Purpose and effect is to amend the rule to include guidelines for all the violations.  


  • RULE NO: RULE TITLE
    61G15-19.004: Disciplinary Guidelines; Range of Penalties; Aggravating and Mitigating Circumstances
    PURPOSE AND EFFECT: Purpose and effect is to amend the rule to include guidelines for all the violations.
    SUMMARY: The rule is amended to include guidelines for all the violations.
    SUMMARY OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS: No Statement of Estimated Regulatory Cost was prepared.
    Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.
    SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: 455.227, 471.008, 471.031, 471.033 FS.
    LAW IMPLEMENTED: 455.227, 471.031, 471.033 FS.
    IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE SCHEDULED AND ANNOUNCED IN FAW.
    THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Paul Martin, Executive Director, Board of Professional Engineers, 2507 Callaway Road, Suite 200, Tallahassee, Florida 32301.

    THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

    61G15-19.004 Disciplinary Guidelines; Range of Penalties; Aggravating and

    Mitigating Circumstances.

    (1) No change.

    (2) The following disciplinary guidelines shall be followed by the Board in imposing disciplinary penalties upon licensees for violation of the below mentioned statutes and rules:

    VIOLATION

    PENALTY RANGE

     

     

     

    MINIMUM

    MAXIMUM

    (a) Violating any provision of s. 455.227(1), s. 471.025 or  471.031, or any other provision of Chapter 471 or rule of the Board or Department

    [471.033(1)(a), 455.227(1)(b)(q)]

    Reprimand and $1,000 fine

    One (1) year suspension, two (2) years probation and $5,000 fine

     

     

     

    1.  Failure to sign, seal or date documents

    [471.025(1)]

    Reprimand

    Reprimand and one (1) year probation

     

     

     

    2.  Sealing any document after license has expired or been revoked or suspended, or failure to surrender seal if the license has been revoked or suspended [471.025(2)]

    Suspended license: Revocation and $1,000 fine

     

    Revoked license: Referral to State’s Attorney’s office

     

     

     

     

    3.  Signing or sealing any document that depicts work the licensee is not licensed to perform or which is beyond his or her profession or specialty therein or practicing or offering to practice beyond the scope permitted by law or accepting and performing responsibilities the licensee is not competent to perform

    [471.025(3), 455.227(1)(o), 61G15-19.001(6)(c) (d) ]

    Reprimand, one (1) year probation and $1,000 fine

    Reprimand, $5,000 fine, one (1) year suspension and two (2) years probation

     

     

     

    4.  Firm practicing without certificate of authorization [471.023, 61G15-19.001(3)]

    Reprimand

    Revocation

     

     

     

    5.  Failure to complete continuing education

    [471.017(3), 61G15-22.001]

    Suspend until licensee demonstrates compliance

    Revocation

     

     

     

    6.  Practicing engineering without a license or using a name or title tending to indicate that such person holds an active license as an engineer

    [471.031(1)(a)(b)]

    $1,000.00 fine per count

    $5,000.00 fine per count

     

     

     

    7.  Presenting as his or her own the license of another [471.031(1)(c)]

    $1,000.00 fine per count

    $5,000.00 per count and revocation

     

     

     

    8.  Giving false or forged evidence to the Board or concealing information relative to violations of this chapter

    [471.031(1)(d) (g)]

    $1,000.00 fine per count

    $5,000.00 per count and revocation

     

     

     

    9.  Employing unlicensed persons to practice engineering or aiding, assisting, procuring, employing unlicensed practice or practice contrary to Chapters 455 or 471

    [471.031(1)(f), 455.227(1)(j)]

    $1,000.00 fine per count and reprimand

    $5,000.00 per count and revocation

     

     

     

    10.  Having been found liable for knowingly filing a false complaint against another licensee

    [455.227(1)(g)]

    $1,000.00 fine per count and reprimand

    $5,000.00 fine per count and revocation

     

     

     

    11.  Failing to report a person in violation of Chapter 455, Chapter 471 or the rules of the Board or the Department

    [455.227(1)(i)]

