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D.C. Municipal Regulations (Last Updated: September 13, 2017) |
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Title 17. BUSINESS, OCCUPATIONS, AND PROFESSIONALS |
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Chapter 17-33. GENERAL RULES: FUNERAL DIRECTORS, VETERINARIANS, INTERIOR DESIGNERS AND REAL ESTATE APPRAISERS |
Section 17-3314. COMPLAINTS: INVESTIGATIONS
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3314.1A board, on its own motion or on the receipt of a complaint submitted in accordance with § 3314.2, shall request the Director to investigate a practitioner if the facts alleged in the complaint, if proven, would constitute sufficient grounds for disciplinary action.
3314.2The Director, upon receipt of a request from a board of a complaint meeting the foregoing requirements, shall investigate the complaint.
3314.3A person who desires to file a complaint against a practitioner shall do the following:
(a)Submit the complaint in writing;
(b)State the facts or circumstances that form the basis of the complaint;
(c)Sign the complaint and state the complainant's name and address; and
(d)Mail or deliver the complaint to a board.
3314.4Nothing in § 3314.3 precludes a board, on its own motion, from requesting the Director to investigate a practitioner based on information obtained from an individual who does not file a complaint in accordance with that subsection.
3314.5A board may request a practitioner under investigation to respond in writing to any allegations. If the board requests such a response, the board shall inform the practioner of the following:
(a)That the practitioner is not required to respond to the request;
(b)That a copy of any response may be sent to the complainant, if any;
(c)That the failure to respond will not be held against the practitioner in any subsequent action based on the investigation; and
(d)That any response may be used against the practitioner in a subsequent action.
3314.6If a board receives a written response from a practitioner requested pursuant to § 3313.5, it may, in its discretion, send a copy of the response to the complainant and request a written reply within a time period determined by the board.
3314.7After considering the facts of a particular case, the complaint, if any, and any response thereof, a board shall take one of the following actions:
(a)Refer the complaint to the Director for investigation;
(b)Issue a notice of intended action in accordance with § 3315;
(c)Request that the practitioner attend a settlement conference in accordance with § 3322; or
(d)Dismiss the complaint.
3314.8If a board dismisses a complaint, it shall give the complainant notice in writing, sent by first class mail, of the dismissal of the complaint within ten (10) days of the action.