1. (a) The state department may delay renewing an individual's certification or registration under this article for not more than one hundred twenty (120) days after the expiration of the certification or registration to allow the state department to investigate a complaint concerning an allegation described in section 2 of this chapter against the individual.

2. (b) If the state department delays renewing an individual's certification or registration as described in subsection (a), the following must occur:

   1. (1) The state department shall notify the individual of the complaint and begin an investigation.
   2. (2) Before the delay period described in subsection (a) ends, the commission shall review evidence provided by the state department and hold a hearing to make a determination concerning the allegation, the individual's application for renewal, and, if appropriate, disciplinary action.

3. (c) An individual's certification or registration remains valid under this section until the earlier of:

   1. (1) the commission's determination under subsection (b); or
   2. (2) the individual's application for renewal is denied.
4. (d) If the commission fails to make a determination required under subsection (b), the state department shall renew the individual's certification or registration.

As added by P.L.143-2025, SEC.24. Amended by P.L.23-2026, SEC.127.