<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".09" citation="COMAR 10.44.07.09" title_num="10" subtitle_num="44" chapter_num="07" heading="Investigation of Complaints.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>The Board's DRC shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Review complaints; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Make a recommendation to the Board as to the disposition of the complaint.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Participation in the Disciplinary Review Committee is not a basis for recusal of a Board member, Board counsel, or the administrative prosecutor from further proceedings in a complaint.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>If the Board votes to refer a matter to an investigator, to the extent practicable, the complaint shall be assigned to an investigator within 3 business days of the Board’s vote.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>An investigator shall provide periodic reports to the complainant or the complainant’s representative within the bounds of the Maryland Public Information Act or other applicable laws.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>To the extent practicable, an investigator shall strive to complete an initial investigative report within 180 days after a complaint is assigned.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>Factors that affect the length of time to complete an initial investigative report include but are not limited to:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The number of alleged violations included in the complaint;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The severity of the allegations in the complaint;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The number of additional violations that arise as a result of the investigation of the complaint;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>The complexity of the legal issues encountered during the investigation;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>The cooperation or lack thereof of the respondent, counsel, and witnesses;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>The availability of the investigator;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>Other investigative priorities;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(8)">
      <text>The necessity and availability of additional required documents or findings from other agencies or authorities including but not limited to:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Other governmental agencies or other regulatory agencies;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Hospitals;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>The courts; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Law enforcement agencies.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>An initial investigative report shall be presented to the Board within 90 days of its completion.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="H.">
    <text>The failure to meet the goal of completing an initial investigative report within 180 days or the presentation to the Board of an initial investigative report within 90 days of its completion may not:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Be raised as a defense by a respondent; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Be admissible by the respondent in any civil or administrative proceeding.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="I.">
    <text>An initial investigative report may also be a final investigative report.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="J.">
    <text>The Board shall advise the complainant or the complainant’s representative of the final disposition of a complaint within the bounds of the Maryland Public Information Act or other applicable laws.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="K.">
    <text>To the extent practicable, the Board shall mail copies of final orders to the respondent or to the respondent’s counsel within 15 days.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="L.">
    <text>If a complaint results in a final order against a respondent that is a public document under State Government Article, Title 10, Subtitle 6, Annotated Code of Maryland, the Board shall mail a copy of the final order to the complainant or the complainant’s representative within 15 days.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="M.">
    <text>At the conclusion of a case the Board shall make reasonable efforts to return original medical records in its possession to the appropriate health care provider within 45 days.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>