<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".04" citation="COMAR 10.27.26.04" title_num="10" subtitle_num="27" chapter_num="26" heading="Aggravating and Mitigating Factors.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Depending on the facts and circumstances of each case, and to the extent that the facts and circumstances apply, the Board may consider aggravating and mitigating factors in determining whether the sanction in a particular case should fall outside the range of sanctions established by the sanctioning guidelines set forth in Regulation .07 of this chapter.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Aggravating factors include, but are not limited to:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A prior criminal or administrative discipline history;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Whether the violation was committed:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Deliberately</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>With gross negligence; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Recklessly;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Whether the violation has the potential for, or caused, serious harm;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Whether the violation was a part of a pattern of unacceptable conduct;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Whether the licensee or certificate holder pursued their own financial gain over another individual’s welfare;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>Whether the individual affected by the violation was vulnerable;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>Whether the licensee or certificate holder attempted to hide the error or misconduct from clients or others;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(8)">
      <text>Whether the licensee or certificate holder:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Concealed, falsified, or destroyed evidence; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Presented false testimony or evidence;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(9)">
      <text>Whether the licensee or certificate holder failed to cooperate with a lawful investigation conducted by the Board; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(10)">
      <text>Whether previous attempts to rehabilitate the licensee or certificate holder were unsuccessful.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Mitigating Factors include, but are not limited to:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Absence of a prior disciplinary record;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The length of time since any prior violation;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Whether the licensee or certificate holder self-reported to the Board;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Voluntary admission of misconduct with full disclosure to the Board and cooperation with the Board’s investigation;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Implementation of remedial measures to correct or mitigate harm arising from the misconduct;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>Timely good-faith efforts to make restitution or to rectify consequences of misconduct;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>Evidence of rehabilitation or rehabilitative potential;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(8)">
      <text>Absence of actual or potential harm;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(9)">
      <text>Absence of adverse impact; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(10)">
      <text>Whether the violation was an isolated incident and not likely to recur.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>The existence of one or more aggravating or mitigating factors does not impose any requirement on the Board to make findings of fact or to articulate its reason for not exercising its discretion to impose a sanction outside of the range of sanctions set forth in Regulation .07 of this chapter.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Nothing in this regulation requires the Board to make findings of fact with respect to the existence or nature of any aggravating or mitigating factor.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>