37-43-310. Disciplinary procedure. (1) If, after investigation and attempted settlement under 37-43-309, compliance with lawful requirements is not demonstrated or achieved, the board may initiate discipline by issuing a proposed disciplinary order. The proposed order must state the factual and legal basis for the order and identify the witnesses, documents, logs, and reports relied upon by the board in reaching a decision. Copies of any documents, logs, or reports must be attached to the proposed order.
     (2) The board shall mail or deliver a copy of the proposed order to the licensee, along with notice that the licensee may request a hearing to show cause why the order should be rejected or modified. If a hearing is not requested within 20 days, the board shall adopt the proposed order as a final order.
     (3) A request for hearing must be in writing and specify which, if any, board witnesses the licensee wishes to cross-examine. If a timely request for hearing is received, the board shall schedule a hearing before the board or assign a hearings examiner to conduct the hearing at a later date to be set by the hearings examiner. The board shall make the specified witnesses available for cross-examination at the hearing.
     (4) The licensee has the burden to show cause why the proposed order should be rejected or modified. The licensee may cross-examine the board's witnesses, present evidence, propose alternative discipline, argue issues of law and fact, or otherwise attempt to convince the board that the proposed order should be rejected or modified.
     (5) After considering the evidence, proposals, and arguments presented at the hearing, the board shall issue its final order adopting, rejecting, or modifying the proposed order. The final order must state the reason for the adoption, rejection, or modification of the proposed order.
     (6) A final disciplinary order may be appealed to the district court in the first judicial district and is reviewable according to the rules and standards for judicial review of contested cases pursuant to the Montana Administrative Procedure Act.

     History: En. Sec. 4, Ch. 284, L. 1993.