<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<chapter num="04" heading="Petition for Declaratory Ruling" title_num="16" subtitle_num="01">
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".01" heading="Petition Authorized.">
    <text>Any interested person may petition the Department for a declaratory ruling on the manner in which the Department would apply any of the following to a person or property on the facts set forth in the petition:</text>
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>A regulation of the Department;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>An order of the Department; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="C.">
      <text>A law that the Department enforces.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".02" heading="Form, Contents, and Verification.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>Form. The petition shall be:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>In writing; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>Filed with the Secretary.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>Contents. The petition shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>Contain the petitioner's name, address, and telephone number;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>Contain a detailed statement of the facts underlying the questioned applicability of the stated regulation, order, or law; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>Pose the question of whether or in what manner the stated regulation, order, or law applies to the facts contained in the petition.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="C.">
      <text>Verification. The petition shall also contain a statement by the petitioner, under oath, that the facts set forth in the petition are true to the best of the petitioner's knowledge, information, and belief.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".03" heading="Action by Secretary.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>Notice of Receipt. On receipt of a petition, the Secretary shall promptly mail the petitioner a notice of filing, indicating the date the petition was received.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>Consideration and Disposition. Within 60 days after the petition is submitted, the Secretary shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>Consider the petition; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>Either:</text>
        <paragraph num="(a)">
          <text>Issue a written declaratory ruling as requested; or</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(b)">
          <text>Notify the petitioner in writing of the reasons for not issuing a declaratory ruling.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".04" heading="Effect of Ruling.">
    <text>If the Secretary issues a declaratory ruling, that ruling binds the Department and the petitioner on the facts set forth in the petition.</text>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".05" heading="Judicial Review.">
    <text>A declaratory ruling issued under this chapter is subject to judicial review in the same manner that State Government Article, Title 10, Subtitle 2, Annotated Code of Maryland, provides for review of a contested case.</text>
  </regulation>
  <annotations>
    <annotation type="Authority">Human Services Article, §9-204; State Government Article, §§10-304 and 10-305; Annotated Code of Maryland</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Effective date: June 18, 2007 (34:12 Md. R. 1067)</annotation>
  </annotations>
</chapter>