SPS 2.036(2)(2) Procedures. When the disciplinary authority or its designee has selected an informal complaint for a possible settlement conference, the licensee shall be contacted by the division to determine whether the licensee desires to participate in a settlement conference. A notice of settlement conference and a description of settlement conference procedures, prepared on forms prescribed by the department, shall be sent to all participants in advance of any settlement conference. A settlement conference shall not be held without the consent of the licensee. No agreement reached between the licensee and the disciplinary authority or its designee at a settlement conference which imposes discipline upon the licensee shall be binding until the agreement is reduced to writing, signed by the licensee, and accepted by the disciplinary authority. SPS 2.036(3)(3) Oral statements at settlement conference. Oral statements made during a settlement conference shall not be introduced into or made part of the record in a disciplinary proceeding. SPS 2.036 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, June, 1992, No. 438, eff. 7-1-92. SPS 2.037SPS 2.037 Parties to a disciplinary proceeding. Parties to a disciplinary proceeding are the respondent, the division and the disciplinary authority before which the disciplinary proceeding is heard. SPS 2.037 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, May, 1982, No. 317, eff. 6-1-82; renum. from RL 2.036 and am., Register, June, 1992, No. 438, eff. 7-1-92. SPS 2.04SPS 2.04 Commencement of disciplinary proceedings. Disciplinary proceedings are commenced when a notice of hearing is filed in the disciplinary authority office or with a designated administrative law judge. SPS 2.04 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, February, 1979, No. 278, eff. 3-1-79; am. Register, June, 1992, No. 438, eff. 7-1-92. SPS 2.05SPS 2.05 Pleadings to be captioned. All pleadings, notices, orders, and other papers filed in disciplinary proceedings shall be captioned: “BEFORE THE __________” and shall be entitled: “IN THE MATTER OF DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS AGAINST _____________, RESPONDENT.” SPS 2.05 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, October, 1978, No. 274, eff. 11-1-78. SPS 2.06SPS 2.06 Complaint. A complaint may be made on information and belief and shall contain: SPS 2.06(1)(1) The name and address of the licensee complained against and the name and address of the complainant; SPS 2.06(2)(2) A short statement in plain language of the cause for disciplinary action identifying with reasonable particularity the transaction, occurrence or event out of which the cause arises and specifying the statute, rule or other standard alleged to have been violated; SPS 2.06(3)(3) A request in essentially the following form: “Wherefore, the complainant demands that the disciplinary authority hear evidence relevant to matters alleged in this complaint, determine and impose the discipline warranted, and assess the costs of the proceeding against the respondent;” and, SPS 2.06 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, October, 1978, No. 274, eff. 11-1-78; am. (intro.), (3) and (4), Register, June, 1992, No. 438, eff. 7-1-92. SPS 2.07(1)(1) A notice of hearing shall be sent to the respondent at least 10 days prior to the hearing, unless for good cause such notice is impossible or impractical, in which case shorter notice may be given, but in no case may the notice be provided less than 48 hours in advance of the hearing. SPS 2.07(2)(2) A notice of hearing to the respondent shall be substantially in the form shown in Appendix 1 and signed by a disciplinary authority member or an attorney in the division. SPS 2.07 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, October, 1978, No. 274, eff. 11-1-78; am. (2) (intro.), Register, February, 1979, No. 278, eff. 3-1-79; r. and recr. Register, June, 1992, No. 438, eff. 7-1-92. SPS 2.08SPS 2.08 Service and filing of complaint, notice of hearing and other papers. SPS 2.08(1)(1) The complaint, notice of hearing, all orders and other papers required to be served on a respondent may be served by mailing a copy of the paper to the respondent at the last known address of the respondent or by any procedure described in s. 801.14 (2), Stats. Service by mail is complete upon mailing. SPS 2.08(2)(2) Any paper required to be filed with a disciplinary authority may be mailed to the disciplinary authority office or, if an administrative law judge has been designated to preside in the matter, to the administrative law judge and shall be deemed filed on the date of the postmark. Materials submitted by personal service and by inter-departmental mail shall be considered filed on the date they are received at the disciplinary authority office or by the administrative law judge. An answer under s. SPS 2.09, motions under s. SPS 2.15, and any other documents required