Sec. 10.32.21.12. Grounds for Discipline

Subject to the hearing provisions Health Occupations Article, §14-405, Annotated Code of Maryland, the Board, on the affirmative vote of a majority of its members then serving as a quorum of the Board, may deny a license to any applicant, or a disciplinary panel, on the affirmative vote of a majority of a quorum of the disciplinary panel, may reprimand any licensee, place any licensee on probation, or suspend or revoke a license of any licensee if the applicant or licensee:

A. Is habitually intoxicated, or is addicted to or habitually abuses any narcotic or controlled dangerous substance, as defined in Criminal Law Article, §5-101, Annotated Code of Maryland, or any drug without a valid prescription or indication, or provides professional services while under the influence of alcohol or using any narcotic or controlled dangerous substance, as defined in Criminal Law Article, §5-101, Annotated Code of Maryland;

B. Has been found to be mentally incompetent by a physician if the mental incompetence impairs the ability of the applicant or licensee to undertake the practice of naturopathic medicine in a manner consistent with the safety of the public;

C. Has entered into a consent agreement with or has been assessed an administrative penalty by a licensing authority in another state;

D. Fraudulently or deceptively obtains, or attempts to obtain, or uses a license for the applicant, the licensee, or another;

E. Has a license revoked or suspended, or was otherwise acted against, including the denial of licensure, by the licensing authority of another state;

F. Uses false, deceptive, or misleading advertising;

G. Advertises, practices, or attempts to practice under a name other than the applicant’s or licensee’s own name;

H. Aids, assists, employs, or advises any unlicensed individual to practice naturopathic medicine;

I. Willfully makes or files a false report or record in the practice of naturopathic medicine;

J. Willfully or negligently fails to file a report or record as required by law, willfully impedes or obstructs the filing or recording of a report, or induces another to fail to file or record a report;

K. Pays or receives any commission, bonus, kickback, or rebate, or engages in any split-fee arrangement in any form with a licensed physician, organization, agency, or other person, either directly or indirectly, for patients referred to health care providers;

L. Exercises influence within a patient-doctor relationship for purposes of engaging a patient in sexual activity;

M. Engages in sexual misconduct with a patient;

N. Fails to keep written medical records justifying the course of treatment of a patient;

O. Engages in an act or omission that does not meet generally accepted standards of practice of naturopathic medicine or of safe care of patients, whether or not actual injury to a patient is established;

P. Delegates professional responsibilities to an individual when the licensee delegating the responsibilities knows or has reason to know that the individual is not qualified by training, experience, or licensure to perform the responsibilities;

Q. Promotes the sale of services, drugs, devices, appliances, or goods to a patient so as to exploit the patient for financial gain;

R. Breaches patient confidentiality;

S. Is guilty of unprofessional or immoral conduct in the practice of naturopathic medicine;

T. Offers, undertakes, or agrees to cure or treat a disease by a secret method, treatment, or medicine;

U. Knowingly fails to report suspected child abuse in violation of Family Law Article, §5-704, Annotated Code of Maryland;

V. Sells, prescribes, gives away, or administers drugs for illegal or illegitimate purposes;

W. Denies or discriminates against an individual with regard to the provision of professional services for which the licensee is licensed and qualified to render because the individual is HIV positive;

X. Fails to cooperate with a lawful investigation of the Board;

Y. Abandons a patient; or

Z. Violates any provision of this title or this chapter.