(A) In addition to the grounds for disciplinary action provided in Chapter 1 of Title 40, the board may revoke, suspend, reprimand, or otherwise restrict or limit the license of an optometrist or reprimand or otherwise discipline a licensee when it is established to the satisfaction of the board that the licensee:
- (1) has been convicted of a felony or any crime involving moral turpitude; forfeiture of a bond or a plea of nolo contendere is considered a conviction;
- (2) has knowingly performed an act that in any way assists a person to practice optometry illegally;
- (3) has caused to be published or circulated, directly or indirectly, fraudulent, false, or misleading statements as to the skill or methods of practice of an optometrist;
- (4) has failed to provide and maintain reasonable sanitary facilities;
- (5) is guilty of obtaining fees or assisting in obtaining fees under deceptive, false, or fraudulent circumstances;
- (6) has violated a provision of this chapter or regulations promulgated under this chapter;
- (7) has been guilty of using third-party solicitation that is untruthful, deceptive, or coercive to obtain patronage.
- (B) In addition to all other remedies and actions provided for in this chapter, the license of an optometrist adjudged mentally incompetent by a court of competent jurisdiction automatically must be suspended by the board until the optometrist is adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction or in any other manner provided by law as being restored to mental competency.
HISTORY: 2005 Act No. 135, Section 1.