(A) The executive director of the state chiropractic board shall function as the chief enforcement officer of the board and shall enforce the laws relating to the practice of chiropractic and acupuncture under this chapter. If the executive director has knowledge or notice of a violation of those laws, the executive director shall investigate the matter or cause the matter to be investigated. On probable cause appearing, the executive director shall prosecute the offender or cause the offender to be prosecuted. If the matter involves a violation by an individual licensed under this chapter, the executive director shall bring the matter before the board. If the matter involves a violation for which a penalty may be imposed under section 4734.99 of the Revised Code, the executive director or a person authorized by the board to represent the executive director may file a complaint with the prosecuting attorney of the proper county. Except as provided in division (B) of this section, the prosecuting attorney shall take charge of and conduct the prosecution.

(B) For purposes of enforcing this chapter, the board may petition a court of record to appoint an attorney to assist the prosecuting attorney in the prosecution of offenders or to take charge of and conduct the prosecutions as a special prosecutor. The court shall grant the petition if it is in the public interest. A special prosecutor appointed by the court shall be compensated by the board in an amount approved by the board. If the court believes that public knowledge of the appointment of a special prosecutor could allow one or more persons to interfere with the prosecution or any investigation related to the prosecution, the court may seal all documents pertaining to the appointment. Sealed documents shall remain sealed until there is court action on the prosecution or until the court orders the documents to be opened.

Effective Date: 04-10-2001; 2007 SB33 08-22-2007 .