Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 676 § 676.608 — Investigative authority; conduct of investigation

Investigative authority; conduct of investigation. (1) As used in this section, “public entity” has the meaning given that term in ORS 676.177. (2)(a) The Health Licensing Office shall carry out the investigatory duties necessary to enforce the provisions of ORS 676.560 to 676.625 and 676.992. (b) Subject to subsection (12) of this section, the office, upon its own motion, may initiate and conduct investigations of matters relating to the practice of occupations or professions subject to the authority of the boards, councils and programs listed in ORS 676.565. (c) Subject to subsection (12) of this section, the office shall investigate all complaints received by the office relating to the practice of occupations or professions subject to the authority of the boards, councils and programs listed in ORS 676.565. (3) While conducting an investigation authorized under subsection (2) of this section or a hearing related to an investigation, the office may: (a) Take evidence; (b) Administer oaths; (c) Take the depositions of witnesses, including the person charged; (d) Compel the appearance of witnesses, including the person charged; (e) Require answers to interrogatories; (f) Compel the production of books, papers, accounts, documents and testimony pertaining to the matter under investigation; and (g) Conduct criminal and civil background checks to determine conviction of a crime that bears a demonstrable relationship to the field of practice. (4) In exercising its authority under this section, the office may issue subpoenas over the signature of the Director of the Health Licensing Office or designated employee of the director and in the name of the State of Oregon. (5) If a person fails to comply with a subpoena issued under this section, the judge of the Circuit Court for Marion County may compel obedience by initiating proceedings for contempt as in the case of disobedience of the requirements of a subpoena issued from the court. (6) If necessary, the director, or an employee designated by the director, may appear before a magistrate empowered to issue warrants in criminal cases to request that the magistrate issue a warrant. The magistrate shall issue a warrant, directing it to any sheriff or deputy or police officer, to enter the described property, to remove any person or obstacle, to defend any threatened violence to the director or a designee of the director or an officer, upon entering private property, or to assist the director in enforcing the office’s authority in any way. (7) In all investigations and hearings, the office and any person affected by the investigation or hearing may have the benefit of counsel. (8) If an authorization holder who is the subject of a complaint or an investigation is to appear before the office, the office shall provide the authorization holder with a current summary of the complaint or the matter being investigated not less than 10 days before the date that the authorization holder is to appear. At the time the summary of the complaint or the matter being investigated is provided, the office shall provide the authorization holder with a current summary of documents or alleged facts that the office has acquired as a result of the investigation. The name of the complainant may be withheld from the authorization holder. (9) An authorization holder who is the subject of an investigation, and any person acting on behalf of the authorization holder, may not contact the complainant until the authorization holder has requested a contested case hearing and the office has authorized the taking of the complainant’s deposition pursuant to ORS 183.425. (10) Except in an investigation or proceeding conducted by the office or another public entity, or in an action, suit or proceeding in which a public entity is a party, an authorization holder may not be questioned or examined regarding any communication with the office made in an appearance before the office as part of an investigation. (11) This section does not prohibit examination or questioning of an authorization holder regarding records about the authorization holder’s care and treatment of a patient or affect the admissibility of those records. (12) In conducting an investigation related to the practice of direct entry midwifery, as defined in ORS 687.405, the office shall: (a) Allow the State Board of Direct Entry Midwifery to review the motion or complaint before beginning the investigation; (b) Allow the board to prioritize the investigation with respect to other investigations related to the practice of direct entry midwifery; and (c) Consult with the board during and after the investigation for the purpose of determining whether to pursue disciplinary action. [2003 c.547 §1; 2005 c.648 §4; 2009 c.701 §10; 2009 c.756 §§5a,92; 2013 c.314 §10; 2013 c.568 §25; 2013 c.657 §5; 2017 c.101 §22; 2017 c.155 §12d; 2017 c.499 §12; 2019 c.456 §19]