    Reprimand

    Reprimand, $5,000.00 per count and suspension for one year

     

     

     

    12.  Failing to perform any statutory or legal obligation

    [455.227(1)(k)]

    Reprimand

    Revocation

     

     

     

    13.  Exercising influence on a client for financial gain

    [455.227(1)(n)]

    Reprimand

    Revocation

     

     

     

    14.  Improper delegation of professional responsibilities

    [455.227(1)(p)]

    $1,000.00 fine per count and probation for one year

    Revocation

     

     

     

    15.  Improperly interfering with an investigation or inspection or disciplinary proceeding

    [455.227(1)(r)]

    $1,000.00 fine per count and probation for one year

    Revocation

     

     

     

    (b) Attempting to procure a license by bribery, fraudulent misrepresentation, or error of the Board or Department

    [471.033(1)(b), 455.227(1)(h)]

    Revocation and $1,000 fine if licensed; if not licensed, denial of license and referral to State Attorney

     

     

     

     

    (c) Having a license to practice engineering acted against or denied by another jurisdiction

    [471.033(1)(c), 455.227(1)(f)]

    Same penalty as imposed in other jurisdiction or as close as possible to penalties set forth in Florida Statutes

     

     

     

     

    (d) Being convicted or found guilty of, or entering a plea of nolo to a crime which relates to the practice or ability to practice

    [471.033(1)(d), 455.227(1)(c)]

    Misdemeanor: reprimand and one (1) year probation

     

    Felony: Revocation and $1,000 fine

    Reprimand, $5,000 fine, one (1) year suspension and two (2) years probation

     

     

     

    1.  Conviction of crime related to building code inspection or plans examination

    [61G15-19.001(7)(a)]

    Misdemeanor: reprimand and one (1) year probation

     

    Felony: Revocation and $5,000 fine

    Reprimand, $5,000 fine, one (1) year suspension and two (2) years probation

     

     

     

    (e) Knowingly making or filing a false  report or record, failing to file a report or record required by law, impeding or obstructing such filing

    [471.033(1)(e), 61G15-19.001(7)(c), 455.227(1)(l)]

    One (1) year suspension, two (2) years probation, $1,000 fine

    Revocation and $5,000 fine

     

     

     

    (f) Fraudulent, false, deceptive or misleading advertising

    [471.033(1)(f), 61G15-19.001(2)]

    Reprimand

    Reprimand, one (1) year probation and $5,000 fine

     

     

     

    (g) Fraud, deceit, negligence, incompetence or misconduct

    (471.033(1)(g), 455.227(1)(a)(m)

     

     

    1.  Fraud or deceit

    Reprimand, two (2) year probation and $1,000 fine

    $5,000 fine and revocation

     

     

     

    2.  Negligence [61G15-19.001(4)]

    Reprimand, two (2) years probation and $1,000 fine

    Reprimand, $5,000 fine, five (5) year suspension and ten (10) years probation

     

     

     

    a.  As a special inspector

    Reprimand, two (2) years probation and $1,000 fine

    Reprimand, $5,000 fine, five (5) year suspension and ten (10) years probation or revocation

     

     

     

    3.  Incompetence [61G15-19.001(5)]

    Suspension until ability to practice proved followed by probation

     

     

     

     

    4.  Misconduct [61G15-19.001(6)]

    $1,000.00 fine per count and reprimand

    Revocation

     

     

     

    a.  Expressing an opinion publicly on an engineering subject without being informed as to the facts and being competent to form a sound opinion [61G15-19.001(6)(a)]

    Reprimand and $1,000.00 fine per count

    Revocation

     

     

     

    b.  Being untruthful, deceptive or misleading in any professional report, statement or testimony or omitting relevant and pertinent information from such report, statement or testimony when the result or such omission would or reasonably could lead to a fallacious conclusion [61G15-19.001(6)(b)]

    Reprimand and $1,000.00 fine per count

    Revocation

     

     

