Grounds for discipline by director for violation of ORS 97.923 to 97.949; suspension and revocation of certificate or registration; civil penalties; notification of board

(1) The Director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services may discipline a certified provider, master trustee or entity acting as a certified provider or master trustee without certification or registration who has been found by an audit or examination conducted by the director: (a) To be in violation of ORS 97.923 to 97.949; (b) To have liabilities that exceed assets; (c) To be unable to meet obligations as they come due; or (d) To be in a financial condition that fails to adequately protect the interests of customers. (2) In disciplining a certified provider, master trustee or entity acting as a certified provider or master trustee without certification or registration under subsection (1) of this section, the director may take the following actions: (a) Impose probation. (b) Suspend the certificate or registration. (c) Revoke the certificate or registration. (d) Place limitations on the certificate or registration. (e) Refuse to issue or renew a certificate or registration. (f) Issue an order to cease and desist from the activities that support the discipline. (g) Take any other disciplinary action that the director finds proper, including assessment of the costs of the investigation and disciplinary proceedings and assessment of a civil penalty not to exceed $10,000 per violation. (3) If the certificate or registration of a certified provider or master trustee is suspended under this section, the holder of the certificate or registration may not engage in the activities allowed by the certificate or registration during the term of suspension. Upon the expiration of the term of suspension, the director shall reinstate the certificate or registration if the conditions for which the certificate or registration was suspended no longer exist. (4) The director shall enter each case of disciplinary action on the records of the Department of Consumer and Business Services. (5) Civil penalties under this section may be imposed as provided in ORS 183.745. (6) If the director takes disciplinary action under this section, the director may send a notice of the action to the State Mortuary and Cemetery Board and to the Attorney General.