<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".08" citation="COMAR 12.01.01.08" title_num="12" subtitle_num="01" chapter_num="01" heading="Hearing Procedures.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Request for Hearing.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The Board may schedule a hearing if:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The Board is unable to arrive at a decision based on the examination and memorandum; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>There is a dispute of a fact uncovered in the Board’s examination.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The claimant may request a hearing if dissatisfied with the Board’s proposed findings of fact, conclusions of law, or orders. The claimant shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Initiate the request for a hearing within 15 days of receiving the written notice of the Board's decision;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Make the request for a hearing in writing; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Provide information which the claimant considers appropriate to justify a hearing.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Notice of Hearing.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>If the Board schedules a hearing, the Board shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Notify, in writing, all persons involved in the claim of the decision to conduct a hearing;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Include in the notification the time, place, and purpose of the hearing; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Make notification to the claimant by U.S. mail not less than 30 days before the date of the hearing, unless the notice is waived by the claimant.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Notice shall be in accordance with State Government Article, §10-218 Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Conduct of Hearings.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Hearings are conducted in accordance with State Government Article, Title 10, Subtitle 2, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A claimant has the burden of proof and shall be:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Present at the hearing, unless the Board, based on good cause, approves alternative arrangements; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Provided with a reasonable opportunity to:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Present witnesses;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Testify;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Cross-examine witnesses;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iv)">
          <text>File briefs; or</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(v)">
          <text>Obtain statements or depositions.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Testimony relating to wages, income, other sources of revenue, and dependency shall be corroborated by supporting documents which may include:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>W-2 forms;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Income tax returns;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Child support agreements; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Other evidence considered relevant by the Board.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>The Board may accept hospital records and reports and physicians' reports as proof of the injury sustained without requiring the presence of the attending physician at the hearing.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>The Board may receive as evidence a statement, document, information, or matter that it finds relevant and which affords the parties a fair hearing.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>A hearing shall be conducted in an orderly manner to safeguard the rights of the parties.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>A person testifying:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Shall testify under oath or by affirmation; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Is subject to penalties for perjury.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(8)">
      <text>The Board shall record the proceedings.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(9)">
      <text>The Board may question the claimant and witnesses.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(10)">
      <text>If a claimant fails to appear at the time and place of the scheduled hearing, the Board may:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Dismiss the claim; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Reschedule the hearing.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(11)">
      <text>Hearings are open to the public except in the following instances:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Prosecution against the alleged perpetrator of the crime is pending and no trial has been held;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The welfare and interest of the victim or dependents may be adversely affected in violation of the right to be treated with dignity, respect, and sensitivity;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Prosecution has resulted in an acquittal or a dismissal of the underlying criminal charges based on technical grounds; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Upon written request by the claimant submitted at least 5 days before the scheduled hearing.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(12)">
      <text>The Board may request further examination of the claim before making a decision.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(13)">
      <text>At the request of a claimant the Board may re-open a claim previously dismissed under §C(10)(a) of this regulation based on good cause.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Subpoenas and Depositions.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The Board may issue a subpoena and a subpoena duces tecum on its own motion or upon written request from the claimant.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A request by the claimant shall be submitted not later than 20 days before the hearing and shall include:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>A statement explaining the necessity for the subpoena;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The names and addresses of witnesses; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>The location of documents or other evidence relating to the claim.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The Board may waive the 20-day provision in §D(2) of this regulation.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>If a claimant requests the subpoena, the cost of service, witness, and mileage, at the Board’s discretion, is the responsibility of the claimant.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>