IC 25-1-7
    Chapter 7. Investigation and Prosecution of ComplaintsConcerning Regulated Occupations

IC 25-1-7-1 Version a
Definitions
    Note: This version of section amended by P.L.1-2010, SEC.102,effective until 7-1-2010. See also following version of this sectionamended by P.L.84-2010, SEC.12, effective 7-1-2010, and followingversion of this section amended by P.L.113-2010, SEC.101, effective7-1-2010.
    Sec. 1. As used in this chapter:
    "Board" means the appropriate agency listed in the definition ofregulated occupation in this section.
    "Director" refers to the director of the division of consumerprotection.
    "Division" refers to the division of consumer protection, office ofthe attorney general.
    "Licensee" means a person who is:
        (1) licensed, certified, or registered by a board listed in thissection; and
        (2) the subject of a complaint filed with the division.
    "Person" means an individual, a partnership, a limited liabilitycompany, or a corporation.
    "Regulated occupation" means an occupation in which a personis licensed, certified, or registered by one (1) of the following:
        (1) Indiana board of accountancy (IC 25-2.1-2-1).
        (2) Board of registration for architects and landscape architects(IC 25-4-1-2).
        (3) Indiana auctioneer commission (IC 25-6.1-2-1).
        (4) State board of barber examiners (IC 25-7-5-1).
        (5) State athletic commission (IC 25-9-1).
        (6) Board of chiropractic examiners (IC 25-10-1).
        (7) State board of cosmetology examiners (IC 25-8-3-1).
        (8) State board of dentistry (IC 25-14-1).
        (9) State board of funeral and cemetery service (IC 25-15-9).
        (10) State board of registration for professional engineers (IC25-31-1-3).
        (11) Indiana state board of health facility administrators (IC25-19-1).
        (12) Medical licensing board of Indiana (IC 25-22.5-2).
        (13) Indiana state board of nursing (IC 25-23-1).
        (14) Indiana optometry board (IC 25-24).
        (15) Indiana board of pharmacy (IC 25-26).
        (16) Indiana plumbing commission (IC 25-28.5-1-3).
        (17) Board of podiatric medicine (IC 25-29-2-1).
        (18) Board of environmental health specialists (IC 25-32-1).
        (19) State psychology board (IC 25-33).
        (20) Speech-language pathology and audiology board (IC25-35.6-2).        (21) Indiana real estate commission (IC 25-34.1-2).
        (22) Indiana board of veterinary medical examiners (IC25-38.1).
        (23) Department of natural resources for purposes of licensingwater well drillers under IC 25-39-3.
        (24) Respiratory care committee (IC 25-34.5).
        (25) Private investigator and security guard licensing board (IC25-30-1-5.2).
        (26) Occupational therapy committee (IC 25-23.5).
        (27) Behavioral health and human services licensing board (IC25-23.6).
        (28) Real estate appraiser licensure and certification board (IC25-34.1-8).
        (29) State board of registration for land surveyors (IC25-21.5-2-1).
        (30) Physician assistant committee (IC 25-27.5).
        (31) Indiana athletic trainers board (IC 25-5.1-2-1).
        (32) Indiana dietitians certification board (IC 25-14.5-2-1).
        (33) Indiana hypnotist committee (IC 25-20.5-1-7).
        (34) Indiana physical therapy committee (IC 25-27).
        (35) Manufactured home installer licensing board (IC 25-23.7).
        (36) Home inspectors licensing board (IC 25-20.2-3-1).
        (37) State department of health, for out-of-state mobile healthcare entities.
        (38) State board of massage therapy (IC 25-21.8-2-1).
        (39) Any other occupational or professional agency createdafter June 30, 1981.
As added by Acts 1981, P.L.222, SEC.4. Amended by Acts 1982,P.L.113, SEC.12; P.L.137-1985, SEC.7; P.L.246-1985, SEC.15;P.L.169-1985, SEC.29; P.L.149-1987, SEC.21; P.L.257-1987,SEC.15; P.L.242-1989, SEC.6; P.L.234-1989, SEC.3; P.L.238-1989,SEC.6; P.L.1-1990, SEC.249; P.L.186-1990, SEC.5; P.L.183-1991,SEC.3; P.L.23-1991, SEC.9; P.L.48-1991, SEC.16; P.L.1-1992,SEC.130; P.L.30-1993, SEC.5; P.L.227-1993, SEC.5; P.L.213-1993,SEC.2; P.L.8-1993, SEC.371; P.L.33-1993, SEC.11; P.L.1-1994,SEC.120; P.L.124-1994, SEC.4; P.L.234-1995, SEC.3;P.L.175-1997, SEC.5; P.L.147-1997, SEC.8; P.L.84-1998, SEC.3;P.L.24-1999, SEC.4; P.L.82-2000, SEC.4; P.L.162-2002, SEC.4;P.L.145-2003, SEC.4; P.L.185-2007, SEC.4; P.L.193-2007, SEC.4;P.L.200-2007, SEC.5; P.L.3-2008, SEC.178; P.L.134-2008, SEC.16;P.L.1-2009, SEC.138; P.L.122-2009, SEC.5; P.L.160-2009, SEC.7;P.L.1-2010, SEC.102.

