<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".04" citation="COMAR 07.01.04.04" title_num="07" subtitle_num="01" chapter_num="04" heading="Processing of Appeal Requests.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>The procedures in this regulation do not apply to appeals concerning child support enforcement. OAH is responsible for processing child support appeal requests.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>The agency shall establish procedures to acknowledge receipt of and process all appeal requests in a timely manner.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Within 5 business days of either the filing date of a written appeal request or the date that an oral request is reduced to writing, the agency shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Forward the following information to OAH:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Date of the request,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Name and address of the appellant,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Name and address of the agency representative,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Action being appealed,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Date of the action being appealed; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(f)">
        <text>Date notice of the action was mailed to the appellant; and</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Acknowledge to the appellant receipt of the appeal request.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Conference.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>When the agency acknowledges receipt of an appeal request, the agency shall promptly:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Offer the appellant a conference; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Advise the appellant that the conference is optional and will not delay or replace the hearing.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>An agency supervisor shall attend the conference.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The case manager responsible for the action may also attend.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Although a conference may lead to an informal resolution of the dispute, a hearing shall be held unless the appellant withdraws the appeal request in writing.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>If an appellant requests a conference in an appeal concerning denial of a request for expedited food stamps, the agency shall hold the conference within 2 business days of the filing date of the request unless the appellant asks that it be delayed.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>