<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".24" citation="COMAR 10.07.05.24" title_num="10" subtitle_num="07" chapter_num="05" heading="Emergency Suspension.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>The Secretary may immediately suspend a license on finding that the public health, safety, or welfare imperatively requires emergency action</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>The Department shall deliver a written notice to the licensee:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Informing the licensee of the emergency suspension;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Giving the reasons for the action, and the regulation or regulations with which the licensee has failed to comply that forms the basis for the emergency suspension; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Notifying the licensee of its right to request a hearing and to be represented by counsel.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>The filing of a hearing request does not stay the emergency action.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>When a license is suspended by emergency action:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The agency shall immediately return the license to the Department;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The agency shall immediately stop providing services; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The agency shall notify competent clients and client representatives about the suspension and make every reasonable effort to assist them in making other arrangements for services.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>A person aggrieved by the action of the Secretary under this regulation may appeal the Secretary’s action by filing a request for a hearing in accordance with Regulation .28 of this chapter.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>Show Cause Hearing.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>In addition to the right to request an evidentiary hearing in accordance with Regulation .28 of this chapter, a person aggrieved by the action of the Secretary under this regulation shall be provided with the opportunity for a hearing to show cause why the Department should lift the summary suspension before the evidentiary hearing.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The show cause hearing shall be held promptly.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The show cause hearing shall be a nonevidentiary hearing to provide the parties with an opportunity for oral argument on the summary suspension.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>The show cause hearing shall be conducted before the Secretary, or a designee of the Secretary, who:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Shall determine procedural issues;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>May impose reasonable time limits on each party’s oral argument; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Shall make rulings reasonably necessary to facilitate the effective and efficient operation of the show cause hearing.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>At the conclusion of the show cause hearing, the Secretary or the Secretary’s designee may:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Affirm the order of summary suspension;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Rescind the order of summary suspension;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Enter into a consent order; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Enter into an interim order warranted by the circumstances of the case, including one providing for a stay of the summary suspension subject to certain conditions.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>After the show cause hearing, if the Secretary or the Secretary’s designee decides to continue the summary suspension, the person aggrieved by the decision may request an evidentiary hearing before the Office of Administrative Hearings in accordance with Regulation .28 of this chapter.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>If the Secretary’s final decision does not uphold the emergency suspension, the agency may resume operation.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>