9.20.170 Suspension or revocation of license -- Suspension or revocation of registration card -- Disciplinary proceedings.

A. The board may impose sanctions, as defined in this chapter, for any of the following causes :

1. Any cause that would constitute grounds for denial of a license or registration card ;

2. Violation of this chapter or conviction of any other county ordinance, state or federal law or regulation involving moral turpitude by a licensee or employee ;

3. The licensee knowingly permitting the existence of any health or safety hazard upon the premises occupied by the licensed operation or employing any person as a prostitute when such person does not have a current and valid health certificate ;

4. Refusal of the licensee or employee to comply with any lawful order issued by the board.

5. Any cause which the board may determine, after hearing, as provided in this chapter, to be deleterious to the health, safety, morals and general welfare of the general public ;

6. If a licensee, agent or employee, or anyone acting on behalf of such person suffers a criminal conviction for a violation of NRS 201.430 or NRS 201.440.

B. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, before taking any disciplinary action against the licensee or employee the board shall :

1. Provide the licensee or employee against whom the proceedings are brought, written specifications charging the licensee or employee with the acts or failures upon which the disciplinary proceedings are brought. The charging instrument shall be subscribed to and verified. The respondent must answer within ten days after service of the charging instrument. Service shall be effected in the same manner as provided in this chapter for service of the notice of hearing ;

2. The respondent's answer must :

a. State in short and plain terms the defenses to each claim asserted,

b. Admit or deny the facts alleged in the charging instrument,

c. State which allegations he/she is without knowledge or information to form a belief as to their truth. Such allegations shall be deemed denied,

d. Affirmatively set forth any matter which constitutes an avoidance or affirmative defense,

e. May demand a hearing. Failure to demand a hearing constitutes a waiver of the right to a hearing, and to judicial review of any decision or order of the board, but the board may order a hearing even if respondent so waives his/her right ;

3. Failure to answer or to appear at the hearing constitutes an admission by the respondent of all facts alleged in the charging instrument. The board may take action based on such an admission and on other evidence without further notice to the respondent. If the board takes action based on such an admission, it shall include in the record what evidence such action was based on ;

4. Give written notice of hearings, providing the time, date, and place ;

5. Notice of hearing shall be served upon the licensee or employee or posted upon the premises of the house of prostitution ;

6. Conduct a hearing upon the charges alleged against the licensee or employee. (Ord. 129 (part), 1988)