HB 893

Allows for the NC State Board of Chiropractic Examiners (Board) to charge the licensee costs for a disciplinary action (defined) against them under GS 90-157.4 only if the disciplinary action results in a disposition other than a complete exoneration. Specifies that the costs may include attorneys’ fees (was, reasonable attorneys’ fees), as well as the newly added meeting costs, investigative fees, and any other costs so long as they do not exceed the following amounts: (1) $1,000 in a disciplinary action settled by consent without a full Board hearing or (2) $3,000 in a disciplinary action adjudicated by the Board after a full hearing or if the Board refers the action to the Office of Administrative Hearings. Provides for reasonable actual costs, including attorneys’ fees incurred by the Board where it makes findings of fact after a full disciplinary hearing that the licensee’s defense was dilatory or not asserted in good faith. Provides for the Board to send an itemized description of costs to the licensee and processes for a refund if the licensee is overcharged.