Section 4762.18. Injunctions

(A) Subject to division (E) of this section, the attorney general, the prosecuting attorney of any county in which the offense was committed or the offender resides, the state medical board, or any other person having knowledge of a person engaged either directly or by complicity in the practice of oriental medicine or acupuncture without having first obtained a certificate to do so pursuant to this chapter, may, in accord with provisions of the Revised Code governing injunctions, maintain an action in the name of the state to enjoin any person from engaging either directly or by complicity in the unlawful practice of oriental medicine or acupuncture by applying for an injunction in any court of competent jurisdiction.

(B) Prior to application for an injunction under division (A) of this section, the secretary of the state medical board shall notify the person allegedly engaged either directly or by complicity in the unlawful practice of oriental medicine or acupuncture by registered mail that the secretary has received information indicating that this person is so engaged. The person shall answer the secretary within thirty days showing that the person is either properly licensed for the stated activity or that the person is not in violation of this chapter. If the answer is not forthcoming within thirty days after notice by the secretary, the secretary shall request that the attorney general, the prosecuting attorney of the county in which the offense was committed or the offender resides, or the state medical board proceed as authorized in this section.

(C) Upon the filing of a verified petition in court, the court shall conduct a hearing on the petition and shall give the same preference to this proceeding as is given all proceedings under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, irrespective of the position of the proceeding on the calendar of the court.

(D) Injunction proceedings as authorized by this section shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, all penalties and other remedies provided in this chapter.

(E) An injunction proceeding permitted by division (A) of this section may not be maintained against a person described in division (B) of section 4762.02 of the Revised Code or a chiropractor who holds a valid certificate to practice acupuncture issued under section 4734.283 of the Revised Code.

Amended by 129th General AssemblyFile No.171, HB 251, §1, eff. 3/22/2013.

Effective Date: 08-10-2000; 2007 SB33 08-22-2007; 2008 SB245 08-22-2008