IC 25-1-7-1 Version b
Definitions
    Note: This version of section amended by P.L.84-2010, SEC.12,effective 7-1-2010. See also preceding version of this sectionamended by P.L.1-2010, SEC.102, effective until 7-1-2010, andfollowing version of this section amended by P.L.113-2010, SEC.101,effective 7-1-2010.    Sec. 1. As used in this chapter:
    "Board" means the appropriate agency listed in the definition ofregulated occupation in this section.
    "Director" refers to the director of the division of consumerprotection.
    "Division" refers to the division of consumer protection, office ofthe attorney general.
    "Licensee" means a person who is:
        (1) licensed, certified, or registered by a board listed in thissection; and
        (2) the subject of a complaint filed with the division.
    "Person" means an individual, a partnership, a limited liabilitycompany, or a corporation.
    "Regulated occupation" means an occupation in which a personis licensed, certified, or registered by one (1) of the following:
        (1) Indiana board of accountancy (IC 25-2.1-2-1).
        (2) Board of registration for architects and landscape architects(IC 25-4-1-2).
        (3) Indiana auctioneer commission (IC 25-6.1-2-1).
        (4) State athletic commission (IC 25-9-1).
        (5) Board of chiropractic examiners (IC 25-10-1).
        (6) State board of cosmetology and barber examiners (IC25-8-3-1).
        (7) State board of dentistry (IC 25-14-1).
        (8) State board of funeral and cemetery service (IC 25-15-9).
        (9) State board of registration for professional engineers (IC25-31-1-3).
        (10) Indiana state board of health facility administrators (IC25-19-1).
        (11) Medical licensing board of Indiana (IC 25-22.5-2).
        (12) Indiana state board of nursing (IC 25-23-1).
        (13) Indiana optometry board (IC 25-24).
        (14) Indiana board of pharmacy (IC 25-26).
        (15) Indiana plumbing commission (IC 25-28.5-1-3).
        (16) Board of podiatric medicine (IC 25-29-2-1).
        (17) State psychology board (IC 25-33).
        (18) Speech-language pathology and audiology board (IC25-35.6-2).
        (19) Indiana real estate commission (IC 25-34.1-2).
        (20) Indiana board of veterinary medical examiners (IC25-38.1).
        (21) Department of natural resources for purposes of licensingwater well drillers under IC 25-39-3.
        (22) Respiratory care committee (IC 25-34.5).
        (23) Private investigator and security guard licensing board (IC25-30-1-5.2).
        (24) Occupational therapy committee (IC 25-23.5).
        (25) Behavioral health and human services licensing board (IC25-23.6).
        (26) Real estate appraiser licensure and certification board (IC

