§ 5-70-18. Enforcement. (a) The director of labor and training may refuse to issue a certificate, or may revoke or annul a certificate, or may suspend a certificate for a period not to exceed one year for any of the following acts:

(1) Bribery, fraud, or misrepresentation in obtaining a license;

(2) Performing or engaging in the installation, alteration, service, or testing of telecommunications systems in another state or country in violation of the laws of that state or country;

(3) Performing or engaging in the installation, alteration, service, or testing of telecommunications systems in this state in violation of the provisions of this chapter or standards of professional conduct established and published by the director of labor and training;

(4) Fraud, deceit, recklessness, gross negligence, or incompetence in the installation, alteration, service, or testing of a telecommunications system; or

(5) Use of a license serial number in a manner other than that authorized by this chapter.

(b) The division of professional regulation is authorized to provide assistance to the director of labor and training in the normal day-to-day enforcement and administration of this chapter. This assistance shall be in accordance with sections entitled "administration" and "enforcement" of the bylaws of the board. All administrative guidance to the department shall be consistent with the administrative procedures act, chapter 35 of title 42. The board shall be responsible for the expenses incurred in the administration and enforcement of this chapter and shall authorize payment from the fund to the department of labor and training for these expenses.

(c) Any person may prefer charges against an applicant or licensee under subsection (a) of this section by submitting a written statement of charges, sworn to by the complainant with the director of labor and training. The director of labor and training, or his or her designee, shall hear and determine all charges within three (3) months after the date on which the statement of charges was received by the division of professional regulation. The time and place of the hearing shall be fixed by the director of labor and training. The applicant or licensee charged shall be entitled to be represented by counsel. A hearing shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions for hearings of contested cases in the administrative procedures act, chapter 35 of title 42. The director of labor and training, or his or her designee, may administer oaths and conduct examinations. If, after the hearing, a majority of the members of the board, with the approval of the director of labor and training, find the accused applicant or licensee guilty of a charge or charges, it may refuse to issue a license to the accused applicant or it may revoke or suspend the license of the accused licensee.

(d) The director of labor and training may, in his or her discretion, issue a license to any applicant denied licensing under subsection (c) of this section upon presentation of suitable evidence of reform. The director of labor and training may, in his or her discretion, reissue a license revoked or suspended under subsection (c) of this section upon presentation of suitable evidence of reform. There shall be a right to appeal of the reconsideration, should either party choose, through the courts.

(e) Legal counsel of the department of labor and training shall act as legal advisor to the director of labor and training and shall render the legal assistance that is necessary in carrying out the provisions of this chapter. The board may employ counsel and other necessary assistance to be appointed by the governor to aid in the enforcement of this chapter, and the compensation and expenses shall be paid from the fund of the department of labor and training.

History of Section. (P.L. 1994, ch. 346, § 1; P.L. 1999, ch. 175, § 1; P.L. 2019, ch. 308, art. 1, § 28.)