RULE NO: RULE TITLE
64B8-8.001: Disciplinary Guidelines
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The proposed rule amendments are intended to set forth additional disciplinary guidelines for specific violations.
SUMMARY: The proposed rule amendments address recent additional violations with regard to disciplinary guidelines.
SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS: No Statement of Estimated Regulatory Cost was prepared. The Board has determined that the proposed rule amendments will not have an impact on small business.
Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: 456.0375(4)(c), 456.50(2), 456.0575, 456.079, 458.309, 458.331(5) FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 456.0375(4)(c), 456.50(2), 456.0575, 456.072, 456.079, 458.331(5) FS.
IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE SCHEDULED AND ANNOUNCED IN FAW.
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Larry McPherson, Jr., Executive Director, Board of Medicine/MQA, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin #C03, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3253

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

64B8-8.001 Disciplinary Guidelines.

(1) No change.

(2) Violations and Range of Penalties. In imposing discipline upon applicants and licensees, in proceedings pursuant to Sections 120.57(1) and (2), F.S., the Board shall act in accordance with the following disciplinary guidelines and shall impose a penalty within the range corresponding to the violations set forth below. The verbal identification of offenses are descriptive only; the full language of each statutory provision cited must be consulted in order to determine the conduct included.

RECOMMENDED RANGE OF PENALTY
VIOLATION	FIRST OFFENSE	SECOND OFFENSE	THIRD OFFENSE
(a) through (uu) No change.
(vv) Engaging in a pattern of practice when prescribing medicinal drugs or controlled substances which demonstrates a lack of reasonable skill or safety to patients. (456.072(1)(gg), F.S.)	(vv) From one (1) year probation to revocation or denial and 50 to 100 hours of community service; and an administrative fine from $1,000.00 to $10,000.00.	(vv) From suspension, to be followed by a period of probation, and 100 to 200 hours of community service to revocation or denial and an administrative fine from $5,000.00 to $10,000.00.
(ww)~~(vv)~~ Being terminated from a treatment program for impaired practitioners, for failure to comply with the terms of the monitoring or treatment contract or for not successfully completing any drug-treatment or alcohol-treatment program. (456.072(1)(hh)~~(gg)~~, F.S.)	(ww)~~(vv)~~ From suspension until licensee demonstrates compliance with all terms of the monitoring or treatment contract, and is able to demonstrate to the Board the ability to practice with reasonable skill and safety to be followed by a term of probation; and a fine of $1,000 to $2,500, to revocation.	(ww)~~(vv)~~ From suspension until licensee demonstrates compliance with all terms of the monitoring or treatment contract and is able to demonstrate to the Board the ability to practice with reasonable skill and safety to be followed by a term of probation; and a fine of $2,500 to $10,000, to revocation.
(xx) Being convicted of, or entering a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to any misdemeanor or felony, regardless of adjudication, under 18 USC s. 669, ss. 285-287, s. 371, s. 1001, s. 1035, s. 1341, s. 1343, s. 1347, s. 1349, or s. 1518, or 42 USC ss. 1320a-7b, relating to the Medicaid program. (456.072(1)(ii), F.S.)	(xx) Revocation and a fine of $10,000, or in the case of application for licensure, denial of license.
(yy) Failing to remit the sum owed to the state for overpayment from the Medicaid program pursuant to a final order, judgment, or settlement. (456.072(1)(jj), F.S.)	(yy) From a letter of concern to probation, and a fine of $500 to $5,000.	(yy) From a reprimand to revocation, and a fine of $2,500 to $5,000.
(zz) Being terminated from the state Medicaid program, or any other state Medicaid program, or the federal Medicare program. (456.072(1)(kk), F.S.)	(zz) From a letter of concern to suspension, and a fine of $1,000 to $5,000.	(zz) From a reprimand to revocation, and a fine of $5,000 to $10,000.
(aaa) Being convicted of, or entering into a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to any misdemeanor or felony, regardless of adjudication, which relates to health care fraud. (456.072(1)(ll), F.S.)	(aaa) Revocation and a fine of $10,000, or in the case of application for licensure, denial of license.
(3) through (7) No change.

Rulemaking ~~Specific~~ Authority 456.0375(4)(c),456.50(2), 456.0575, 456.079, 458.309, 458.331(5) FS. Law Implemented 456.0375(4)(c), 456.50(2), 456.0575, 456.072, 456.079, 458.331(5) FS. History–New 12-5-79, Formerly 21M-20.01, Amended 1-11-87, 6-20-90, Formerly 21M-20.001, Amended 11-4-93, Formerly 61F6-20.001, Amended 6-24-96, 12-22-96, Formerly 59R-8.001, Amended 5-14-98, 12-28-99, 1-31-01, 7-10-01, 6-4-02, 9-10-02, 12-11-02, 8-20-03, 6-7-04, 8-17-04, 1-4-06, 8-13-06, 8-29-06, 11-22-06, 1-30-07, _________.