California CodesBusiness and Professions Code - BPCDivision 2 — Healing ArtsChapter 8.3 — Respiratory TherapyArticle 6 — Offenses and EnforcementSection 3769.3

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision, the board may, by stipulation with the affected licensee, issue a public reprimand, after it has conducted an investigation, in lieu of filing or prosecuting a formal accusation.

(b) The stipulation shall contain the authority, grounds, and causes and circumstances for taking such action and by way of waiving the affected licensee’s rights, inform the licensee of his or her rights to have a formal accusation filed and stipulate to a settlement thereafter or have the matter in the statement of issues heard before an administrative law judge in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code).

(c) The stipulation shall be public information and shall be used as evidence in any future disciplinary or penalty action taken by the board.