<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".04" citation="COMAR 07.01.01.04" title_num="07" subtitle_num="01" chapter_num="01" heading="Petition for the Adoption or Waiver of Regulations.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Who May File.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>An interested person may file a petition with the Secretary requesting the promulgation, amendment, or repeal of a regulation.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A subdivision within the jurisdiction of the Department, as specified in Regulation .01C of this chapter, may file a petition requesting a waiver of a regulation for purposes of a pilot or demonstration program.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Form. The petition shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Be in writing;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Contain a:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Brief statement of a regulation requested to be promulgated, referenced to the regulation, amendment, or repeal being sought, and a statement of:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Any proposed amendment, and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Reasons to support the proposed regulation change; or</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Brief statement and justification of the requested waiver; and</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Include the petitioner's:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Name;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Address;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Telephone number; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Facsimile number, if available.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Petition Filed.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The petition shall be filed with the Secretary of Human Services for the Secretary's consideration and disposition.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A petition addressed to other Department officials or employees shall be forwarded to the Secretary within 48 hours of receipt of the petition.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The time period to respond to the petition, as indicated in §E of this regulation, begins on the date the Secretary receives the petition.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Consideration. The Secretary shall consider the petition and may use any of the following procedures to obtain additional information or views:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Publication of the petition or its summary in the Maryland Register;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Submission of the petition to other interested individuals requesting comments;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Public meetings or hearings on the petition; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Any other procedure designed to obtain the views of the public on the petition's subject matter.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Disposition. Within 60 days after receipt of the petition, the Secretary shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Either:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Deny the petition stating the reasons for the denial, or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Initiate the promulgation or waiver of the regulation; and</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Send written notice of the action taken on the petition to:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The petitioner, and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Any other individual requesting notification.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>Department Records.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The Secretary shall maintain a file of all submitted petitions and responses.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The file shall be available for public inspection.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>