25-34.1-8).
        (27) State board of registration for land surveyors (IC25-21.5-2-1).
        (28) Physician assistant committee (IC 25-27.5).
        (29) Indiana athletic trainers board (IC 25-5.1-2-1).
        (30) Indiana dietitians certification board (IC 25-14.5-2-1).
        (31) Indiana physical therapy committee (IC 25-27).
        (32) Manufactured home installer licensing board (IC 25-23.7).
        (33) Home inspectors licensing board (IC 25-20.2-3-1).
        (34) State department of health, for out-of-state mobile healthcare entities.
        (35) State board of massage therapy (IC 25-21.8-2-1).
        (36) Any other occupational or professional agency createdafter June 30, 1981.
As added by Acts 1981, P.L.222, SEC.4. Amended by Acts 1982,P.L.113, SEC.12; P.L.137-1985, SEC.7; P.L.246-1985, SEC.15;P.L.169-1985, SEC.29; P.L.149-1987, SEC.21; P.L.257-1987,SEC.15; P.L.242-1989, SEC.6; P.L.234-1989, SEC.3; P.L.238-1989,SEC.6; P.L.1-1990, SEC.249; P.L.186-1990, SEC.5; P.L.183-1991,SEC.3; P.L.23-1991, SEC.9; P.L.48-1991, SEC.16; P.L.1-1992,SEC.130; P.L.30-1993, SEC.5; P.L.227-1993, SEC.5; P.L.213-1993,SEC.2; P.L.8-1993, SEC.371; P.L.33-1993, SEC.11; P.L.1-1994,SEC.120; P.L.124-1994, SEC.4; P.L.234-1995, SEC.3;P.L.175-1997, SEC.5; P.L.147-1997, SEC.8; P.L.84-1998, SEC.3;P.L.24-1999, SEC.4; P.L.82-2000, SEC.4; P.L.162-2002, SEC.4;P.L.145-2003, SEC.4; P.L.185-2007, SEC.4; P.L.193-2007, SEC.4;P.L.200-2007, SEC.5; P.L.3-2008, SEC.178; P.L.134-2008, SEC.16;P.L.1-2009, SEC.138; P.L.122-2009, SEC.5; P.L.160-2009, SEC.7;P.L.1-2010, SEC.102; P.L.84-2010, SEC.12.