to be filed may be filed and served by facsimile transmission or by electronic mail. For materials transmitted by facsimile, the date received shall determine the date of filing. For materials transmitted by electronic mail, the filing date shall be the date that the electronic mail was sent. SPS 2.08 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, October, 1978, No. 274, eff. 11-1-78; am. (2), Register, June, 1992, No. 438, eff. 7-1-92; correction in (2) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register November 2011 No. 671; CR 14-019: am. (2) Register August 2014 No. 704, eff. 9-1-14. SPS 2.09(1)(1) An answer to a complaint shall state in short and plain terms the defenses to each cause asserted and shall admit or deny the allegations upon which the complainant relies. If the respondent is without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegation, the respondent shall so state and this has the effect of a denial. Denials shall fairly meet the substance of the allegations denied. The respondent shall make denials as specific denials of designated allegations or paragraphs but if the respondent intends in good faith to deny only a part or a qualification of an allegation, the respondent shall specify so much of it as true and material and shall deny only the remainder. SPS 2.09(2)(2) The respondent shall set forth affirmatively in the answer any matter constituting an affirmative defense. SPS 2.09(3)(3) Allegations in a complaint are admitted when not denied in the answer. SPS 2.09(4)(4) An answer to a complaint shall be filed within 20 days from the date of service of the complaint. SPS 2.09 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, October, 1978, No. 274, eff. 11-1-78; am. (4), Register, February, 1979, No. 278, eff. 3-1-79; am. (1), (3) and (4), Register, June, 1992, No. 438, eff. 7-1-92. SPS 2.10SPS 2.10 Administrative law judge. SPS 2.10(1)(1) Designation. Disciplinary hearings shall be presided over by an administrative law judge employed by the department of administration. SPS 2.10(2)(2) Authority. An administrative law judge designated under this section to preside over any disciplinary proceeding has the authority described in s. 227.46 (1), Stats. Unless otherwise directed by a disciplinary authority pursuant to s. 227.46 (3), Stats., an administrative law judge presiding over a disciplinary proceeding shall prepare a proposed decision, including findings of fact, conclusions of law, order and opinion, in a form that may be adopted as the final decision in the case. SPS 2.10(3)(3) Service of proposed decision. Unless otherwise directed by a disciplinary authority, the proposed decision shall be served by the administrative law judge on all parties with a notice providing each party adversely affected by the proposed decision with an opportunity to file with the disciplinary authority objections and written argument with respect to the objections. A party adversely affected by a proposed decision shall have at least 10 days from the date of service of the proposed decision to file objections and argument. SPS 2.10 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, October, 1978, No. 274, eff. 11-1-78; r. and recr. (1), Register, November, 1986, No. 371, eff. 12-1-86; correction in (2) made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register, May, 1988, No. 389; am. Register, June, 1992, No. 438, eff. 7-1-92; CR 13-077: am. (1) Register April 2014 No. 700, eff. 5-1-14. SPS 2.11SPS 2.11 Prehearing conference. In any matter pending before the disciplinary authority the complainant and the respondent, or their attorneys, may be directed by the disciplinary authority or administrative law judge to appear at a conference or to participate in a telephone conference to consider the simplification of issues, the necessity or desirability of amendments to the pleadings, the admission of facts or documents which will avoid unnecessary proof and such other matters as may aid in the disposition of the matter. SPS 2.11 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, October, 1978, No. 274, eff. 11-1-78; am. Register, June, 1992, No. 438, eff. 1992. SPS 2.12SPS 2.12 Settlements. No stipulation or settlement agreement disposing of a complaint or informal complaint shall be effective or binding in any respect until reduced to writing, signed by the respondent and approved by the disciplinary authority. SPS 2.12 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, October, 1978, No. 274, eff. 11-1-78; am. Register, June, 1992, No. 438, eff. 7-1-92. SPS 2.13SPS 2.13 Discovery. The person prosecuting the complaint and the respondent may, prior to the date set for hearing, obtain discovery by use of the methods described in ch. 804, Stats., for the purposes set forth therein. Protective orders, including orders to terminate or limit examinations, orders compelling discovery, sanctions provided in s. 804.12, Stats., or other remedies