Source: https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=R&app=5&p_dir=&p_rloc=192232&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=192232&ti=22&pt=5&ch=107&rl=63
Timestamp: 2020-07-02 17:05:17
Document Index: 603949561

Matched Legal Cases: ['§107', '§263', '§263', '§263', '§263', '§263', '§263', '§107']

RULE §107.63 Informal Disposition and Mediation
(a) Policy. It is the Board's policy to encourage, where appropriate, the resolution and early settlement of contested disciplinary matters and internal disputes through informal disposition and mediation.
<?Pub Caret -2> (b) Informal Disposition. Under Texas Occupations Code §263.0065, the Board may delegate the authority to dismiss or enter into agreed settlement for the resolution of certain complaints prior to an informal settlement conference. Texas Occupations Code §263.007 and §263.0073 authorize the Board to resolve complaints by review at an informal settlement conference.
(d) Informal Settlement Conference.
(1) Two or more members of the Board or the Dental Review Committee shall represent the full Board at the informal settlement conference, and at least one panelist must be a dentist. At least one member of the representative panel shall be present in person, but other members of the panel may appear via teleconference.
(A) Notwithstanding subsection (d)(1) of this section, an informal settlement conference may be conducted by one panelist if the license holder who is the subject of the complaint waives the requirement that at least two panelists conduct the conference. If the license holder waives that requirement, the panelist may be a dentist, a dental hygienist, or a member who represents the public. If the licensee attends the scheduled informal settlement conference and, after being informed of the requirements of Texas Occupations Code §263.0072, does not object during the scheduled time of the conference to the lack of two panel members, the licensee shall have waived the requirement for purposes of that complaint's proceedings.
(4) The settlement conference shall be informal and will not follow the procedure established in State Office of Administrative Hearing (SOAH) rules for contested cases. The settlement conference will be conducted by representatives of the Board. The Board's representatives may call upon the Board's attorney at any time for assistance in conducting the settlement conference. The licensee, his or her attorney, representative(s) of the Board, and Board staff may question witnesses, make relevant statements, present affidavits or statements of persons not in attendance, and may present such other evidence as may be appropriate.
(5) The Board's representatives may prohibit or limit access to the Board's investigative file by the licensee, his or her attorney, and the complainant and his or her representative.
(6) The Board's representatives shall exclude from the settlement conference all persons except the patient or other witnesses; the licensee and his or her attorney; the complainant; Board members; and Board staff. Complainants and licensees shall not be present in the informal settlement conference at the same time unless both parties consent, and the Board's representatives may exclude parties at any time to ensure the conference proceeds efficiently and with appropriate decorum.
(7) At the conclusion of the settlement conference, the Board's representatives shall make recommendations for resolution or correction of any alleged violations of the Dental Practice Act or of the Board rules. Such recommendations may include any disciplinary actions authorized by Texas Occupations Code §263.002 or a remedial plan authorized by §263.0077 of the Dental Practice Act. The Board's representatives may, on the basis that a violation of the Dental Practice Act or the Board's rules has not been established, dismiss the complaint. Dismissal of a complaint by the Board's representatives shall be adopted after presentation to the full Board for an affirmative vote. A recommendation to dismiss a complaint requires no further action by the Respondent.
(e) Use of Mediation in Contested Disciplinary Matters.
(1) The Executive Director or General Counsel may refer a contested disciplinary matter to a mediation process to seek resolution or correction of any alleged violations of the Dental Practice Act or of the Board rules. Such mediation processes may include any procedure described in the SOAH Rules of Procedure. Referral to mediation may occur prior to or simultaneous with a contested case filed at SOAH.
(2) Any agreement or recommendation resulting from the application of a mediation process to a contested disciplinary matter shall be documented in written form and signed by the licensee, and a representative of the Board and/or the Executive Director. Such an agreement or recommendation may include any actions authorized by Chapter 263 of the Dental Practice Act.
(3) If the mediation process results in no agreement or recommendation, the matter shall be referred to SOAH for a contested case hearing.
(f) Consideration by the Board.
(1) The Board may order a licensee to pay restitution to a patient as provided in a proposed agreed settlement order or other agreement or recommendation, instead of or in addition to any administrative penalty.
Source Note: The provisions of this §107.63 adopted to be effective July 18, 1989, 14 TexReg 2952; amended to be effective April 19, 1998, 23 TexReg 3831; amended to be effective November 30, 1999, 24 TexReg 10547; amended to be effective May 10, 2004, 29 TexReg 4473; amended to be effective February 24, 2008, 33 TexReg 1546; amended to be effective February 2, 2010, 35 TexReg 631; amended to be effective September 14, 2010, 35 TexReg 8342; amended to be effective December 10, 2013, 38 TexReg 8831; amended to be effective March 23, 2015, 40 TexReg 1707; amended to be effective September 24, 2018, 43 TexReg 6274