IC 25-1-7-1 Version c
Definitions
    Note: This version of section amended by P.L.113-2010, SEC.101,effective 7-1-2010. See also preceding version of this sectionamended by P.L.1-2010, SEC.102, effective until 7-1-2010, andpreceding version of this section amended by P.L.84-2010, SEC.12,effective 7-1-2010.
    Sec. 1. As used in this chapter:
    "Board" means the appropriate agency listed in the definition ofregulated occupation in this section.
    "Director" refers to the director of the division of consumerprotection.
    "Division" refers to the division of consumer protection, office ofthe attorney general.
    "Licensee" means a person who is:
        (1) licensed, certified, or registered by a board listed in thissection; and
        (2) the subject of a complaint filed with the division.
    "Person" means an individual, a partnership, a limited liabilitycompany, or a corporation.    "Regulated occupation" means an occupation in which a personis licensed, certified, or registered by one (1) of the following:
        (1) Indiana board of accountancy (IC 25-2.1-2-1).
        (2) Board of registration for architects and landscape architects(IC 25-4-1-2).
        (3) Indiana auctioneer commission (IC 25-6.1-2-1).
        (4) State board of barber examiners (IC 25-7-5-1).
        (5) Board of chiropractic examiners (IC 25-10-1).
        (6) State board of cosmetology examiners (IC 25-8-3-1).
        (7) State board of dentistry (IC 25-14-1).
        (8) State board of funeral and cemetery service (IC 25-15-9).
        (9) State board of registration for professional engineers (IC25-31-1-3).
        (10) Indiana state board of health facility administrators (IC25-19-1).
        (11) Medical licensing board of Indiana (IC 25-22.5-2).
        (12) Indiana state board of nursing (IC 25-23-1).
        (13) Indiana optometry board (IC 25-24).
        (14) Indiana board of pharmacy (IC 25-26).
        (15) Indiana plumbing commission (IC 25-28.5-1-3).
        (16) Board of podiatric medicine (IC 25-29-2-1).
        (17) Board of environmental health specialists (IC 25-32-1).
        (18) State psychology board (IC 25-33).
        (19) Speech-language pathology and audiology board (IC25-35.6-2).
        (20) Indiana real estate commission (IC 25-34.1-2).
        (21) Indiana board of veterinary medical examiners (IC25-38.1).
        (22) Department of natural resources for purposes of licensingwater well drillers under IC 25-39-3.
        (23) Respiratory care committee (IC 25-34.5).
        (24) Private investigator and security guard licensing board (IC25-30-1-5.2).
        (25) Occupational therapy committee (IC 25-23.5).
        (26) Behavioral health and human services licensing board (IC25-23.6).
        (27) Real estate appraiser licensure and certification board (IC25-34.1-8).
        (28) State board of registration for land surveyors (IC25-21.5-2-1).
        (29) Physician assistant committee (IC 25-27.5).
        (30) Indiana athletic trainers board (IC 25-5.1-2-1).
        (31) Indiana dietitians certification board (IC 25-14.5-2-1).
        (32) Indiana hypnotist committee (IC 25-20.5-1-7).
        (33) Indiana physical therapy committee (IC 25-27).
        (34) Manufactured home installer licensing board (IC 25-23.7).
        (35) Home inspectors licensing board (IC 25-20.2-3-1).
        (36) State department of health, for out-of-state mobile healthcare entities.
        (37) State board of massage therapy (IC 25-21.8-2-1).        (38) Any other occupational or professional agency createdafter June 30, 1981.
As added by Acts 1981, P.L.222, SEC.4. Amended by Acts 1982,P.L.113, SEC.12; P.L.137-1985, SEC.7; P.L.246-1985, SEC.15;P.L.169-1985, SEC.29; P.L.149-1987, SEC.21; P.L.257-1987,SEC.15; P.L.242-1989, SEC.6; P.L.234-1989, SEC.3; P.L.238-1989,SEC.6; P.L.1-1990, SEC.249; P.L.186-1990, SEC.5; P.L.183-1991,SEC.3; P.L.23-1991, SEC.9; P.L.48-1991, SEC.16; P.L.1-1992,SEC.130; P.L.30-1993, SEC.5; P.L.227-1993, SEC.5; P.L.213-1993,SEC.2; P.L.8-1993, SEC.371; P.L.33-1993, SEC.11; P.L.1-1994,SEC.120; P.L.124-1994, SEC.4; P.L.234-1995, SEC.3;P.L.175-1997, SEC.5; P.L.147-1997, SEC.8; P.L.84-1998, SEC.3;P.L.24-1999, SEC.4; P.L.82-2000, SEC.4; P.L.162-2002, SEC.4;P.L.145-2003, SEC.4; P.L.185-2007, SEC.4; P.L.193-2007, SEC.4;P.L.200-2007, SEC.5; P.L.3-2008, SEC.178; P.L.134-2008, SEC.16;P.L.1-2009, SEC.138; P.L.122-2009, SEC.5; P.L.160-2009, SEC.7;P.L.1-2010, SEC.102; P.L.113-2010, SEC.101.

IC 25-1-7-2
Duties of attorney general
    Sec. 2. The office of the attorney general, under the conditionsspecified in this chapter, may receive, investigate, and prosecutecomplaints concerning regulated occupations.
As added by Acts 1981, P.L.222, SEC.4.

IC 25-1-7-3
Investigation of complaints
    Sec. 3. The division is responsible for the investigation ofcomplaints concerning licensees.
As added by Acts 1981, P.L.222, SEC.4.