as are appropriate for failure to comply with such orders may be made by the presiding officer. SPS 2.13 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, October, 1978, No. 274, eff. 11-1-78. SPS 2.14SPS 2.14 Default. If the respondent fails to answer as required by s. SPS 2.09 or fails to appear at the hearing at the time fixed therefor, the respondent is in default and the disciplinary authority may make findings and enter an order on the basis of the complaint and other evidence. The disciplinary authority may, for good cause, relieve the respondent from the effect of such findings and permit the respondent to answer and defend at any time before the disciplinary authority enters an order or within a reasonable time thereafter. SPS 2.14 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, October, 1978, No. 274, eff. 11-1-78; am. Register, June, 1992, No. 438, eff. 7-1-92; correction made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register November 2011 No. 671. SPS 2.15(1)(1) Presiding officer. The hearing shall be presided over by a member of the disciplinary authority or an administrative law judge designated pursuant to s. SPS 2.10. SPS 2.15(2)(2) Record. A stenographic, electronic or other record shall be made of all hearings in which the testimony of witnesses is offered as evidence. SPS 2.15(3)(3) Evidence. The complainant and the respondent shall have the right to appear in person or by counsel, to call, examine, and cross-examine witnesses and to introduce evidence into the record. SPS 2.15(4)(4) Briefs. The presiding officer may require the filing of briefs. SPS 2.15(5)(5) Motions. All motions, except those made at hearing, shall be in writing, filed with the presiding officer and a copy served upon the opposing party not later than 5 days before the time specified for hearing the motion. SPS 2.15(5m)(5m) Summary judgement. The parties may use the summary judgment procedure provided in s. 802.08, Stats. SPS 2.15(6)(6) Adjournments. The presiding officer may, for good cause, grant continuances, adjournments and extensions of time. SPS 2.15(7)(a)(a) Subpoenas for the attendance of any witness at a hearing in the proceeding may be issued in accordance with s. 885.01, Stats. Service shall be made in the manner provided in s. 805.07 (5), Stats. A subpoena may command the person to whom it is directed to produce the books, papers, documents, or tangible things designated therein. SPS 2.15(7)(b)(b) A presiding officer may issue protective orders according to the provision the provisions of s. 805.07, Stats. SPS 2.15(8)(8) Location of hearing. All hearings shall be held at the offices of the department of safety and professional services in Madison unless the presiding officer determines that the health or safety of a witness or of a party or an emergency requires that a hearing be held elsewhere. SPS 2.15 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, October, 1978, No. 274, eff. 11-1-78; am. (1), (5) and (6), cr. (8), Register, June, 1992, No. 438, eff. 7-1-92; correction in (1), (8) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 6., 7., Stats., Register November 2011 No. 671; CR 14-019: cr. (5m) Register August 2014 No. 704, eff. 9-1-14. SPS 2.16SPS 2.16 Witness fees and costs. Witnesses subpoenaed at the request of the division or the disciplinary authority shall be entitled to compensation from the state for attendance and travel as provided in ch. 885, Stats. SPS 2.16 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, October, 1978, No. 274, eff. 11-1-78; am. Register, June, 1992, No. 438, eff. 7-1-92. SPS 2.17(1)(1) The fee charged for a transcript of a proceeding under this chapter shall be computed by the person or reporting service preparing the transcript on the following basis: SPS 2.17(1)(a)(a) If the transcript is prepared by a reporting service, the fee charged for an original transcription and for copies shall be the amount identified in the state operational purchasing bulletin which identifies the reporting service and its fees. SPS 2.17(1)(b)(b) If a transcript is prepared by the department, the department shall charge a transcription fee of $1.75 per page and a copying charge of $.25 per page. If 2 or more persons request a transcript, the department shall charge each requester a copying fee of $.25 per page, but may divide the transcript fee equitably among the requesters. If the department has prepared a written transcript for its own use prior to the time a request is made, the department shall assume the transcription fee, but shall charge a copying fee of $.25 per page. SPS 2.17(2)(2) A person who is without means and who requires a transcript for appeal or other reasonable purposes shall be furnished with a transcript without charge upon the filing of a petition of indigency signed under oath. SPS 2.17 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, October, 1978, No. 274, eff. 11-1-78; am. (1) Register, May, 