<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".19" citation="COMAR 07.03.16.19" title_num="07" subtitle_num="03" chapter_num="16" heading="Appeals and Complaints of Discrimination.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Agency Conference. A RCA applicant or recipient may request an agency conference to:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Promptly resolve the date of entry into the United States by the applicant or recipient;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Obtain an explanation of the reasons for proposed actions; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Present information to show that the proposed action is incorrect.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Appeal of Local Department Decision.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The LDSS shall give to each applicant or recipient of RCA written notification of the right to and procedures for requesting and obtaining an administrative hearing as set forth in COMAR 07.01.04.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The LDSS may not terminate an individual's benefits prior to completion of the final administrative decision, but the individual is subject to recovery of any overpayment if the LDSS action is sustained.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>A hearing need not be granted if:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Federal law requires automatic grant adjustments for classes of recipients unless the reason for an individual appeal is incorrect benefit calculation; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Assistance is terminated because the time period imposed by law has been reached unless the issue is the date of entry into the United States.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Discrimination.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The LDSS may not discriminate against any individual on the grounds of race, color, national origin, gender, age, marital status, mental or physical disability, or religious or political affiliation.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>An individual may file a written complaint which sets forth the events and circumstances of alleged discrimination with the:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Secretary;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Local department;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Department's Constituent Services Office;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Departmental Equal Opportunity Officer; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Region III, Philadelphia, PA.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The Department shall investigate promptly and notify the complainant of its findings within 60 days of the filing of a written complaint with the Department.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>