If an investigation is opened, the Complaint Committee will review the entire investigation file and make a recommendation to the full Board whether the complaint should be dismissed or a “formal complaint” should be filed by the Board.
Complaint Processing Procedure
I. BOARD OF PHYSICAL THERAPY RECEIVES A COMPLAINT
A. Board office sends Complainant a letter acknowledging receipt of complaint.
B. Board office shall notify the Respondent of the receipt of the complaint and the essential
contents of the complaint. The Board may keep the Complainant’s name confidential until
completion of any Board investigation.
C. The Respondent shall file a Reply to the Complaint with the Board within twenty (20) days after
receipt of notice of the complaint. If the Board does not receive a reply within the twenty days, a
reminder letter by certified mail may be sent.
D. The Board office assigns a number to the complaint to maintain anonymity for full
Board discussions.
E. The Board office sends copies of the initiating complaint and Respondent's reply to
Complaint Committee.
F. The Complaint Committee discusses the material to determine whether:
1. there are grounds for an investigation to be conducted, and
2. specific sections of KRS Chapter 327 may have been violated.
G. Complaint Committee prepares for the next full Board meeting:
1. an overview of the facts of the initiating complaint and reply,
using numbered identifiers to maintain Respondent’s anonymity.
2. an opinion whether there was an alleged violation of KRS Chapter 327
3. a recommendation to the Board that it open a Formal Investigation or close the
complaint.
II. PRELIMINARY FULL BOARD DECISION: Is there sufficient evidence of a violation to
merit further investigation?
A. If the Board votes to close the complaint, the Board office will send letters to both the
Complainant and the Respondent, stating that the complaint has been closed.
B. If the Board votes to open an investigation, an investigator will be appointed to gather additional
facts regarding the case.
III. INVESTIGATION
A. The Board office sends copies of the initiating complaint and Respondent's reply to the
Investigator assigned to the case.
B. The Board staff shall contact the investigator, clearly specify aspects of the complaint to be
investigated, Sections of KRS Chapter 327 under review, and set a reasonable deadline for
completion of the report.
C. The Board staff remain informed about details of the investigation through
communication with the Investigator and Board’s Counsel.
D. At the completion of the investigation, the Complaint Committee reviews a report of the
investigation to formulate:
1. an opinion as to whether there was an alleged violation of KRS Chapter 327; and
2. a recommendation to the full Board whether to issue a Formal Complaint or close
the complaint.
IV. FULL BOARD DECISION: Is there sufficient evidence of a violation to file a Formal
Complaint?
A. If not, the Full board votes to close complaint, and the Board office sends letters to Complainant
and Respondent, stating that the complaint has been closed
B. If so, the Full Board votes to issue a Formal Complaint, alleged violations are specified and a
Hearing Date is scheduled.
V. PROCESSING OF FORMAL COMPLAINT
A. The Complaint Committee may consult with Counsel regarding settlement negotiations, shielding
other Board members from prejudicial information should a hearing be necessary.
B. The full Board must approve the settlement agreement
1. If settled, Counsel sends letters notifying all parties involved.
2. If not settled, a hearing is held, Complaint Committee will recuse from hearing the
matter, but will serve as a consultant to Counsel in presentation of the case.
C. The hearing body will consist of Board members and/or a Hearing Officer.
D. The Hearing Officer is given deadline to file a report under KRS Chapter 13B.
VI. HEARING DECISION: Is there enough evidence to believe a violation of the law occurred?
A. If not, the hearing body dismisses the complaint, and the Board office sends letters of
dismissal to parties involved.
B. If so, hearing body determines sanctions if a quorum is present or presents sanctions for
approval at next meeting of the full Board.