Authority to issue citations.

(1) Notwithstanding s. 455.225, the board or the department shall adopt rules to permit the issuance of citations. The citation shall be issued to the subject and shall contain the subject’s name and address, the subject’s license number if applicable, a brief factual statement, the sections of the law allegedly violated, and the penalty imposed. The citation must clearly state that the subject may choose, in lieu of accepting the citation, to follow the procedure under s. 455.225. If the subject disputes the matter in the citation, the procedures set forth in s. 455.225 must be followed. However, if the subject does not dispute the matter in the citation with the department within 30 days after the citation is served, the citation becomes a final order and constitutes discipline. The penalty shall be a fine or other conditions as established by rule.

(2) The board, or the department when there is no board, shall adopt rules designating violations for which a citation may be issued. Such rules shall designate as citation violations those violations for which there is no substantial threat to the public health, safety, and welfare.

(3) The department shall be entitled to recover the costs of investigation, in addition to any penalty provided according to board or department rule, as part of the penalty levied pursuant to the citation.

(4) A citation must be issued within 6 months after the filing of the complaint that is the basis for the citation.

(5) Service of a citation may be made by personal service or certified mail, restricted delivery, to the subject at the subject’s last known address.

(6) Within its jurisdiction, the department has exclusive authority to, and shall adopt rules to, designate those violations for which the licensee is subject to the issuance of a citation and designate the penalties for those violations if any board fails to incorporate this section into rules by January 1, 1992. A board created on or after January 1, 1992, has 6 months in which to enact rules designating violations and penalties appropriate for citation offenses. Failure to enact such rules gives the department exclusive authority to adopt rules as required for implementing this section. A board has continuous authority to amend its rules adopted pursuant to this section.