<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".21" citation="COMAR 10.15.04.21" title_num="10" subtitle_num="15" chapter_num="04" heading="Enforcement.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>The approving authority shall ensure that when a food processing plant is found in violation of any provision of this chapter, the licensee is notified:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Of the specific:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Findings; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Date by which the licensee shall correct the violations or deficiencies; and</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>That, if the licensee fails to correct the violation by the date specified, the approving authority may suspend or revoke the license.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>When a person is violating any provision of this chapter, the approving authority may serve the person with a written order pursuant to Health-General Article, §21-261 or 21-318, Annotated Code of Maryland, directing the person to abate the violation within a specified time period.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>The approving authority shall ensure that an opportunity for a hearing is provided to a person served with an order, pursuant to State Government Article, Title 10, Subtitle 2, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>In order to preserve a right to a hearing under any provision of this regulation, a person shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Make a request for a hearing in writing; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Submit the request to the approving authority that issued the order or inspection report:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Within 10 days of receipt of the order;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Sooner if specified in the order; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Within 24 hours if the violation requires immediate correction or correction within 24 hours.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>The approving authority shall suspend or revoke the license of a food processing plant if the licensee fails or neglects to:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Correct a:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Violation within the specified time period; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Violation of a critical item immediately; or</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Comply with an approved written schedule of compliance.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>The approving authority shall ensure that:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>An action to suspend or revoke a license, complies with the provisions of:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>State Government Article, Title 10, Subtitle 2, Annotated Code of Maryland; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Health-General Article, §21-315, Annotated Code of Maryland; and</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The person against whom the action is contemplated is given an opportunity for a hearing in accordance with Health-General Article, §21-316, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>When an immediate and substantial danger is found to exist to public health, safety, or welfare that imperatively requires emergency action, pursuant to State Government Article, §10- 226(c)(2), Annotated Code of Maryland, the:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Approving authority shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Summarily suspend the license at the food processing plant;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Order the food processing plant to cease operation immediately; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Promptly provide the licensee with:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>A written notice of suspension of the license;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>The reasons for the suspension; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Instructions on requesting an administrative hearing if desired; and</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Person-in-charge shall immediately cease the operation of the food processing plant.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="H.">
    <text>The person-in-charge shall ensure that a food processing plant that has been required under the provisions of this regulation to cease operations does not resume operations until a reinspection by the approving authority shows that the condition or conditions responsible for the requirement to cease operations no longer exist.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="I.">
    <text>The approving authority shall confirm that appropriate steps are taken to ensure that the licensee ceases operation of the food processing plant on suspension or revocation of the license, including:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Taking and keeping physical possession of the license until the license is reinstated; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Posting a sign on the facility door stating that the license has been suspended or revoked by the approving authority.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="J.">
    <text>A person whose food processing plant license has been suspended or revoked may apply for reinspection and reinstatement of the license by submitting to the approving authority a written request that details the actions taken by the person to correct each violation of a food statute or regulation that caused the suspension or revocation.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>