IC 25-1-7-4
Complaints; requisites; standing
    Sec. 4. All complaints must be written and signed by thecomplainant and initially filed with the director. Except foremployees of the attorney general's office acting in their officialcapacity, a complaint may be filed by any person, including membersof any of the boards listed in section 1 of this chapter.
As added by Acts 1981, P.L.222, SEC.4.

IC 25-1-7-5
Duties and powers of director
    Sec. 5. (a) Subsection (b)(1) does not apply to:
        (1) a complaint filed by:
            (A) a member of any of the boards listed in section 1 of thischapter; or
            (B) the Indiana professional licensing agency; or
        (2) a complaint filed under IC 25-1-5-4.
    (b) The director has the following duties and powers:
        (1) The director shall make an initial determination as to the

merit of each complaint. A copy of a complaint having meritshall be submitted to the board having jurisdiction over thelicensee's regulated occupation, that board thereby acquiringjurisdiction over the matter except as otherwise provided in thischapter.
        (2) The director shall through any reasonable means notify thelicensee of the nature and ramifications of the complaint and ofthe duty of the board to attempt to resolve the complaintthrough negotiation.
        (3) The director shall report any pertinent information regardingthe status of the complaint to the complainant.
        (4) The director may investigate any written complaint againsta licensee. The investigation shall be limited to those areas inwhich there appears to be a violation of statutes governing theregulated occupation.
        (5) The director has the power to subpoena witnesses and tosend for and compel the production of books, records, papers,and documents for the furtherance of any investigation underthis chapter. The circuit or superior court located in the countywhere the subpoena is to be issued shall enforce any suchsubpoena by the director.
As added by Acts 1981, P.L.222, SEC.4. Amended by P.L.22-1999,SEC.2; P.L.14-2000, SEC.55; P.L.206-2005, SEC.11.

IC 25-1-7-6
Statement of settlement; period to resolve
    Sec. 6. (a) This section does not apply to:
        (1) a complaint filed by:
            (A) a member of any of the boards listed in section 1 of thischapter; or
            (B) the Indiana professional licensing agency; or
        (2) a complaint filed under IC 25-1-5-4.
    (b) If, at any time before the director files the director'srecommendations with the attorney general, the board files with thedirector a statement signed by the licensee and the complainant thatthe complaint has been resolved, the director shall not take furtheraction. For a period of thirty (30) days after the director has notifiedthe board and the licensee that a complaint has been filed, thedivision shall not conduct any investigation or take any actionwhatsoever, unless requested by the board. If, during the thirty (30)days, the board requests an extension of the thirty (30) day timeperiod, the director shall grant it for a period not exceeding anadditional twenty (20) days. If at any time during the thirty (30) dayperiod or an extension thereof, the board notifies the director of itsintention not to proceed further to resolve the complaint, the divisionmay proceed immediately under this chapter. For every purpose ofthis section, a board may designate a board member or staff memberto act on behalf of or in the name of the board.
As added by Acts 1981, P.L.222, SEC.4. Amended by P.L.22-1999,SEC.3; P.L.206-2005, SEC.12.
IC 25-1-7-7
Disciplinary sanctions; report to attorney general; prosecution;hearing officer
    Sec. 7. (a) If there has been no statement of settlement filed by theboard under section 6 of this chapter, and if, after conducting aninvestigation, the director believes that the licensee should besubjected to disciplinary sanctions by the board of his regulatedoccupation, then he shall so report to the attorney general. Uponreceiving the director's report, the attorney general may prosecute thematter, on behalf of the state of Indiana, before the board. The boardmay designate any person as a hearing officer to hear the matter.
    (b) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, if the board bymajority vote so requests, the attorney general shall prosecute thematter before the board, on behalf of the state of Indiana.
As added by Acts 1981, P.L.222, SEC.4.

IC 25-1-7-8
Witnesses
    Sec. 8. At the hearing, the board or hearing officer may callwitnesses in addition to those presented by the state or the licensee.
As added by Acts 1981, P.L.222, SEC.4.

