§ 5-69-10. Licensed professionals discipline. Licensees subject to this chapter shall conduct their activities, services, and practice in accordance with this chapter and with any rules promulgated pursuant to this chapter. The licensing board may recommend to the director refusal to grant a license to, or to suspend, revoke, condition, limit, qualify, or restrict the license of any individual who the licensing board or its designee, after a hearing, determines:

(1) Is incompetent to practice under the provisions of this chapter, or is found to engage in the practice of chemical dependency counseling and/or supervision in a manner harmful or dangerous to a client or to the public;

(2) Has obtained or attempted to obtain a license, or renewal, by bribery or fraudulent representation;

(3) Has knowingly made a false statement on a form required by the licensing board;

(4) Has failed to obtain the continuing education credits necessary for re-licensing;

(5) Has engaged in sexual relations with a current client, solicited sexual relations with a current client, or committed an act of sexual abuse or sexual misconduct with a current client;

(6) Has failed to remain free from the use of any controlled substance or any alcoholic beverages to the extent that the use impairs the ability of the person to conduct with safety to the public the practice authorized by this license. The applicant shall bear the burden of proving that he or she is free from use of any controlled substance or any alcoholic beverages that impair his or her ability to conduct with safety to the public the practice authorized by this license;

(7) Has been convicted of a felony, which shall be waived by the board upon presentation of satisfactory evidence that the conviction does not impair the ability of the person to conduct with safety to the public the practice authorized by this license. The applicant shall bear the burden of proving that his or her conviction does not impair his or her ability to conduct with safety to the public the practice authorized by this license;

(8) Has disciplinary action pending or has revocation, suspension, or probation taken against the licensee in Rhode Island or another state or territory of these United States;

(9) Has failed to maintain confidentiality per federal regulation 42 C.F.R. part 2;

(10) Has engaged in false or misleading advertising;

(11) Has a mental disability that significantly impairs the ability or judgment (the order of a court that the licensee is in need of mental treatment for incompetency shall continue the mental disability); and

(12) Has violated any of the provisions of this chapter, or the provisions of any code of ethics adopted by the licensing board.

History of Section. (P.L. 1994, ch. 117, § 1; P.L. 1995, ch. 370, art. 14, § 13.)