Penalties for violation of Section 20-2-54, rules, or regulations.

(a) In addition to any other penalty authorized under Section 20-2-54, the State Board of Medical Examiners, acting in its capacity as a certifying board, may in its discretion assess administrative fines not to exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000) for each violation of any of the provisions of Section 20-2-54, or any rule or regulation duly promulgated by the board.

(b) In addition to the administrative fine authorized in subsection (a), the board may require a physician or osteopath found to be in violation of Section 20-2-54, to pay the costs, fees, and expenses of the board incurred in connection with any proceedings before the board, including, but not limited to, the actual costs of independent medical review and expert testimony, reasonable and necessary attorney fees and expenses, deposition costs, travel expenses for board staff, charges incurred for obtaining documentary evidence, and such other categories of expenses as may be prescribed in rules published by the board. Payment of any costs, fees, or expenses ordered by the board shall be made and enforced in the same manner as an administrative fine.

(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, any action commenced for the purpose of seeking judicial review of an order or decision of the State Board of Medical Examiners suspending or revoking a registration as authorized under Section 20-2-54 must be filed, commenced, and maintained in the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals.

(Acts 1986, No. 86-451, p. 817, §1; Act 2002-140, p. 359, §3; Act 2007-402, p. 807, §1; Act 2008-397, p. 771, §1; Act 2010-713, p. 1761, §1.)