     

    c.  Offering directly or indirectly any bribe or commission or tendering any gift to obtain selection or preferment for engineering employment other than the payment of the usual commission for securing salaried positions through licensed employment agencies [61G15-19.001(6)(e)]

    $5,000.00 fine per count and suspension for five years

    Revocation

     

     

     

    d.  Soliciting or accepting gratuities without client knowledge

    [61G15-19.001(6)(g)(h)]

    Reprimand, one (1) year probation and $1,000 fine

    Reprimand, one (1) year suspension, two (2) years probation and $5,000 fine

     

     

     

    e.  Failure to preserve client=s confidence

    [61G15-19.001(6)(r)]

    Reprimand, one (1) year probation and $1,000 fine

    Reprimand, one (1) year suspension, two (2) years probation (if pecuniary benefit accrues to engineer)

     

     

     

    f.  Professional judgment overruled by unqualified person

    [61G15-19.001(6)(i)]

    Reprimand, one (1) year probation and $1,000 fine

    Reprimand, one (1) year suspension, two (2) years probation and $5,000 fine

     

     

     

    g.  Use of name/firm in fraudulent venture [61G15-19.001(6)(k)]

    Reprimand, one (1) year probation and $1,000 fine

    Reprimand, $5,000 fine, one (1) year suspension and two (2) years probation

     

     

     

    h.  Undisclosed conflict of interest [61G15-19.001(6)(f)(p)]

    Reprimand, $1,000 fine and two (2) years probation

    Revocation and $5,000 fine

     

     

     

    (h) Violating any provision of Chapter 455 [471.033(1)(h), 455.227(1)(q)]

    Reprimand and $1,000.00 fine per count

    $5,000.00 fine per count and revocation

     

     

     

    (i) Practicing on a revoked, suspended, inactive or delinquent license

    [471.033(1)(i), 471.031(1)(e)]

     

     

     

     

     

    1.  Delinquent license

    Reprimand

    Revocation

     

     

     

    2.  Inactive license

    Fine based on length of time in practice while inactive; $100/month or $1,000 maximum, renewal of license or cease practice

     

     

     

     

    3.  Suspended license

    Revocation and $1,000 fine

     

     

     

     

    4.  Revoked license

    Referral to State Attorney

     

     

     

     

    (j)  Affixing or permitting to be affixed his or her seal, name, or digital signature to any documents that were not prepared by him or her or under his or her responsible supervision, direction or control [471.033(1)(j), 61G15-19.001(6)(j)(q)]

    Reprimand, one (1) year probation and $1,000 fine

    Reprimand, $5,000 fine, one (1) year suspension and two (2) year probation

     

     

     

    (k) Violating any order of the board or department

    [471.033(1)(k), 61G15-19.001(6)(o), 455.227(1)(q)]

    Suspension and $1,000 fine

    Revocation and $5,000 fine

     

     

     

    (l) Aiding, assisting, procuring, employing unlicensed practice or practice contrary to Chapters 455 or 471

    [455.227(1)(j)]

    Reprimand and $1,000.00 fine per count

    $5,000.00 fine per count and revocation

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    (a) Failure to date plans

    Reprimand

    Reprimand and one (1)

    (471.025(1), F.S.)

     

    year probation

     

     

     

    (b) Signing or sealing

    Reprimand

    Reprimand,

    work not competent

    and $1,000

    $5,000 fine,

    to perform

    fine and one

    one (1) year

    (455.227(1)(o), F.S.)

    (1) year

    suspension

    (471.025(3), F.S.)

    probation

    and two (2)

    (paragraphs 61G15-19.001

     

    year probation

    (6)(c), (d))

     

     

     

     

     

    (c) “Plan stamping”

    Reprimand,

    Reprimand, $5,000

    (471.033(1)(j), F.S.)

    one (1) year

    fine, one (1) year

    (paragraphs 61G15-19.001

    probation and

    suspension and

    (6)(j), (q))

    $1,000 fine

    two (2) year probation

     

     

     

    (d) Violating a Final

    Suspension and

    Revocation and

    Order of the Board

    $1,000 fine

    $5,000 fine

    (455.227(1)(q), F.S.)

