A. Complaints against any person for alleged violations of the Funeral Services Licensing Act or of any of the rules issued pursuant thereto shall be in writing, signed by the complainant and filed with the executive director of the Oklahoma Funeral Board. In addition to the general public, any member or employee of the Board, or the executive director of the Oklahoma Funeral Board, may sign a complaint for any violation of which the executive director has knowledge. All complaints shall name the person complained of, and shall state the time and place of the alleged violations and the facts of which the complainant has knowledge. Upon receiving a complaint, the Board shall examine the complaint, and determine whether there is a reasonable cause to believe the charges to be true.

B. If upon inspection, investigation or complaint, or whenever the Board determines that there are reasonable grounds to believe that a violation of the Funeral Services Licensing Act or of any rule promulgated pursuant thereto has occurred, the Board shall give written notice to the alleged violator specifying the cause of complaint. The notice shall require that the matters complained of be corrected immediately or that the alleged violator appear before the Board at a time and place specified in the notice and answer the charges. The notice shall be delivered to the alleged violator in accordance with the provisions of subsection E of this section.

C. The Board shall afford the alleged violator an opportunity for a fair hearing in accordance with the provisions of subsection F of this section not less than fifteen (15) days after receipt of the notice provided for in subsection B of this section. On the basis of the evidence produced at the hearing, the Board shall make findings of fact and conclusions of law and enter an order thereon. The Board shall give written notice of the order to the alleged violator and to any other persons who appeared at the hearing and made written request for notice of the order. If the hearing is held before a hearing officer as provided for in subsection F of this section, the hearing officer shall transmit the record of the hearing together with recommendations for findings of fact and conclusions of law to the Board which shall thereupon enter its order. The Board may enter its order on the basis of such record or, before issuing its order, require additional hearings or further evidence to be presented. The order of the Board shall become final and binding on all parties unless appealed to the district court pursuant to Article II of the Administrative Procedures Act, within thirty (30) days after notice has been sent to the parties.

D. Whenever the Board finds that as a result of a violation of the Funeral Services Licensing Act or any rule promulgated thereto an emergency exists requiring immediate action to protect the public health or welfare, the Board may without notice or hearing issue an order stating the existence of an emergency and requiring that action be taken as it deems necessary to meet the emergency. The order shall be effective immediately. Any person to whom an order is directed shall comply with the order immediately but on application to the Board shall be afforded a hearing within ten (10) days of receipt of the notice. On the basis of a hearing, the Board shall continue the order in effect, revoke it or modify it. Any person aggrieved by an order continued after the hearing provided for in this subsection may appeal to the district court of the county in which the person resides, or in which the business of the person is located, within thirty (30) days of the Board's action. The appeal when docketed shall have priority over all cases pending on the docket, except criminal cases.

E. Except as otherwise expressly provided by law, any notice, order or other instrument issued by or pursuant to authority of the Board may be served on any person affected thereby personally, by publication or by mailing a copy of the notice, order or other instrument by registered mail directed to the person affected at his last-known post office address as shown by the files or records of the Board. Proof of service shall be made as in the case of service of a summons or by publication in a civil action or may be made by the affidavit of the person who did the mailing. Proof of service shall be filed in the office of the Board.

Every certificate or affidavit of service made and filed as provided for in this subsection shall be prima facie evidence of the facts therein stated. A certified copy thereof shall have like force and effect.

F. The hearings authorized by this section may be conducted by the Board. The Board may designate hearing officers who shall have the power and authority to conduct hearings in the name of the Board at any time and place. The hearings shall be conducted in conformity with and records made thereof pursuant to Article II of the Administrative Procedures Act.

G. All records on complaints filed against any licensee pursuant to the Funeral Services Licensing Act shall be exempt from the Oklahoma Open Records Act unless the Board gave written notice of the complaint pursuant to subsection B of this section.

Added by Laws 1989, c. 297, § 14, eff. Nov. 1, 1989. Amended by Laws 2003, c. 57, § 16, emerg. eff. April 10, 2003.