§13020. Revocation or suspension of a certificate

1.  General.  The state board's rules adopted under this chapter shall specify the procedure to be followed by the commissioner in seeking the revocation or suspension of a certificate in the District Court and shall authorize the commissioner to enter into a consent agreement with any certificated person in lieu of initiating or completing a proceeding in the District Court.

[PL 1983, c. 845, §4 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 547, Pt. B, §78 (AMD); PL 1999, c. 547, Pt. B, §80 (AFF).]

2.  Grounds for revocation or suspension of a certificate.  The following are grounds for revocation or suspension of a certificate issued under this Title:

A. Evidence that a person has injured the health or welfare of a child through physical or sexual abuse or exploitation shall be grounds for revocation or suspension of a certificate. Notwithstanding Title 5, chapter 341, a certified court record that a person certificated under this Title was convicted in any state or federal court of a criminal offense involving the physical or sexual abuse or exploitation of a child within the previous 5 years shall be sufficient grounds for revocation or suspension of that person's certificate; and   [PL 1983, c. 845, §4 (NEW).]

B. Other grounds as may be established by the state board in its rules relating to criminal offenses not inconsistent with Title 5, chapter 341, fraud or gross incompetence.   [PL 1983, c. 845, §4 (NEW).]

[PL 1983, c. 845, §4 (NEW).]

2-A.  Grounds for discipline of a school psychologist or guidance counselor.  Evidence that a person who is certified under this Title as a school psychologist or guidance counselor has advertised, offered or administered conversion therapy as defined in Title 32, section 59‑C, subsection 1 to a child is grounds for discipline of that person.

[PL 2019, c. 165, §1 (NEW).]

3.  Denial of certificate for prior immoral or prohibited conduct.  Evidence that an applicant for initial certification or renewal has injured the health or welfare of a child through physical or sexual abuse or exploitation is grounds for a denial of a certificate. Evidence that an applicant for initial certification or renewal as a school psychologist or guidance counselor has advertised, offered or administered conversion therapy as defined in Title 32, section 59‑C, subsection 1 to a child is grounds for a denial of a certificate. Notwithstanding Title 5, chapter 341, every person who, within 5 years of the application for initial certification or renewal, has been convicted in any state or federal court of a criminal offense involving the physical or sexual abuse or exploitation of a child may be presumed by the commissioner to lack good moral character for the purposes of this chapter. This presumption is a rebuttable presumption. Notwithstanding Title 5, chapter 341, the commissioner is entitled to consider all records of prior criminal convictions involving child abuse or exploitation in determining an applicant's eligibility for a certificate.

[PL 2019, c. 165, §2 (AMD).]

4.  Reinstatement of certificate.  Revoked certificates may only be reinstated in accordance with state board rules. The following provisions govern the reinstatement of any certificate revoked for reasons of child abuse or exploitation.

A. Notwithstanding Title 5, chapter 341, no certificate revoked for reasons of child abuse or exploitation may be reinstated within 5 years of the revocation and in no case less than 3 years from the expiration of probation or parole or discharge from imprisonment for a criminal conviction involving child abuse or exploitation.   [PL 1983, c. 845, §4 (NEW).]

B. In determining whether a certificate may be reinstated, the commissioner shall determine whether the applicant has been sufficiently rehabilitated to warrant the public trust. The applicant shall be required to demonstrate sufficient evidence of rehabilitation, notwithstanding Title 5, chapter 341, and the commissioner shall state in writing the basis for any decision which denies reinstatement of a certificate.   [PL 1983, c. 845, §4 (NEW).]

C. Denial of reinstatement pursuant to paragraph B may be appealed to the Superior Court.   [PL 1983, c. 845, §4 (NEW).]

[PL 1983, c. 845, §4 (NEW).]

SECTION HISTORY

PL 1983, c. 845, §4 (NEW). PL 1999, c. 547, §B78 (AMD). PL 1999, c. 547, §B80 (AFF). PL 2019, c. 165, §§1, 2 (AMD).