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<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".04" citation="COMAR 12.03.02.04" title_num="12" subtitle_num="03" chapter_num="02" heading="Requesting and Processing an Inmate’s Request to Participate in the Religious Diet Program.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>An incarcerated individual seeking to participate in the RDP shall submit a completed Religious Diet Application Form to the facility chaplain, or a designee.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Upon receipt of a Religious Diet Application Form under §A of this regulation, the facility chaplain, or a designee, shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Meet with the incarcerated individual to:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Review with the incarcerated individual the requested RDP platform;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Review with the incarcerated individual the Religious Diet Agreement, specifically the violation and sanction section;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Inform the incarcerated individual that violation of RDP requirements may result in the incarcerated individual's involuntary suspension from the RDP independent of the incarcerated individual disciplinary process;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Inform the incarcerated individual that the incarcerated individual is required to reapply for participation in the RDP every 2 years;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Obtain information from the incarcerated individual concerning the incarcerated individual’s registered religious preference and the reasoning for the request to participate in the RDP; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(f)">
        <text>Discuss other applicable information used in connection with the RDP request;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Use information provided by the incarcerated individual in connection with the incarcerated individual’s records and other available documentation to determine if the incarcerated individual is a designated participant in a Department-recognized faith group that requires a diet that can only be satisfied by the RDP; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Use forms approved by the Chief of Religious Services to record:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Information obtained from the incarcerated individual; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>RDP information provided to the incarcerated individual.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>When processing an incarcerated individual's request to participate in the RDP, the facility chaplain, or a designee:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Shall complete a review of all forms and applicable information obtained in connection with the incarcerated individual's RDP application;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Shall, based on the available information concerning the application to participate in the RDP, determine if the incarcerated individual is eligible to participate in the RDP based on the incarcerated individual's recognized participation in a religious faith group listed under Regulation .03 of this chapter;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>May not deny an incarcerated individual’s application to participate in the RDP because the incarcerated individual is assigned to special confinement housing or a medical unit;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>May deny an incarcerated individual’s application to participate in the RDP because the incarcerated individual falsified information;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>May require additional information from the incarcerated individual to complete or supplement the incarcerated individual’s RDP application;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>Shall decide based on all information available and considered to approve or deny the incarcerated individual’s RDP application; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>Shall document the decision to approve or deny the incarcerated individual’s request to participate on the RDP application.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Upon completion of an incarcerated individual’s request to participate in the RDP, the facility chaplain or a designee shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>If a request for RDP participation is denied:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Meet with the incarcerated individual and provide the reason for the denial;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Record the date of the meeting to discuss the denial on the form approved by the Chief of Religious Services; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Ensure that the completed paperwork is forwarded to Case Management for inclusion in the incarcerated individual’s base file; or</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>If a request for RDP participation is approved:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Meet with the incarcerated individual to obtain the incarcerated individual’s signature on a Religious Diet Agreement Form;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Forward a copy of the incarcerated individual’s completed Religious Diet Agreement Form to the Correctional Food Services manager for the incarcerated individual’s facility; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Forward the completed paperwork to Case Management for inclusion in the incarcerated individual’s base file.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>