1. (a) Each health occupations board shall adopt specific sanctioning guidelines, including:

   1. (1) A range of sanctions that is based on historical data or a normative process for each type of violation; and
   2. (2) A list of mitigating and aggravating circumstances that may be used to decide if a sanction falls within or outside the established range of sanctions.

2. (b) Sanctioning guidelines adopted under this section shall:

   1. (1) Conform to a general framework or incorporate a common set of elements; and
   2. (2) Be used as a guide for sanctioning licensees and certificate holders in formal and informal proceedings.

3. (c)

   1. (1) To the extent a health occupations board departs from the sanctioning guidelines adopted under this section, the board shall state its reasons.
   2. (2) A departure from the guidelines alone is not grounds for any hearing or appeal of any board action.

Added by Acts 2010, c. 533, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2010; Acts 2010, c. 534, § 1, eff. July 1, 2010.