Section 317-A:18-a Hearings; Decisions; and Appeals.
I. Any adjudicatory hearing shall be an open public proceeding. Any member of the board may preside at such a hearing and may issue oaths or affirmations to witnesses.
II. The board shall furnish the licensee or any other respondent at least 15 days' written notice of the date, time and place of a hearing, except as otherwise provided in this chapter. Such notice shall include an itemization of the issues to be heard, and, in the case of a disciplinary hearing, a statement as to whether the action has been initiated by a written complaint or upon the board's own motion, or both. If a written complaint is involved, the complainant shall also receive a copy of the hearing notice and shall be provided with a reasonable opportunity to intervene as a party.
III. Any person appearing at a board hearing or investigation may be represented by legal counsel, but the board shall have no obligation or authority to appoint or provide an attorney to any person appearing at a board hearing or investigation.
IV. The board may at any time dispose of issues or allegations at an adjudicatory hearing, or an investigation, by default, settlement agreement, or consent order, by issuing an order of dismissal for failing to state a proper basis for disciplinary action. In adjudicatory or disciplinary hearings, the board may hold prehearing conferences which shall be exempt from the provisions of RSA 91-A, but all final disciplinary actions, including those which occur without holding a public hearing, shall be available to the public.
V. Adjudicatory decisions and final disciplinary actions of the board shall be made by a majority of the board members participating in the decision. Such decisions shall not be made public until they have been reduced to writing, signed by a representative of the board, and served upon the parties.
VI. Decisions of the board may be appealed to the supreme court pursuant to RSA 541. The court shall not stay any disciplinary sanction imposed by the board pending appeal, if the board has determined that the sanction is required for the public safety and welfare.
Source. 2000, 5:20. 2001, 178:4, eff. Sept. 3, 2001.