# Sec. 13-325. Administrative hearing

Codified through Bill No. CB-018-2026, adopted May 12, 2026, effective July 24, 2026. Source: Municode, Supplement 2026 Update 2. Editorial notes and legislative history omitted.

## Sec. 13-325. Administrative hearing

Prince George's County, Md., Code § 13-325 (2026)

(a) A hearing panel appointed under Section 13-324 must hold a hearing on each dispute that is not resolved by mediation under Section 13-323 unless the Commission finds that:

  (1) the dispute is essentially identical to another dispute between the same parties on which a hearing has already been held under this Section; or

  (2) the dispute is clearly not within the jurisdiction of the Commission.

(b) The parties need not be given more than 15 days' notice before the hearing is held, if the Commission finds that an expedited hearing is necessary. At any hearing, a party or a witness may be advised by counsel.

(c) If any party, after proper notice, does not appear at the scheduled hearing, the hearing panel may order any relief to another party that the facts on record warrant.

(d) The hearing panel may award costs, including reasonable attorney's fees, to any party if the other party:

  (1) filed or maintained a frivolous dispute, or filed or maintained a dispute in bad faith;

  (2) refused to participate in mediation of a dispute, unreasonably withdrew from mediation; or

  (3) substantially delayed or hindered the dispute resolution process without good cause. The hearing panel may also require the losing party in a dispute to pay all or part of the filing fee.

(e) The hearing panel must apply State and County laws and all relevant caselaw to the facts of the dispute and may order the payment of damages and any other relief that the law and the facts warrant. The decision of the hearing panel is binding on the parties, subject to judicial review.

(f) A party aggrieved by a final decision in a case governed by this Division may seek judicial review of the decision in the Circuit Court under the applicable Maryland Rules of Procedure governing judicial review of administrative agency decisions. A party aggrieved by the decision of the Circuit Court may appeal that decision to the Maryland Court of Appeals. Unless the court reviewing the decision of the hearing authority orders a stay, the hearing authority's decision remains in effect pending a final decision of the court.

(g) If the hearing has been held under Section 13-324(d), the hearing examiner must forward a recommended decision and an order to a Commission panel. The Commission panel may adopt, reverse, modify, or remand the recommended decision before issuing its final order as provided in this Section.

(h) An appeal of a decision under this Section must be consolidated with any case filed under Section 13-319 that arises out of the same facts.

(i) The court hearing an appeal must sustain the decision of the hearing panel unless the decision is:

  (1) inconsistent with applicable law;

  (2) not supported by substantial evidence on the record; or

  (3) arbitrary and capricious, considering all facts before the hearing panel.

(j) The Commission, acting through the Office, and the County Attorney, may enforce a decision of the hearing panel by taking any appropriate legal action.

(k) In addition to any other penalty allowed by law, any person who does not comply with a final Commission order issued under this Division has committed a civil penalty with a maximum of a $500 fine for an initial offense and a $1,000 fine for each repeat offense. Each day that a person does not comply with a Commission order is a separate offense.