¹467.203  Disciplinary actions; penalties.--

(1)  The following acts shall be grounds for disciplinary action as set forth in this section:

(a)  Procuring, attempting to procure, or renewing a license to practice midwifery by bribery, by fraudulent misrepresentation, or through an error of the department.

(b)  Having a license to practice midwifery revoked, suspended, or otherwise acted against, including being denied licensure, by the licensing authority of another state, territory, or country.

(c)  Being convicted or found guilty, regardless of adjudication, in any jurisdiction of a crime which directly relates to the practice of midwifery or to the ability to practice midwifery. A plea of nolo contendere shall be considered a conviction for purposes of this provision.

(d)  Making or filing a false report or record, which the licensee knows to be false; intentionally or negligently failing to file a report or record required by state or federal law; or willfully impeding or obstructing such filing or inducing another to do so. Such reports or records shall include only those which are signed in the midwife's capacity as a licensed midwife.

(e)  Advertising falsely, misleadingly, or deceptively.

(f)  Engaging in unprofessional conduct, which includes, but is not limited to, any departure from, or the failure to conform to, the standards of practice of midwifery as established by the department, in which case actual injury need not be established.

(g)  Being unable to practice midwifery with reasonable skill and safety to patients by reason of illness; drunkenness; or use of drugs, narcotics, chemicals, or other materials or as a result of any mental or physical condition. A midwife affected under this paragraph shall, at reasonable intervals, be afforded an opportunity to demonstrate that he or she can resume the competent practice of midwifery with reasonable skill and safety.

(h)  Failing to report to the department any person who the licensee knows is in violation of this chapter or of the rules of the department.

(i)  Willfully or repeatedly violating any provision of this chapter, any rule of the department, or any lawful order of the department previously entered in a disciplinary proceeding or failing to comply with a lawfully issued subpoena of the department.

(2)  When the department finds any person guilty of any of the grounds set forth in subsection (1), it may enter an order imposing one or more of the following penalties:

(a)  Refusal to approve an application for licensure.

(b)  Revocation or suspension of a license.

(c)  Imposition of an administrative fine not to exceed $1,000 for each count or separate offense.

(d)  Issuance of a reprimand.

(e)  Placement of the midwife on probation for such period of time and subject to such conditions as the department may specify, including requiring the midwife to submit to treatment; undertake further relevant education or training; take an examination; or work under the supervision of another licensed midwife, a physician, or a nurse midwife licensed under chapter 464.

(3)  The department shall not reinstate the license of a midwife, or cause a license to be issued to a person it has deemed unqualified, until such time as it is satisfied that such person has complied with all the terms and conditions set forth in the final order and that such person is capable of safely engaging in the practice of midwifery.

(4)  The department shall by rule establish guidelines for the disposition of disciplinary cases involving specific types of violations. Such guidelines may include minimum and maximum fines, periods of suspension or probation, or conditions of probation or reissuance of a license.

History.--ss. 1, 3, ch. 82-99; s. 90, ch. 83-218; s. 8, ch. 84-268; ss. 4, 5, ch. 91-429; s. 19, ch. 92-179; s. 266, ch. 97-103.