Chapter 250-7 DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS AND PROCEDURES
Rule 250-7-.01 Complaints
| (1) | A complaint may be filed by any person by submitting a written statement to the Georgia State Board of Funeral Service at 237 Coliseum Drive, Macon, Georgia 31217. |
| (2) | The complaint shall include the complainant's name, address and phone number, and email address if applicable, and shall give the name and address of the person or business entity against whom the complaint is being filed. |
| (3) | The complainant must specifically state the circumstances which led to the complaint being filed. |
| (4) | While a complaint is under investigation, the name of the person or business entity against whom the complaint is being filed shall be treated as confidential as provided in O.C.G.A.§ 43-1-19(h)(2). However, the name of the person or business entity will no longer be treated as confidential once the Board takes an official action which places it into the public record. |
| (5) | Once a Board member becomes aware of the identity of a person who is the subject of a complaint, and the Board member has a personal relationship with that person which would affect the Board member's judgment or has prior knowledge of a person's practice which would affect the Board member's judgment, the Board member shall immediately disclose to the Board such relationship or knowledge, and shall not participate in the deliberation or the vote on the complaint; however, nothing herein shall preclude any Board member from giving testimony in the matter. |
Rule 250-7-.02 Investigations of Complaints
| (1) | The Board or its duly appointed representative will review each complaint and initiate whatever investigative action is appropriate. |
| (2) | All investigations shall be conducted as provided by the laws of the State of Georgia, including but not limited to the Georgia Administrative Procedure Act (O.C.G.A. §§ 50-13-1et seq.); O.C.G.A. §§ 43-1-1et seq.; the Funeral Service Law (O.C.G.A. §§ 43-18-1et seq.); the Rules of the Division Director, Professional Licensing Boards Division; and the Rules of the Board. |
Rule 250-7-.03 Disciplinary Proceedings
| (1) | All disciplinary proceedings, including hearings in contested cases, shall be conducted as provided by the laws of the State of Georgia, including but not limited to the Georgia Administrative Procedure Act (O.C.G.A. §§ 50-13-1et seq.); O.C.G.A. §§ 43-1-1et seq.; the Funeral Service Law (O.C.G.A. §§ 43-18-1et seq.); the Rules of the Division Director, Professional Licensing Boards Division; and the Rules of the Board. |
| (2) | The Board shall give written notice of the time and place of hearing, along with a copy of the change, to be served upon the licensee or registrant applicant for license, as the case may be, 20 days before the hearing. |
| (3) | After a hearing, the Board may by majority vote revoke, limit, or restrict a license or registration upon satisfactory proof of guilt. |