3711.14 Enforcement powers of director.
3711.14 Enforcement powers of director.
(A) In accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, the director of health may do any of the following:
(1) Impose a civil penalty of not less than one thousand dollars and not more than two hundred fifty thousand dollars on a person who violates a provision of this chapter or the rules adopted under it;
(2) Summarily suspend, in accordance with division (B) of this section, a license issued under this chapter if the director believes there is clear and convincing evidence that the continued operation of a maternity unit, newborn care nursery, or maternity home presents a danger of immediate and serious harm to the public;
(3) Revoke a license issued under this chapter if the director determines that a violation of a provision of this chapter or the rules adopted under it has occurred in such a manner as to pose an imminent threat of serious physical or life-threatening danger.
(B) If the director suspends a license under division (A)(2) of this section, the director shall issue a written order of suspension and cause it to be delivered by certified mail or in person in accordance with section 119.07 of the Revised Code. The order shall not be subject to suspension by the court while an appeal filed under section 119.12 of the Revised Code is pending. If the individual subject to the suspension requests an adjudication, the date set for the adjudication shall be within fifteen days but not earlier than seven days after the individual makes the request, unless another date is agreed to by both the individual and the director. The summary suspension shall remain in effect, unless reversed by the director, until a final adjudication order issued by the director pursuant to this section and Chapter 119. of the Revised Code becomes effective.
The director shall issue a final adjudication order not later than ninety days after completion of the adjudication. If the director does not issue a final order within the ninety-day period, the summary suspension shall be void, but any final adjudication order issued subsequent to the ninety-day period shall not be affected.
(C) If the director issues an order revoking or suspending a license issued under this chapter and the license holder continues to operate a maternity unit, newborn care nursery, or maternity home, the director may ask the attorney general to apply to the court of common pleas of the county in which the person is located for an order enjoining the person from operating the unit, nursery, or home. The court shall grant the order on a showing that the person is operating the unit, nursery, or home.
Effective Date: 2008 HB331 09-01-2008