Section 34-22-83

Jurisdiction of board; duties of licensees; suspension of license.

(a) The issuance by the board of a special purpose license to practice optometry across state lines subjects the licensee to the jurisdiction of the board in all matters set forth in Sections 34-22-1 to 34-22-43, inclusive, and implementing rules and regulations of the board, including all matters related to discipline. It shall be the affirmative duty of every licensee to report to the Alabama Board of Optometry in writing within 15 days of the initiation of any disciplinary action against the licensee to practice optometry by any state or territory in which the licensee is licensed. In addition, the licensee agrees, by acceptance of the license, to produce patient records or materials as requested by the board or to appear before the board or any of its committees following receipt of a written notice issued by the board. Such notice may be issued by the board pursuant to Sections 34-22-1 to 34-22-43, inclusive.

(b) The Alabama Board of Optometry is hereby authorized to temporarily suspend a special purpose license to practice optometry across state lines without a hearing on either of the following grounds:

(1) The failure of the licensee to appear or produce records or materials as requested by the board.

(2) The initiation of a disciplinary action against the licensee by any state or territorial licensing jurisdiction in which the licensee holds a license to practice optometry.

(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, including the Alabama Administrative Procedure Act, the temporary suspension provided herein shall remain in effect until either the licensee has complied with the request of the board or the disciplinary action pending against the licensee has been terminated in favor of the licensee and the temporary suspension is terminated by a written order of the Alabama Board of Optometry. A special purpose license to practice optometry across state lines is subject to each of the grounds for disciplinary action provided in Section 34-22-6, in accordance with the procedures of Section 34-22-8, and the Alabama Administrative Procedure Act.

(Act 98-495, p. 956, §4.)