     

     

    (471.033(1)(k), F.S.)

     

     

    (paragraph 61G15-19.001(1)(o))

     

     

     

     

     

    (e) Attempting to procure

    Revocation and

     

    or procuring a license

    $1,000 fine if

     

    by bribery or fraudulent

    licensed (denial

     

    misrepresentation

    of license and

     

    (455.227(1)(h), F.S.)

    refer to State

     

    (471.033(1)(b), F.S.)

    Attorney if not

     

     

    licensed)

     

     

     

     

    (f) License disciplined by

    Same penalty as

     

    another jurisdiction

    imposed in

     

    (455.227(1)(f), F.S.)

    other jurisdiction or

     

    (471.033(1)(c), F.S.)

    as closely as possible to

     

     

    penalties set forth in

     

     

    Florida Statutes

     

     

     

     

    (g) Criminal Conviction

    Misdemeanor:

    Reprimand,

    relating to engineering

    reprimand &

    $5,000 fine,

    (455.227(1)(c), F.S.)

    one (1) year

    one (1) year

    (471.033(1)(d), F.S.)

    probation

    suspension and

    (paragraph 61G15-19.001(6)(i))

     

    two (2) year

     

     

    probation

     

    Felony: Revocation

     

     

    and $1,000 fine

     

     

     

     

    (h) Practice on

    Revocation and $1,000 fine

     

    suspended license

     

     

    (455.227(1)(q), F.S.)

     

     

    (471.033(1)(i), F.S.)

     

     

     

     

     

    (i) Practice on inactive

    Fine based on

     

    license

    length of time

     

    (455.227(1)(q), F.S.)

    in practice while

     

    (471.033(1)(i), F.S.)

    inactive; $100/month or

     

     

    $1,000 maximum

     

     

    (penalty will require licensee

     

     

    to renew license or cease

     

     

    practice)

     

     

     

     

    (j) Practice on revoked

    Refer to State Attorney for

     

    license

    criminal prosecution

     

    (455.227(1)(q), F.S.)

     

     

    (471.033(1)(i), F.S.)

     

     

     

     

     

    (k) Knowingly making or

    One (1) year

    Revocation and

    filing false report

    suspension,

    $5,000 fine

    (455.227(1)(l), F.S.)

    two (2) year

     

    (471.033(1)(e), F.S.)

    probation and

     

    (paragraph 61G15-19.001(6)(b))

    $1,000 fine

     

     

     

     

    (l) Fraudulent, false,

    Reprimand

    Reprimand, one

    deceptive, or

     

    (1) year

    misleading advertising

     

    probation and

    (455.227(1)(a), F.S.)

     

    $5,000 fine

    (471.033(1)(f), F.S.)

     

     

    (subsection 61G15-19.001(2))

     

     

     

     

     

    (m) Negligence

    Reprimand,

    Reprimand,

    (455.227(1)(q), F.S.)

    two (2) year

    $5,000 fine,

    (471.033(1)(g), F.S.)

    probation

    five (5) year

     

    and $1,000

    suspension and

     

    fine

    ten (10) year

     

     

    probation

     

     

     

    (n) Fraud or deceit

    Reprimand,

    $5,000 fine

    (455.227(1)(a), (m), F.S.)

    one (1) year

    and revocation

    (471.033(1)(g), F.S.)

    suspension,

     

     

    two (2) year

     

     

    probation and

     

     

    $1,000 fine

     

     

     

     

    (o) Misconduct

     

     

     

     

     

    1. Soliciting or accepting

    Reprimand, one

    Reprimand, one

    gratuities without

    (1) year

    (1) year

    client knowledge:

    probation

    suspension,

    (455.227(1)(q), F.S.

    and $1,000

    two (2) year

    (471.033(1)(g), F.S.)

    fine

    probation and

    (paragraphs 61G15-19.001(6)(g), (h))

     

     

     

     

     

    2. Failure to preserve

    Reprimand, one

    Reprimand,

    client’s confidence:

