1.  Disciplinary proceedings and sanctions.  The board or, as delegated, its subcommittee or staff, shall investigate a complaint on its own motion or upon receipt of a written complaint filed with the board regarding noncompliance with or violation of this chapter or of any rules adopted by the board. Investigation may include an informal conference before the board, its subcommittee or staff to determine whether grounds exist for suspension, revocation or denial of a license or for taking other disciplinary action pursuant to this chapter. The board, its subcommittee or staff may subpoena witnesses, records and documents, including records and documents maintained by a health care facility or other service organization or person related to the delivery of emergency medical services, in any investigation or hearing it conducts.  

2.  Notice.  The board shall notify the licensee of the content of a complaint filed against the licensee as soon as possible, but in no event later than 60 days after the board or staff receives the initial pertinent information. The licensee has the right to respond within 30 days in all cases except those involving an emergency denial, suspension or revocation, as described in the Maine Administrative Procedure Act, Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 5. If the licensee's response to the complaint satisfies the board or staff that the complaint does not merit further investigation or action, the matter may be dismissed, with notice of the dismissal to the complainant, if any.  

3.  Informal conference.  If, in the opinion of the board, its subcommittee or staff, the factual basis of the complaint is or may be true and the complaint is of sufficient gravity to warrant further action, the board or staff may request an informal conference with the licensee. The board shall provide the licensee with adequate notice of the conference and of the issues to be discussed. The conference must be conducted in executive session of the board, subcommittee or staff, pursuant to Title 1, section 405, unless otherwise requested by the licensee. Statements made at the conference may not be introduced at a subsequent formal administrative or judicial hearing unless all parties consent. The licensee may, without prejudice, refuse to participate in an informal conference if the licensee prefers to request an adjudicatory hearing. If the licensee participates in the informal conference, the licensee waives the right to object to a participant at the hearing who participated at the informal conference.  

4.  Further action.  If the board, its subcommittee or staff finds that the factual basis of the complaint is true and is of sufficient gravity to warrant further action, it may take any of the following actions.  

5.  Grounds for licensing action.  A decision to take action against any applicant or licensee pursuant to this chapter or any rules adopted pursuant to this chapter, including, but not limited to, a decision to impose a civil penalty or to refuse to issue or renew a license or to modify, suspend or revoke a license of a person, service or vehicle, may be predicated on the following grounds:  

6.  Notice of action.  In any proceeding under this section with regard to an ambulance service owned and operated by a municipality or a private ambulance service with which a municipality contracts for services, if the board takes further licensing action under subsection 4, the board shall notify in writing the town manager or city manager and the municipal officers of the municipality that owns and operates or contracts with the ambulance service within 5 business days of taking the action.