Missouri Code of State Regulations › Title 20 - DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND INSURANCE › Division 2145 - Missouri Board of Geologist Registration › Chapter 3 - Complaint Handling › Section 20 CSR 2145-3.010 - Complaint Handling and Disposition Procedure

Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 14, July 15, 2024
PURPOSE: This rule establishes a procedure for the
				  receipt, handling and disposition of public complaints pursuant to the mandate
				  of section 620.010.16(6), RSMo.
(1) The Missouri Board of Geologist
				Registration will receive and process each complaint made against any
				registered geologist or geologist-registrant in-training of the board, or
				unlicensed individual or entity, which complaint alleges certain acts or
				practices which may constitute one (1) or more violations of the provisions of
				sections 256.450-256.483, RSMo. Any member of the public or the profession, or
				any federal, state or local official, may make and file a complaint with the
				board. Complaints will be received from sources within Missouri and outside of
				this state. No member of the Missouri Board of Geologist Registration may file
				a complaint with this board while holding that office, unless that member is
				excused from further board deliberation or activity concerning the matters
				alleged within that complaint. The division director or any board staff member
				may file a complaint pursuant to this rule in the same manner as any member of
				the public.
(2) Complaints shall be
				mailed or delivered to the following address: Missouri Board of Geologist
				Registration, 3605 Missouri Boulevard, PO Box 1335, Jefferson City, MO 65102.
				However, actual receipt of the complaint by the board at its administrative
				office in any manner shall be sufficient. Complaints may be based upon personal
				knowledge, or upon information and belief, reciting information received from
				other sources.
(3) All complaints
				shall be made in writing and shall fully identify the complainant by name and
				address. Verbal or telephone communications will not be considered or processed
				as complaints, however the person making such communications will be asked to
				supplement those communications with a written statement. Individuals with
				special needs addressed by the Americans with Disabilities Act should contact
				the board office at (573) 526-7625. The telecommunications device for the deaf
				(TDD) is (800) 735-2966.
(4) Each
				complaint received under this rule will be logged in and maintained by the
				board for that purpose. The log will contain a record of each complainant's
				name and address; the name and address of the sub-ject(s) of the complaint; the
				date each complaint is received by the board; a brief statement of the acts
				complained of; a notation whether the complaint resulted in its dismissal by
				the board or informal charges being filed with the Administrative Hearing
				Commission; and the ultimate disposition of the complaint. This log shall be a
				closed record of the board.
(5)
				Each complaint received under this rule shall be acknowledged in writing. The
				complainant shall be notified of the ultimate disposition of the
				complaint.
(6) This rule shall not
				be deemed to limit the board's authority to file a complaint with the
				Administrative Hearing Commission charging a registered geologist or
				geologist-registrant in-training of the board with any actionable conduct or
				violation, whether or not such a complaint exceeds the scope of the acts
				charged in a preliminary public complaint filed with the board, and whether or
				not any public complaint has been filed with the board.
(7) The board interprets this rule, which is
				required by law, to exist for the benefit of those members of the public who
				submit complaints to the board. This rule is not deemed to protect, or inure to
				the benefit of those registered geologists or geologist-registrants in-training
				or other persons against whom the board has instituted or may institute
				administrative or judicial proceedings concerning possible violations of the
				provisions of sections 256.450-256.483, RSMo.
*Original authority: 256.462, RSMo
					 1994.