to Section 290 of the Penal Code. No petition shall be considered while there is an accusation or petition to revoke probation pending against the petitioner.

(j) Except in those cases where the petitioner has been disciplined pursuant to Section 822, the board may in its discretion deny without hearing or argument any petition that is filed pursuant to this section within a period of two years from the effective date of a prior decision following a hearing under this section.

(Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 429, Sec. 8. (SB 547) Effective January 1, 2018.)