Sec. 204.351. ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTY

(a) The physician assistant board by order may impose an administrative penalty against a person licensed under this chapter who violates this chapter or a rule or order adopted under this chapter.

(b) The penalty may be in an amount not to exceed $5,000. Each day a violation continues or occurs is a separate violation for purposes of imposing a penalty.

(c) The physician assistant board shall base the amount of the penalty on:

(1) the severity of patient harm;

(2) the severity of economic harm to any person;

(3) the severity of any environmental harm;

(4) increased potential for harm to the public;

(5) any attempted concealment of misconduct;

(6) any premeditated or intentional misconduct;

(7) the motive for the violation;

(8) prior misconduct of a similar or related nature;

(9) the license holder's disciplinary history;

(10) prior written warnings or written admonishments from any government agency or official regarding statutes or regulations relating to the misconduct;

(11) violation of a board order;

(12) failure to implement remedial measures to correct or mitigate harm from the misconduct;

(13) lack of rehabilitative potential or likelihood of future misconduct of a similar nature;

(14) relevant circumstances increasing the seriousness of the misconduct; and

(15) any other matter that justice may require.

(d) The physician assistant board by rule shall prescribe the procedure by which it may impose an administrative penalty. A proceeding under this section is subject to Chapter 2001, Government Code.

(e) If the physician assistant board by order determines that a violation has occurred and imposes an administrative penalty, the board shall give notice to the person of the board's order. The notice must include a statement of the person's right to judicial review of the order.

Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.