The Florida Senate

455.521  Department; powers and duties.--The department, for the professions under its jurisdiction, shall:

(1)  Adopt rules establishing a procedure for the biennial renewal of licenses; however, the department may issue up to a 4-year license to selected licensees notwithstanding any other provisions of law to the contrary. Fees for such renewal shall not exceed the fee caps for individual professions on an annualized basis as authorized by law.

(2)  Appoint the executive director of each board, subject to the approval of the board.

(3)  Submit an annual budget to the Legislature at a time and in the manner provided by law.

(4)  Develop a training program for persons newly appointed to membership on any board. The program shall familiarize such persons with the substantive and procedural laws and rules and fiscal information relating to the regulation of the appropriate profession and with the structure of the department.

(5)  Adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to implement the provisions of this part.

(6)  Establish by rules procedures by which the department shall use the expert or technical advice of the appropriate board for the purposes of investigation, inspection, evaluation of applications, other duties of the department, or any other areas the department may deem appropriate.

(7)  Require all proceedings of any board or panel thereof and all formal or informal proceedings conducted by the department, an administrative law judge, or a hearing officer with respect to licensing or discipline to be electronically recorded in a manner sufficient to assure the accurate transcription of all matters so recorded.

(8)  Select only those investigators, or consultants who undertake investigations, who meet criteria established with the advice of the respective boards.

(9)  Allow applicants for new or renewal licenses and current licensees to be screened by the Title IV-D child support agency pursuant to s. 409.2598 to assure compliance with a support obligation. The purpose of this subsection is to promote the public policy of this state as established in s. 409.2551. The department shall, when directed by the court, suspend or deny the license of any licensee found to have a delinquent support obligation. The department shall issue or reinstate the license without additional charge to the licensee when notified by the court that the licensee has complied with the terms of the court order. The department shall not be held liable for any license denial or suspension resulting from the discharge of its duties under this subsection.

History.--s. 39, ch. 97-261; s. 118, ch. 98-200; s. 74, ch. 99-397.