193A—15.8(17A,272C,542) Closing complaint files.
	15.8(1) Grounds for closing. The board may close a complaint file, with or without prior investigation. Given the broad scope of matters about which members of the public may have complaints, it is not possible to catalog all possible reasons why the board may close a complaint file.
	15.8(2) Closing orders. The board’s administrator may enter an order stating the basis for the board’s decision to close a complaint file. If entered, the order will not contain the identity of the complainant or the respondent and will not disclose confidential complaint or investigative information.
If entered, a closing order will be indexed by case number and is a public record pursuant to Iowa Code section 17A.3(1)“d.” A copy of the order may be mailed to the complainant, if any, and to the respondent. The board’s decision whether or not to pursue an investigation, to institute disciplinary proceedings, or to close a file is not subject to judicial review.
	15.8(3) Cautionary letters. The board may issue a confidential letter of caution to a licensee when a complaint file is closed that informally cautions or educates the licensee about matters that could form the basis for disciplinary action in the future if corrective action is not taken by the licensee. Informal cautionary letters do not constitute disciplinary action, but the board may take such letters into consideration in the future if a licensee continues a practice about which the licensee has been cautioned.
	15.8(4) Reopening closed complaint files. The board may reopen a closed complaint file if additional information arises after closure that provides a basis to reassess the merits of the initial complaint.
[ARC 7691C, IAB 3/6/24, effective 4/10/24]