<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<chapter num="07" heading="Civil Penalties" title_num="10" subtitle_num="40">
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".01" heading="Scope.">
    <text>This chapter establishes the standards by which the Board may impose an administrative monetary penalty not exceeding $50,000 on any individual licensed under Health Occupations Article, Title 16, Annotated Code of Maryland, for an act or omission proscribed under Health Occupations Article, §16-311(a), Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".02" heading="Definitions.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>In this chapter, the following terms have the meaning indicated.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>Terms Defined.</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>“Board” means the Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>“Licensee” means an individual licensed by the Board to practice podiatry including the holder of a limited license.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>“Violation” means an act or omission proscribed under Health Occupations Article, §§16-311(a) and 16-501, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".03" heading="Authority to Impose Civil Monetary Penalty.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>After a hearing under Health Occupations Article, §16-313, Annotated Code of Maryland, and COMAR 10.40.05, the Board may impose a civil monetary penalty of no less than $1,000 and no more than $50,000 under this chapter against an individual who commits a violation.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>A penalty under §A of this regulation may be imposed:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>In addition to any reprimand, probation, suspension, or revocation; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>For each occasion the licensee commits a violation.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="C.">
      <text>The Board may impose a civil monetary penalty against an individual who practices podiatry without a license in violation of Health Occupations Article, §16–501, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="D.">
      <text>The Board may not impose a fine under §C of this regulation against a podiatrist for practicing podiatry on an expired license if the:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>Podiatrist’s license is reinstated within 30 calendar days of the expiration date of the license; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>The licensee complies with COMAR 10.40.02.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".04" heading="Factors to be Considered in the Assessment of Penalties.">
    <text>The Board shall consider the following factors in determining whether to impose a penalty and the amount of any penalty:</text>
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>The extent to which the individual derived any financial benefit from the violation;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>The willfulness of the improper conduct;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="C.">
      <text>The extent of actual or potential public harm caused by the violation;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="D.">
      <text>The cost of investigating and prosecuting the case against the individual;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="E.">
      <text>The individual’s history of any previous violation; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="F.">
      <text>If the penalty being imposed is for unauthorized practice, the length of time in which the individual engaged in the unauthorized practice.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".05" heading="Payment of Penalties.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>The individual shall pay to the Board, on the date of its order, any administrative monetary penalty imposed under this chapter.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>Filing an appeal does not stay payment of any penalty imposed by the Board under this chapter.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="C.">
      <text>If an individual fails to pay, in whole or in part, any penalty imposed by the Board under this chapter, the Board may not restore, reinstate, or renew the license of the individual until the penalty has been paid in full.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="D.">
      <text>The Board may refer all cases of delinquent payment to the Central Collection Unit of the Department of Budget and Fiscal Planning to institute and maintain proceedings and ensure prompt payment.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="E.">
      <text>The Board shall pay into the General Fund of the State all monies collected under this chapter.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <annotations>
    <annotation type="Authority">Health Occupations Article, §§16-205, 16-311, and 16-505(b), Annotated Code of Maryland</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Effective date: July 25, 1988 (15:15 Md. R. 1810)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .01 amended effective December 22, 2003 (30:25 Md. R. 1848)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .02B amended effective December 22, 2003 (30:25 Md. R. 1848); March 2, 2015 (42:4 Md. R. 434)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .03 amended effective March 2, 2015 (42:4 Md. R. 434)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .03A amended effective December 22, 2003 (30:25 Md. R. 1848)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .04F adopted effective March 2, 2015 (42:4 Md. R. 434)</annotation>
  </annotations>
</chapter>