§ 5-45-12. Disciplinary proceedings €” Grounds for discipline.

(a) The department may suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew any license issued under this chapter, or may reprimand, censure, or discipline a licensee or may require participation in continuing education or professional mentoring or may place an administrator on probation in accordance with the provisions of this section, upon decision and after a hearing as provided by chapter 35 of title 42, upon proof that the licensee engaged in unprofessional conduct. Unprofessional conduct includes, but is not limited to, any of the following:

(1) Being unfit or incompetent by reason of negligence, habits, or other causes;

(2) Violating any of the provisions of this chapter or the rules enacted in accordance with it; or acting in a manner inconsistent with the health and safety of the patients of the nursing facility in which he or she is the administrator;

(3) Engaging in fraud or deceit in the practice of nursing home administration, or in his or her admission to this practice;

(4) Being convicted in a court of competent jurisdiction, either within or without this state, of a felony; or

(5) Failing to conform to minimal standards of acceptable and prevailing practice of nursing home administration.

(b) If a nursing home administrator is placed on probation, the department may require the licensee to:

(1) Report regularly to the department on matters that are the basis of the probation;

(2) Limit practice to the areas prescribed by the department; or

(3) Complete a prescribed program of continuing professional education until the licensee attains a degree of skill satisfactory to the department in those areas that are the basis of the probation.