1982, No. 317, eff. 6-1-82; r. and recr. Register, June, 1992, No. 438, eff. 7-1-92; am. (1) (b), Register, August, 1993, No. 452, eff. 9-1-93. SPS 2.18(1)(1) The proposed decision of an administrative law judge following hearing shall include a recommendation whether all or part of the costs of the proceeding shall be assessed against the respondent. SPS 2.18(2)(2) If a respondent objects to the recommendation of an administrative law judge that costs be assessed, objections to the assessment of costs shall be filed, along with any other objections to the proposed decision, within the time established for filing of objections. SPS 2.18(3)(3) The disciplinary authority’s final decision and order imposing discipline in a disciplinary proceeding shall include a determination whether all or part of the costs of the proceeding shall be assessed against the respondent. SPS 2.18(4)(4) When costs are imposed, the division and the administrative law judge shall file supporting affidavits showing costs incurred. The respondent shall file any objection to the affidavits within 15 days of the date of mailing of both affidavits from the division and administrative law judge to the respondent. The disciplinary authority shall review any objections, along with the affidavits, and issue an order fixing costs without a hearing. SPS 2.18 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, June, 1992, No. 438, eff. 7-1-92; CR 14-019: am. (4) Register August 2014 No. 704, eff. 9-1-14. SPS 2.20SPS 2.20 Extension of time limits in disciplinary actions against physicians. SPS 2.20(2)(2) Computing time limits. In computing time limits under s. 448.02 (3) (cm), Stats., the date of initiating an investigation shall be the date of the decision to commence an investigation of an informal complaint following the screening of the informal complaint under s. SPS 2.035, except that if the decision to commence an investigation of an informal complaint is made more than 45 days after the date of receipt of the informal complaint in the division, or if no screening of the informal complaint is conducted, the time for initiating an investigation shall commence 45 days after the date of receipt of the informal complaint in the division. The date that the medical examining board initiates a disciplinary action shall be the date that a disciplinary proceeding is commenced under s. SPS 2.04. SPS 2.20(3)(3) Procedure for requesting an extension of time. The medical examining board or the division on behalf of the medical examining board shall make a written request for an extension of time under s. 448.02 (3) (cm), Stats., to the secretary of the department of safety and professional services and shall state all of the following: SPS 2.20(3)(a)(a) The nature of the investigation and the date of initiating the investigation. SPS 2.20(3)(b)(b) The number of days the medical examining board requires as an extension in order to determine whether a physician is guilty of unprofessional conduct or negligence in treatment and to initiate disciplinary action. SPS 2.20(4)(4) Factors to be considered. In deciding whether to grant or deny a specified extension of time for the medical examining board to determine whether a physician is guilty of unprofessional conduct or negligence in treatment, the secretary of the department of safety and professional services shall consider the information set forth in the request and at least the following factors: SPS 2.20(4)(a)(a) The nature and complexity of the investigation including the cause of any delays encountered during the investigation. SPS 2.20(4)(b)(b) Whether delays encountered during the screening of the complaint or the complaint handling process were caused in whole or part by the fact that record custodians, witnesses, or persons investigated did not make a timely response to requests for records or other evidence. SPS 2.20(4)(c)(c) Whether civil or criminal litigation relating to the matter investigated caused any delay in the investigation. SPS 2.20(4)(d)(d) The quality and complexity of evidence available to the medical examining board. SPS 2.20(4)(e)(e) The extent to which the physician will be prejudiced by an extension of time. SPS 2.20(4)(f)(f) The potential harm to the public if the investigation is terminated without a determination of whether the physician complained about is guilty of unprofessional conduct or negligence in treatment. SPS 2.20(5)(5) Approve or deny an extension. The secretary of the department of safety and professional services shall approve or deny a request for an extension within 20 days of receipt. A request not approved within 20 days shall be deemed denied. SPS 2.20 HistoryHistory: CR 02-103: cr. Register March 2004 No. 579, eff. 4-1-04; correction in (2), (3) (intro.), (4) (intro.), (5) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 6., 7., Stats., Register November 2011 No. 671.
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