• The Bureau will request authorization to investigate the complaint from the appropriate
health professional board.
• Close the complaint with no further action due to the complaint not being associated
with a possible violation of the Public Health Code.
• Close and refer the matter to another state agency or entity if the complaint is not within
the jurisdiction of BPL/LARA.
NOTE: LARA may work with law enforcement, the Attorney General’s Office, MDHHS and
other agencies depending on the nature of the complaint.
What happens during a complaint investigation?
During an investigation based on a complaint, BPL investigators will interview relevant parties
and collect evidence related to the complaint. BPL’s investigations are independent of any
other investigation of a licensee, such as, by their employer, law enforcement, etc.
What happens after a complaint investigation is completed?
If it is determined from the investigation that a violation of the Public Health Code cannot be
substantiated, BPL will close the complaint file and notify the complainant.
If it is determined from the investigation that a violation of the Public Health Code has
occurred, BPL will file an administrative complaint against the licensee. Depending on the
nature of the case, BPL has the authority to summarily suspend the license if the public health,
safety, or welfare requires emergency action.
What options does the licensee have after an administrative complaint is filed?
Once an administrative complaint is issued to a licensee, the licensee may do any of the
following:
• Respond and admit to the facts of the administrative complaint and agree to a Consent
Order. The matter will proceed to the appropriate board for sanctions.
• Seek a compliance conference with BPL to discuss and possibly settle the matter. This
is an opportunity for the licensee to reach a settlement without having to address the
issue at an administrative hearing. This may result in a licensee being sanctioned,
which could include being fined, placed on probation, or suspended from practice. If an
agreement is reached, the proposed settlement must be approved by the disciplinary
subcommittee (DSC) of the appropriate licensing board before it becomes final. If a
settlement is not reached or if the DSC rejects the proposed settlement, the case
proceeds to an administrative hearing.
• Request a hearing with the Michigan Office of Administrative Hearings & rules
(MOAHR) for an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) to determine the facts of the case and
prepare a Proposal for Decision (PFD). The case would then go to the DSC for approval