<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".12" citation="COMAR 13A.11.04.12" title_num="13A" subtitle_num="11" chapter_num="04" heading="Resignation, Extended Illness, and Suspension and Termination of Licenses.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Resignation.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Notice.</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>When a vendor resigns from a vending facility or the program, the vendor shall give the Division written notice at least 90 calendar days in advance of the effective date of resignation unless the vendor is reassigned to another vending facility.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The Division may waive this requirement in an emergency.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>If a vendor fails to comply with this requirement, the Division may terminate the vendor’s license and the vendor shall be disqualified from reapplying for a license for 2 years.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>When a vendor resigns from the program, the Division shall terminate the vendor's license.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Extended Illness.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>If a vendor has an extended illness, as defined in the Administrative Manual, the vendor or the vendor's representative may, subject to §B(3) of this regulation:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Continue to operate the vending facility and receive the net proceeds from the facility less the cost for substitute personnel; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Terminate the Operating Agreement and relinquish the vending facility.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>If the vendor terminates the Operating Agreement, the vendor may not accrue additional seniority after the vending facility is relinquished.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>If the illness continues beyond 1 year with a medically documented diagnosis of prolonged incapacity of the vendor to operate a vending facility, the Division may terminate the vendor's Operating Agreement or license.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Probation and Suspension and Termination of Licenses.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Grounds for Probation. The Division may place a licensed vendor on probation for:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Not maintaining the vending facility according to established health standards and for scoring below average on two consecutive health inspections; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Not meeting the requirements set forth in a mutually agreed upon corrective action plan between the vendor and the Division for vendor or facility improvement, or both.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Grounds for Suspension. The Division may suspend a vendor's license when the Division finds that the vendor has:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Repeatedly violated the requirements of COMAR Title 10 or the current U.S. Public Health Service Food Code which endangers the health or public safety of consumers and employees;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Failed to comply with the terms of the permit or contract; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Failed to abide by the terms of the Operating Agreement.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Grounds for Termination. The Division may terminate a vendor's license when the Division finds that the vendor has:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Possessed alcohol or an illegal substance on the vending facility;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Operated the vending facility while under the influence of alcohol or an illegal substance;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Abandoned a vending facility;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Regained vision to the extent that the vendor is no longer a blind person;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Failed to operate the vending facility in compliance with:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>This chapter;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>The terms and conditions of the permit or contract with the property managing agency;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>The terms and conditions of the Operating Agreement; or</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iv)">
          <text>The sanitation requirements of COMAR Title 10 or the current U.S. Public Health Service Food Code;</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(f)">
        <text>Received a license from another state to operate a vending facility; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(g)">
        <text>Exceeded the time period for obtaining an Operating Agreement as described in the Administrative Manual, Section 3.A.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Procedures for Probation.</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The Division shall give the vendor written notice of probation.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The written notice shall state the:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Reason or reasons for the probation;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Date on which the probation period begins; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Corrective action that the vendor shall successfully complete during the 6-month probation period.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>The notice shall be personally delivered to the vendor by Program personnel, or mailed to the vendor's last known address by certified mail, return receipt requested.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>A vendor who does not successfully complete the corrective action for two consecutive probation periods shall be terminated from the Program.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Procedures for Suspension or Termination.</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The Division shall give the vendor written notice of the suspension or termination of the license.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The written notice shall state the:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Reason or reasons for the suspension or termination;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Length of the suspension, if applicable;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Corrective action required to rescind the suspension, if applicable; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iv)">
          <text>Vendor's right to request review of the suspension or termination in accordance with Regulation .13 of this chapter.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>The notice shall be personally delivered to the vendor by Program personnel, or mailed to the vendor's last known address by certified mail, return receipt requested.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>The suspension or termination shall take effect 15 days after the vendor's receipt of the notice unless, before the effective date, the vendor has:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Taken the corrective action specified in the suspension or termination notice; or</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Requested review of the suspension or termination in accordance with Regulation .13 of this chapter.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>Operation of the Facility. During the period of a suspension or revocation, the Division shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Operate the vending facility;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Pay all facility obligations associated with the operation out of facility proceeds; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Pay the vendor net proceeds from the operation of the facility less operating costs, and less outstanding debts to the Division, suppliers, and State and federal agencies.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Temporary Removal.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The Division may remove a vendor temporarily from a vending facility in advance of a hearing only under emergency conditions.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The Division shall give the vendor written notice of the temporary removal personally or by certified mail, return receipt requested, stating the reasons for the action and the vendor’s right to appeal the action.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The temporary removal shall be effective immediately after receipt of the notice by the vendor.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>The vendor’s license and the Operating Agreement shall remain in effect during the period of the temporary removal.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>If the vendor appeals the action, the vendor shall continue to receive the net proceeds from the vending facility less the cost of substitute personnel until the final decision, resulting from the full evidentiary hearing, issued pursuant to Regulation .13B(12) of this chapter.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>