§ 89E-17. Complaints and investigations. - North Carolina Statutes

§89E‑17.  Complaints and investigations.

(a)        Any person may filewritten charges with the Board against any licensee pursuant to rules andregulations adopted by the Board; provided however, such charges or allegationsshall be in writing and shall be sworn to by the person or persons making themand shall be filed with the secretary. The Board shall have the authority andshall be under a duty to investigate reasonably all valid complaints.

(b)        The Board mayappoint, employ, or retain investigators for the purpose of examining orinquiring into any acts committed in this State that may violate the provisionsof this Chapter, the Board's code of professional conduct, or the Board'srules. The Board may expend funds for salaries and fees in connection with aninvestigation conducted pursuant to this Chapter.

(c)        Investigations bythe Board shall be confidential until the Board takes disciplinary actionagainst a licensee or corporate registrant. Records, papers, and otherdocuments containing information collected or compiled by the Board, itsmembers, or employees as a result of an investigation, inquiry, or interviewconducted pursuant to this Chapter shall not be a public record within themeaning of Chapter 132 of the General Statutes, except any notice or statementof charges or notice of hearing in any proceeding conducted by the Board andany records, papers, or other documents containing information collected andcompiled by the Board and admitted into evidence in a hearing before the Boardshall be a public record. (1983 (Reg. Sess., 1984), c. 1074, s. 1; 1999‑355,s. 1.)