<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".11" citation="COMAR 14.03.05.11" title_num="14" subtitle_num="03" chapter_num="05" heading="Conciliation Process.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Upon a written finding of probable cause, the Commission, the complainant, and the respondent shall enter the conciliation process.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Written notice of the opportunity to conciliate shall be provided to the parties.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Termination of Conciliation Efforts—Respondent's Actions.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The Commission may terminate its efforts to conciliate if a respondent fails or refuses to:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Confer with Commission staff; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Negotiate in good faith to resolve the dispute.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>If the prerequisites listed in §C(1) of this regulation are met, the Executive Director or designee may:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Terminate the efforts to conciliate;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Notify the parties that conciliation has failed; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Certify the case for public hearing as set forth in Regulation .13 of this chapter.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Termination of Conciliation Efforts—Complainant's Actions.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The Executive Director or designee may administratively close a case if the complainant:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Fails to negotiate in good faith; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Rejects an offer of settlement or compromise made by the respondent, in a formal offer of settlement, which provides the complainant with the full relief which is available under State Finance and Procurement Article, §§19-108(d) and 19-110, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Before administratively closing the case, the Executive Director or designee shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Provide written notice to the complainant;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Give the complainant 15 days after the mailing of the notice to object in writing and give reasons why the case should not be administratively closed;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Consider the objections filed by the complainant;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Administratively close the case, if no objections are filed; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Promptly notify both the complainant and the respondent of the determination.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Prohibitions and Requirements—Disclosure of Information Obtained During Conciliation.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Except as provided in §E(2) of this regulation, nothing that is said or done in the course of conciliation under this regulation shall be made public or used as evidence in a subsequent administrative hearing under State Finance and Procurement Article, §19-109, Annotated Code of Maryland, without written consent of the persons concerned or as otherwise permitted by law.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Conciliation agreements shall be made public unless:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The aggrieved person and respondent request nondisclosure; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The Commission determines that disclosure is not required to further the purposes of State Finance and Procurement Article, §§19-101—19-120, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Notwithstanding a determination that disclosure of a conciliation agreement is not required, the Commission may publish tabulated descriptions of the results of all conciliation efforts.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>Review of Compliance with Conciliation Agreement.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The Commission may review compliance with the terms of any conciliation agreement.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Whenever the Commission has reasonable cause to believe that a respondent has breached a conciliation agreement, the Commission general counsel may file a civil action for the enforcement of the terms of the conciliation agreement.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>Order of the Commission. An agreement resulting from conciliation shall be executed on behalf of the Commission by the Executive Director or designee and shall constitute a final order of the Commission as provided by law.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>