<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".06" citation="COMAR 02.05.01.06" title_num="02" subtitle_num="05" chapter_num="01" heading="Public Hearing.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Within 90 days of receiving a complete application, including all expert reports required or requested by the Attorney General, the Attorney General shall hold a public hearing in the jurisdiction in which the hospital to be acquired by the transferee is located. If the acquisition involves hospitals in more than one jurisdiction, the Attorney General shall hold at least one public hearing in each jurisdiction in which a hospital to be acquired by the transferee is located.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>The hearing shall be quasi-legislative and not a contested case hearing.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Notice of all hearings shall be published in accordance with State Government Article, §6.5-202, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>The transferee is responsible for all reasonable costs related to the public hearings.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>The Attorney General shall determine the conduct of the hearing, including:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The order of presentation; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Time limits for questions and testimony.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>The Attorney General may:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Request the attendance of persons to testify or the production of documents;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Issue a subpoena requiring the:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Attendance of persons to testify; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Production of documents;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Employ related discovery procedures;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Request that the Department join the Attorney General in presiding at the hearing;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Require testimony to be given under oath;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>Ask questions of anyone present at the hearing;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>Take questions from the audience and redirect the questions to others present at the hearing; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(8)">
      <text>Record the hearing by audiotape or stenographic means.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>Recorded Hearings.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>If the hearing is recorded, the Office of the Attorney General or the Attorney General's designee shall maintain the original audiotape or stenographic record.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The transferee shall be responsible for the cost of transcribing the record and providing a copy of the record to the:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Transferee;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Transferor; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Attorney General.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="H.">
    <text>The rules of evidence do not apply to a hearing held under this chapter.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="I.">
    <text>The Attorney General shall receive and mark all exhibits offered at the hearing if they are relevant to the hearing.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="J.">
    <text>The Attorney General shall control and maintain custody of the hearing record, which shall consist of:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The complete application;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Notice of all hearings;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Exhibits and other documents entered into the record as approved by the Attorney General;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>The register of all persons who participated in the hearing;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Any audiotape of the hearing;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>Any transcript of the hearing; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>The final decision of the Attorney General.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>