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<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".23" citation="COMAR 10.07.08.23" title_num="10" subtitle_num="07" chapter_num="08" 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>Notice of Emergency Suspension. 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>Suspension of License. When a license is suspended by emergency action, the licensee shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Immediately return the license to the Department;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Stop providing services immediately; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Notify patients or the patients' 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 consistent with Regulation .25 this chapter.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>Show Cause Hearing.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>In addition to the right to request a hearing consistent with Regulation .25 of this chapter, a person aggrieved by the action of the Secretary under this regulation shall be given the opportunity for a hearing to show cause why the Department should lift the summary suspension.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <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="(3)">
      <text>Show Cause Hearing Procedures. 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="(4)">
      <text>Results of a Show Cause Hearing. 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="(5)">
      <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 consistent with Regulation .25 of this chapter.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>