EMERGENCY CEASE AND DESIST ORDER

(a) If it appears to the board that a person who is not licensed under this chapter is violating this chapter, a rule adopted under this chapter, or another state statute or rule relating to the practice of professional nursing or vocational nursing and the board determines that the unauthorized activity constitutes a clear, imminent, or continuing threat to the public health and safety, the board may: (1) issue an emergency cease and desist order prohibiting the person from engaging in the activity; and (2) report the activity to a local law enforcement agency or the attorney general for prosecution. (b) An order issued under Subsection (a) must: (1) be delivered on issuance to the person affected by the order by personal delivery or registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, to the person's last known address; (2) state the acts or practices alleged to be an unauthorized activity and require the person immediately to cease and desist from the unauthorized activity; and (3) contain a notice that a request for hearing may be filed under this section. (c) Unless the person against whom the emergency cease and desist order is directed requests a board hearing in writing before the 11th day after the date it is served on the person, the order is final and nonappealable as to that person. A request for a board hearing must: (1) be in writing and directed to the board; and (2) state the grounds for the request to set aside or modify the order. (d) On receiving a request for a hearing, the board shall serve notice of the time and place of the hearing by personal delivery or registered or certified mail, return receipt requested. The hearing must be held not later than the 10th day after the date the board receives the request for a hearing unless the parties agree to a later hearing date. A hearing under this subsection is subject to Chapter 2001, Government Code. (e) After the hearing, the board shall affirm, modify, or set aside wholly or partly the emergency cease and desist order. An order affirming or modifying the emergency cease and desist order is immediately final for purposes of enforcement and appeal. (f) An order under this section continues in effect unless the order is stayed by the board. The board may impose any condition before granting a stay of the order. (g) The board may release to the public a final cease and desist order issued under this section or information regarding the existence of the order if the board determines that the release would enhance the effective enforcement of the order or will serve the public interest. (h) A violation of an order issued under this section constitutes grounds for imposing an administrative penalty under this chapter.