65-1517. Revocation, suspension or limitation of license; censure; grounds. A licensee's license may be revoked, suspended or limited, or the licensee may be publicly or privately censured, upon a finding of the existence of any of the following grounds:

(a) The licensee has committed fraud or misrepresentation in applying for or securing an original or renewal license.

(b) The licensee has committed an act of unprofessional conduct or professional incompetence.

(c) The licensee has been convicted of a felony, whether or not related to the practice of optometry.

(d) The licensee has used fraudulent or false advertisements.

(e) The licensee has willfully or repeatedly violated the optometry law, the pharmacy act of the state of Kansas or the uniform controlled substances act, or any rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto.

(f) The licensee has violated an order of the board.

(g) The licensee has failed to pay renewal fees specified in this act.

(h) The licensee has failed to comply with the annual continuing education requirements as required by this act and the board.

(i) The licensee has engaged in the practice of optometry under a false or assumed name, or the impersonation of another practitioner. The provisions of this subsection relating to an assumed name shall not apply to licensees practicing under a professional corporation or other legal entity duly authorized to provide such professional services in the state of Kansas.

(j) The licensee has the inability to perform optometry practice acts with reasonable skill and safety to patients by reason of illness, alcoholism, excessive use of drugs, controlled substances, chemical or any other type of material or as a result of any mental or physical condition. In determining whether or not such inability exists, the board, upon probable cause, shall have authority to compel a licensee to submit to mental or physical examination by such persons as the board may designate. The licensee shall submit to the board a release of information authorizing the board to obtain a report of such examination. A person affected by this subsection shall be offered, at reasonable intervals an opportunity to demonstrate that such person can resume the competent practice of optometry with reasonable skill and safety to patients. For the purpose of this subsection, every person licensed to practice optometry and who shall accept the privilege to practice optometry in this state by so practicing or by the making and filing of an annual renewal to practice optometry in this state shall be deemed to have consented to submit to a mental and physical examination when directed in writing by the board and further to have waived all objections to the admissibility of the testimony or examination report of the person conducting such examination at any proceeding or hearing before the board on the grounds that such testimony or examination report constitutes a privileged communication. In any proceeding by the board pursuant to the provisions of this subsection, the record of such board proceedings involving the mental and physical examination shall not be used in any other administrative or judicial proceeding.

(k) The licensee has had a license to practice optometry revoked, suspended or limited, has been censured or has had other disciplinary action taken, or an application for a license denied, by the proper licensing authority of another state, territory, District of Columbia, or other country, a certified copy of the record of the action of the other jurisdiction being conclusive evidence thereof.

(l) The licensee has violated any lawful rules and regulations promulgated by the board or violated any lawful order or directive of the board previously entered by the board.

(m) The licensee has cheated on or attempted to subvert the validity of the examination for a license.

(n) The licensee has been found to be mentally ill, disabled, not guilty by reason of insanity, not guilty because the licensee suffers from a mental disease or defect or incompetent to stand trial by a court of competent jurisdiction.

(o) The licensee has violated a federal law or regulation relating to controlled substances.

(p) The licensee has failed to furnish the board, or its investigators or representatives, any information legally requested by the board.

(q) Sanctions or disciplinary actions have been taken against the licensee by a peer review committee, health care facility or a professional association or society for acts or conduct similar to acts or conduct which would constitute grounds for disciplinary action under this section.

(r) The licensee has failed to report to the board any adverse action taken against the licensee by another state or licensing jurisdiction, a peer review body, a health care facility, a professional association or society, a governmental agency, by a law enforcement agency or a court for acts or conduct similar to acts or conduct which would constitute grounds for disciplinary action under this section.

(s) The licensee has surrendered a license or authorization to practice optometry in another state or jurisdiction or has surrendered the licensee's membership on any professional staff or in any professional association or society while under investigation for acts or conduct similar to acts or conduct which would constitute grounds for disciplinary action under this section.

(t) The licensee has failed to report to the board surrender of the licensee's license or authorization to practice optometry in another state or jurisdiction or surrender of the licensee's membership on any professional staff or in any professional association or society while under investigation for acts or conduct which would constitute grounds for disciplinary action under this section.

(u) The licensee has an adverse judgment, award or settlement against the licensee resulting from a medical liability claim related to acts or conduct similar to acts or conduct which would constitute grounds for disciplinary action under this section.

(v) The licensee has failed to report to the board any adverse judgment, settlement or award against the licensee resulting from a malpractice liability claim related to acts or conduct similar to acts or conduct which would constitute grounds for disciplinary action under this section.

(w) The licensee has failed to maintain a policy of professional liability insurance as required by K.S.A. 40-3402 or 40-3403a, and amendments thereto, or pay the annual premium as required by K.S.A. 40-3404, and amendments thereto.

(x) The licensee has knowingly submitted any misleading, deceptive, false or fraudulent representation on a claim form bill or statement.

(y) The licensee has failed to provide to a patient the patient's written prescription for lenses for eyeglasses subsequent to the completion of the eye examination in accordance with applicable state or federal law.

History: L. 1990, ch. 223, § 13; L. 1995, ch. 251, § 34; L. 2012, ch. 8, § 7; July 1.