§ 1582. Regulatory authority; unprofessional conduct

(a) The Board may deny an application for licensure, renewal, or reinstatement; revoke or suspend any license to practice issued by it; or discipline or in other ways condition the practice of an applicant or licensee upon due notice and opportunity for hearing if the person engages in the following conduct or the conduct set forth in 3 V.S.A. § 129a:

(1) making or causing to be made a false, fraudulent, or forged statement or representation in procuring or attempting to procure registration or renew a license;

(2) diverting or attempting to divert drugs or equipment or supplies for unauthorized use;

(3) engaging in conduct of a character likely to deceive, defraud, or harm the public;

(4) willfully failing to file or record, or willfully impeding or obstructing filing or recording, or inducing another person to omit to file or record medical reports;

(5) fraudulent or deceitful submission of any information or records to the Board;

(6) leaving a nursing assignment without properly advising appropriate personnel;

(7) violating confidentiality by inappropriately revealing information or knowledge about a patient or client;

(8) knowingly aiding or abetting a health care provider who is not legally practicing within the State in the provision of health care services;

(9) permitting one's name or license to be used by a person, group, or corporation when not actually in charge of or responsible for the treatment given;

(10) failing to comply with the patient bill of rights provisions of 18 V.S.A. § 1852 or other statutes governing the profession;

(11) sexual misconduct that exploits the provider-patient relationship, including sexual contact with a patient, surrogates, or key third parties;

(12) abusing or neglecting a patient or misappropriating patient property;

(13) failing to report to the Board any violation of this chapter or of the Board's rules; or

(14) failing to take appropriate action to safeguard a patient from incompetent health care.

(b) A person shall not be liable in a civil action for damages resulting from the good faith reporting of information to the Board about incompetent, unprofessional, or unlawful conduct of a licensee.