(a)  In the event a person is hospitalized for mental illness or as an alcoholic as defined in chapter 1.10 of Title 23, the board may, without the necessity of the proceedings provided for in § 5-40-16, suspend, or refuse to renew the license of that person for the duration of his or her confinement or until that person is medically discharged from hospitalization.

Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 5-40-15

  • Board: means the board of physical therapy established by § 5-40-2. See Rhode Island General Laws 5-40-1
  • License: means a license issued by the department to practice physical therapy. See Rhode Island General Laws 5-40-1
  • Nolo contendere: No contest-has the same effect as a plea of guilty, as far as the criminal sentence is concerned, but may not be considered as an admission of guilt for any other purpose.
  • person: may be construed to extend to and include co-partnerships and bodies corporate and politic. See Rhode Island General Laws 43-3-6
  • Plea: In a criminal case, the defendant's statement pleading "guilty" or "not guilty" in answer to the charges, a declaration made in open court.

(b)  A plea of nolo contendere cannot be used as a defense to prevent the board from suspending or refusing to renew the license.

History of Section.
P.L. 1982, ch. 261, § 2.