<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".14" citation="COMAR 09.12.11.14" title_num="09" subtitle_num="12" chapter_num="11" heading="Rules of Procedure for Hearings.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>This regulation supplements the requirements of State Government Article, §10-208, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Hearing Procedure.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>During a hearing, a party in interest may make any relevant statement or argument either directly or through counsel.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Presiding Officer.</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>“Presiding officer” means the Commissioner or an individual authorized to conduct a hearing.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The presiding officer shall:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Call the title of the case;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Briefly explain the purpose and nature of the hearing;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Recite any charge, complaint, or other matter involved;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iv)">
          <text>Receive stipulations entered into by the parties; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(v)">
          <text>Administer the oath to all persons who are summoned or intend to testify.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>The presiding officer may examine any witness.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Counsel for any interested party or a party may raise and address any preliminary objection, exception, or motion.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>The following exhibits shall be introduced:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>If the presiding officer is a designee, a copy of the letter designating the individual to preside at the hearing;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>A copy of the petition, complaint, or other matter involved in the hearing; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>A copy of the notice of hearing.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Presentation of Evidence.</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>“Presentor” means the assistant attorney general assigned to present evidence.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The presentor shall introduce information obtained as a result of any investigation caused to be made by the Commissioner of Labor and Industry.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Subject to applicable statutes and rules governing the practice of law, each party or counsel representing a party or presentor may:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Present, examine, and cross-examine witnesses; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Offer nontestimonial evidence.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Decision and Order.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>If the presiding officer at the hearing is a designee, the presiding officer shall make findings of fact and file them with the Commissioner.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The Commissioner shall issue a decision and order containing:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Findings of fact based on evidence presented at the hearing;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Conclusions of law applying law to factual findings; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>An order disposing of the case.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>A copy of the decision and order shall be served on each party or the party's counsel of record.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>