IC 25-1-7-9
Disqualification of board member
    Sec. 9. A board member is disqualified from any consideration ofthe case if the board member filed the complaint or participated innegotiations regarding the complaint. The board member is notdisqualified from the board's final determination solely because theboard member was the hearing officer or determined the complaintand the information pertaining to the complaint was currentsignificant investigative information (as defined by IC 25-23.2-1-5(repealed)).
As added by Acts 1981, P.L.222, SEC.4. Amended by P.L.181-2002,SEC.1; P.L.1-2007, SEC.166.

IC 25-1-7-10
Confidentiality of complaints and information
    Sec. 10. (a) All complaints and information pertaining to thecomplaints shall be held in strict confidence until the attorneygeneral files notice with the board of the attorney general's intent toprosecute the licensee.
    (b) A person in the employ of the office of attorney general or anyof the boards, or any person not a party to the complaint, may notdisclose or further a disclosure of information concerning thecomplaint unless the disclosure is required:
        (1) under law; or
        (2) for the advancement of an investigation.
As added by Acts 1981, P.L.222, SEC.4. Amended by P.L.181-2002,SEC.2; P.L.1-2007, SEC.167.
IC 25-1-7-11
Administrative orders and procedures
    Sec. 11. Nothing in this chapter limits the rights of the licensee orthe state under IC 4-21.5.
As added by Acts 1981, P.L.222, SEC.4. Amended by P.L.7-1987,SEC.110.

IC 25-1-7-12
Reimbursement of attorney general
    Sec. 12. (a) If:
        (1) a fund is created by statute for the payment of an unpaidjudgment against a licensee; and
        (2) the office of the attorney general is required by statute toprovide services to the boards that administer the fundsdescribed in subdivision (1);
the office of the attorney general is entitled to reimbursement for thecosts incurred in providing the services described in subdivision (2).
    (b) If:
        (1) more than one (1) fund is established by statute for thepayment of an unpaid judgment against a licensee; and
        (2) the office of the attorney general is entitled toreimbursement under subsection (a);
the funds for reimbursement shall be taken in equal amounts fromeach of the funds described in subdivision (1).
As added by P.L.255-1987, SEC.1.

IC 25-1-7-13
Reports; contents
    Sec. 13. The office of the attorney general shall submit to eachboard, at the request of the board, a report that includes the followinginformation concerning that regulated occupation:
        (1) The number of complaints filed.
        (2) The number of cases currently under investigation.
        (3) The number of cases closed.
        (4) The number of cases resolved.
        (5) The age of the complaints.
As added by P.L.177-1997, SEC.1.

IC 25-1-7-14
Cease and desist orders
    Sec. 14. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, if the board of aregulated occupation believes that a person who is not licensed,certified, or registered under this title is engaged in or is believed tobe engaged in activities for which a license, certification, orregistration is required under this title, the board may do thefollowing:
        (1) File a complaint with the attorney general, who shallinvestigate and may file:
            (A) with notice; or
            (B) without notice, if the attorney general determines that

person is engaged in activities that may affect an individual'shealth or safety;
        a motion for a cease and desist order with the appropriate board.
        (2) Upon review of the attorney general's motion for a cease anddesist order, the board may issue an order requiring the affectedperson to show cause why the person should not be ordered tocease and desist from such activities. The show cause ordermust set forth a time and place for a hearing at which theaffected person may appear and show cause as to why theperson should not be subject to licensing, certification, orregistration under this title.
    (b) If the board, after a hearing, determines that the activities inwhich the person is engaged are subject to licensing, certification, orregistration under this title, the board may issue a cease and desistorder that must describe the person and activities that are the subjectof the order.
    (c) A hearing conducted under this section must comply with therequirements under IC 4-21.5.
    (d) A cease and desist order issued under this section isenforceable in the circuit or superior courts. A person who isenjoined under a cease and desist order and who violates the ordershall be punished for contempt of court.
    (e) A cease and desist order issued under this section does notrelieve any person from criminal prosecution.
As added by P.L.84-2010, SEC.13.