<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".09" citation="COMAR 10.21.01.09" title_num="10" subtitle_num="21" chapter_num="01" heading="Conduct of IVA Hearings.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Powers and Duties of ALJ. An ALJ from the OAH shall conduct a hearing at the inpatient facility according to the rules of procedure outlined in COMAR 28.02.01.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Location. Unless the ALJ, for good cause, relocates a hearing, the hearing shall take place in the inpatient facility where the individual is confined, and the inpatient facility shall provide a room that:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>During the hearing, is used for no other purpose;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Has sufficient space and adequate and appropriate furnishings to accommodate the ALJ, the parties, and any others participating in the hearing; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Includes a speaker telephone that is adequate for the purpose of taking testimony by telephone.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Rights of Parties.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>At a hearing, the parties have the right to:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Be represented by counsel;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Present witnesses;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Cross-examine witnesses presented by the other party;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Present documentary or other relevant evidence;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Submit rebuttal evidence; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(f)">
        <text>Present summation and argument.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>In addition, an individual has the right to:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Wear the individual's own clothes; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Be present or waive the right to be present, if the waiver is:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Knowingly and intelligently made;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Witnessed by the individual's counsel; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Witnessed by the ALJ.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Record of Hearing.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The ALJ shall make and maintain a record of the hearing, and the record shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Be an audio recording of the oral proceedings before the ALJ;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Include a full description of the documentary evidence submitted at the hearing, but may not include the physical evidence itself;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Be maintained for a period of 3 years following the hearing; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Upon request, be made available to a party to the hearing or to a party's counsel or authorized representative to listen to the record.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Upon request by a party to the hearing, the OAH shall transcribe the record, and the record shall be:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Paid for by the requesting party in accordance with the charges established in State Government Article, §10-621, Annotated Code of Maryland, and COMAR 10.01.08.14; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Provided without cost to an individual who:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Has filed an appeal in proper person; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Is indigent.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Testimony.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The ALJ shall require the inpatient facility to provide for the testimony of one of the following, who has personally examined the individual within 48 hours before the hearing:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>A psychiatrist;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>A physician in an accredited residency program in psychiatry if the physician in the residency program in psychiatry is under the supervision of the psychiatrist who is responsible for the treatment of the individual who is the subject of the hearing; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>A psychologist.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Unless the inpatient facility demonstrates exceptional and compelling circumstances, the ALJ shall require the examining psychiatrist, physician in the residency program in psychiatry identified under §E(1)(b) of this regulation, or psychologist, to testify in person at the hearing.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>If the ALJ determines that a certifying physician or, psychologist, has not submitted adequate information with the certificate and that additional testimony from the certifying physician or, psychologist, may materially assist the ALJ to make an informed decision, the ALJ may;</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Require the certifying physician or, psychologist, to attend and testify at the hearing; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Receive the testimony of the certifying physician or, psychologist, by telephone.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>Burden of Proof. The burden of proof is on the inpatient facility to demonstrate by clear and convincing evidence that:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The individual has a mental disorder;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The individual needs inpatient care or treatment;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The individual presents a danger to the life or safety of the individual or of others;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>The individual is unable or unwilling to be admitted voluntarily;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>There is no available, less restrictive form of intervention that is consistent with the welfare and safety of the individual; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>If the individual is 65 years old or older and is being referred for admission to a State inpatient facility or VA hospital, a GES team has determined that there is no available, less restrictive form of care or treatment that is adequate for the needs of the individual.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>Findings and Conclusions. After the evidence and testimony are presented, and following summation and argument by the parties, the ALJ shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Consider all evidence and testimony of record;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Rule on issues raised by the individual that relate to the process by which the:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Individual was taken into and confined during observation status;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Individual's admission status was changed according to the provisions of Regulation .08B of this chapter; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Individual is presented for a semiannual hearing under the provisions of Regulation .08C of this chapter;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Order the release of the individual from the inpatient facility if:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>An error in the process occurred;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The error in the process is substantial; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>No other available remedy is consistent with due process and the protection of the individual's rights;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Order the release of the individual from the inpatient facility unless the inpatient facility meets the burden of proof outlined in §F of this regulation;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>State on the record the:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Findings, including whether the individual waived the right to attend the hearing;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Conclusions of law on any relevant issue presented;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Right of the individual to appeal the decision of the ALJ pursuant to State Government Article, §§10-215 and 10-216, Annotated Code of Maryland, and the procedure for requesting an appeal; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Right of the individual to seek judicial release from the inpatient facility pursuant to the provisions of Health-General Article, §§10-804 and 10-805, Annotated Code of Maryland; and</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>Give to the individual a written decision which shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Be on the form provided by the OAH;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Include the conclusions and the rights enumerated under §G(5) of this regulation;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>State whether the inpatient facility has proven that the individual meets each of the requirements for IVA outlined in Health-General Article, §10-617, Annotated Code of Maryland, and §F of this regulation; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>By copy, be:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Given to the presenter;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Filed in the individual's medical record; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>If the individual is a minor, given to the individual's parent or guardian if the parent or guardian is present at the hearing.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>