Plain Text Law

Chapter 08. Petition for Declaratory Ruling

Regulation .01 Definitions.Copy Citation

A.
The following terms have the meanings indicated.
B.
Terms Defined.
(1)
“Board” means the Board of Nursing.
(2)
“Person” means an individual, an agency, an association, a corporation, or any other entity.

Regulation .02 Petition.Copy Citation

A.
An interested person may file with the Board a petition for a declaratory ruling with respect to the manner in which the Board would apply:
(1)
A statute;
(2)
A regulation; or
(3)
An order which the Board enforces to a particular case based on the facts presented in the petition.
B.
The Board may delegate responsibility for consideration of the petition.
C.
Petition for Declaratory Ruling.
(1)
The petition for a declaratory ruling shall be filed in writing.
(2)
The petition shall contain a statement describing in detail: interest of the petitioner in making:
(a)
The interest of the petitioner in making the request;
(b)
The issue involved;
(c)
A statement of the facts; and
(d)
A list of relevant documents or statements, or both, to be considered.
(3)
The Board may require an affidavit from the petitioner that the facts contained in the petition are true to the best of the person's knowledge and belief.
D.
Granting of Petition.
(1)
Not later than 60 days from receipt of the petition the Board shall inform the petitioner whether the petition will be considered.
(2)
If the Board decides not to consider the petition, the Board shall inform the petitioner in writing of the reasons for denial.

Regulation .03 Consideration and Disposition.Copy Citation

A.
In rendering its ruling the Board or its designee:
(1)
Shall consider all materials submitted with the petition;
(2)
May consider any document, data, or other relevant material;
(3)
May consult individuals;
(4)
May consider comments from the staff; or
(5)
May require argument of the question or permit the introduction of evidence.
B.
Disposition.
(1)
A declaratory ruling issued shall be in writing, stating the:
(a)
Question;
(b)
Decision;
(c)
Description of factors considered; and
(d)
Sources relied upon.
(2)
A declaratory ruling issued by the Board shall plainly state that it is a declaratory ruling pursuant to these regulations.
(3)
A written answer from the Board or any employee of the Board to an inquiry may not be construed as a declaratory ruling unless made in conformity with these regulations.
C.
Publication and Inspection.
(1)
The Board shall keep a record of each declaratory ruling issued.
(2)
The Board may publish declaratory rulings of general interest subject to the mandates of the Public Information Act, State Government Article, §10-601 et seq., Annotated Code of Maryland, and allow inspection of the declaratory rulings subject to the Public Information Act.
D.
The Board may refuse to consider a petition if the:
(1)
Request contains incomplete information upon which to base an informed declaratory ruling;
(2)
Board or its designee concludes that a declaratory ruling cannot reasonably be given on the matter;
(3)
Matter is adequately covered by a prior:
(a)
Regulation;
(b)
Declaratory ruling;
(c)
Decision;
(d)
Legal opinion; or
(4)
The Board or its designee concludes that a ruling would not be in the public interest.

Regulation .04 Effect, Revision, and Appeal.Copy Citation

A.
Effect. A declaratory ruling shall be binding upon the Board and the petitioner on the statement of facts covered in the declaratory ruling and set forth in the petition.
B.
Revision.
(1)
The petitioner's application for revision of the declaratory ruling shall:
(a)
Be filed within 10 days after the issuance of the declaratory ruling; and
(b)
State the grounds for the revision;
(2)
Upon receipt of the application, the Board may:
(a)
Open the declaratory ruling to receive additional information;
(b)
Amend its ruling or its statement or reasons for the ruling;
(c)
Set forth additional findings or reasons;
(d)
Enter new findings, new reasons, or a new ruling.
(3)
The Board shall grant or deny the application within 90 days of its submission.
(4)
The Board may exercise revisory power and control over the declaratory ruling in the case of fraud, mistake, or irregularity.
C.
Appeal. A declaratory ruling is subject to review as provided in State Government Article, §10-305, Annotated Code of Maryland.
Chapter annotations
Authority: State Government Article, §§10-301 — 10-305, Annotated Code of Maryland
History: Effective date: February 22, 1988 (15:4 Md. R. 474)
History: Regulation .02 amended effective April 16, 2001 (28:7 Md. R. 690)
History: Regulation .03 amended effective April 16, 2001 (28:7 Md. R. 690)
History: Regulation .04 amended effective April 16, 2001 (28:7 Md. R. 690)