<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".06" citation="COMAR 14.37.02.06" title_num="14" subtitle_num="37" chapter_num="02" heading="Process Voluntary — Declining and Withdrawing Requests.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>The Ombudsman’s mediation process is voluntary for each party.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>If the applicant or custodian that is the subject of the request for dispute resolution declines to mediate the dispute, the Ombudsman shall, as soon as practicable, issue a final determination as provided in Regulation .11 of this chapter stating that the dispute was not resolved and indicating that mediation was declined.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Withdrawing a Request for Dispute Resolution.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A party requesting dispute resolution through the Ombudsman may withdraw the request.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>If a request for dispute resolution is withdrawn after the Office has opened a file, then the Ombudsman shall issue a final determination as provided in Regulation .11 of this chapter stating that the request for dispute resolution was withdrawn.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Renewing a Request for Dispute Resolution.</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>A party that has withdrawn a request for dispute resolution through the Ombudsman may renew the request one time.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>If a party renews the request for dispute resolution and withdraws that request again, the Ombudsman may decline to mediate a second or subsequent renewed request for dispute resolution.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>