<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".19" citation="COMAR 10.19.03.19" title_num="10" subtitle_num="19" chapter_num="03" heading="Hearings, Enforcement, and Disciplinary Sanctions.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Authority for Enforcement Proceeding.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A hearing may be ordered or granted by the Secretary, at the Secretary’s discretion, to permit any person against whom criminal or civil action is contemplated under the Controlled Dangerous Substances Act an opportunity to present the individual’s views and the individual’s proposals for bringing the individual’s alleged violations into compliance with the law. The hearing will also permit the individual to show cause why prosecution should not be instituted, or to present the individual’s views on the contemplated proceeding.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The rules of procedure for hearings before the Secretary of the Maryland Department of Health shall be governed by COMAR 10.01.03 and State Government Article, §§10-201—10-226, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Administrative Hearings. Procedures for administrative hearings shall be governed by the rules set forth in Criminal Law Article, §5-308, if applicable, Health-General Article, §2-207, and State Government Article, §§10-201—10-226, Annotated Code of Maryland, and COMAR 10.01.03.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>After a hearing pursuant to Criminal Law Article, §5-308, if applicable, and State Government Article, §§10-201—10-226, Annotated Code of Maryland, and COMAR 10.01.03, the Secretary may impose a sanction or penalty against any registrant that possesses a Maryland-issued controlled substances registration pursuant to Criminal Law Article, Title V, Annotated Code of Maryland, instead of or in addition to:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The denial of an application;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The refusal to renew a registration;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Suspending a registration;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Revoking a registration;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Placing restrictions on a registration pursuant to Criminal Law Article, §5-307, Annotated Code of Maryland; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>Issuing a nonpublic advisory letter.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Imposition of Monetary Penalty.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>After a hearing pursuant to Criminal Law Article, §5-308, Annotated Code of Maryland, the Department may impose a monetary penalty against a controlled substance registration holder pursuant to Criminal Law Article, §5-908, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The monetary penalty may be imposed instead of or in addition to the:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Suspension of the controlled substances registration;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Revocation of the controlled substances registration; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Restrictions placed on the controlled substances registration.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The monetary penalty shall be paid within 30 calendar days of the order, unless the order specifies otherwise.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Until the imposed fine is paid, the registration may not be:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Restored;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Reinstated; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Renewed.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>In its discretion, the Department may refer all cases of delinquent payment to the Central Collection Unit of the Department of Budget and Management for collection.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Notwithstanding the guidelines set forth in this chapter, in order to resolve a pending disciplinary action, the Department and the registrant may agree to a surrender of a registration, or a consent order with terms, sanction, and penalties agreed to by the Department and the registrant.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Nothing in this chapter prohibits the Department from staying any period of non-active suspension.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>