    (1) year

    one (1) year

    (455.227(1)(q), F.S.)

    probation

    suspension and

    (paragraph 61G15-19.001(6)(r))

    and $1,000

    two (2) year

     

    fine

    probation (if

     

     

    pecuniary

     

     

    benefit

     

     

    accrues to

     

     

    engineer)

     

     

     

    3. Professional judgment

    Reprimand, one

    Reprimand,

    is overruled by

    (1) year

    one (1) year

    unqualified person:

    probation

    suspension,

    (455.227(1)(q), F.S.)

    and $1,000

    two (2) year

    (paragraph 61G15-19.001(6)(i))

    fine

    probation and

     

     

    $5,000 fine

     

     

     

    4. Use of name/firm in

    Reprimand one

    Reprimand

    fraudulent venture:

    (1) year

    $5,000 fine,

    (455.227(1)(q), F.S.)

    probation

    one (1) year

    (paragraph 61G15-19.001(6)(k))

    and $1,000

    suspension and

     

    fine

    two (2) year

     

     

    probation

     

     

     

    (p) Incompetence (mental

    Suspension until

     

    or physical impairment)

    ability to practice

     

    (455.227(1)(q), F.S.)

    proved followed

     

    (subsection 61G15-19.001(5))

    by probation

     

     

     

     

    (q) Undisclosed conflict

    Reprimand,

    Revocation

    of interest

    $1,000 fine,

    and $5,000

    (455.227(1)(q), F.S.)

    and two

    fine

    (paragraphs 61G15-19.001(6)(f), (p))

    (2) year

     

     

    probation

     

     

     

     

    (r) Firm practicing

    Reprimand

     

    without certificate

     

     

    of authorization

     

     

    (455.227(1)(q), F.S.)

     

     

    (471.023, F.S.)

     

     

     

     

     

    (s) Violation of any provision

    Reprimand,

    One (1) year

    of Chapter 61G15, F.A.C.,

    $1,000 fine

    suspension,

    or Chapter 471, F.S.

     

    two (2) year

    (455.227, F.S.)

     

    probation and

    (471.033(1)(a), F.S.)

     

    $5,000 fine

     

     

     

    (t) Conviction of crime related to building code inspection or

    Misdemeanor: reprimand and one (1) year probation

    Reprimand, $5,000 fine, one (1) year

    plans examination

     

    suspension and

    (paragraph 61G15-19.001(7)(a))

    Felony: revocation and $500 fine

    two (2) year probation

     

     

     

    (u) False reporting

    (paragraph 61G15-19.001(7)(c))

    One (1) year suspension, two (2) year probation and $1,000 fine

    Revocation and $5,000 fine

     

     

     

    (v) Negligence as a Special Inspector (subsection 61G15-19.001(8))

    Reprimand, two (2) year probation and $1,000 fine

    Reprimand, $5,000 fine five (5) year suspension

     

     

    and ten (10) year

     

     

    probation, or revocation

    (3) No change

    Specific Authority 455.227, 471.008, 471.031, 471.033 FS.  Law Implemented 455.227, 471.031, 471.033 FS.  History–New 1-7-87, Formerly 21H-19.004, Amended 11-27-94, 5-22-01, 11-15-01, 5-20-02,                          .


    NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Board of Professional Engineers
    NAME OF SUPERVISOR OR PERSON WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Board of Professional Engineers
    DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: June 14, 2006
    DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAW: August 18, 2006

Document Information

Comments Open:
9/29/2006
Summary:
The rule is amended to include guidelines for all the violations.
Purpose:
Purpose and effect is to amend the rule to include guidelines for all the violations.
Rulemaking Authority:
455.227, 471.008, 471.031, 471.033 FS.
Law:
455.227, 471.031, 471.033 FS.
Contact:
Paul Martin, Executive Director, Board of Professional Engineers, 2507 Callaway Road, Suite 200, Tallahassee, Florida 32301.
Related Rules: (1)
61G15-19.004. Disciplinary Guidelines; Range of Penalties; Aggravating and Mitigating Circumstances