Scope. This regulation applies to an employee in the skilled and professional services. It does not apply to an employee under special appointment or an employee on initial probation. Consideration of Mitigating Evidence. Except for automatic terminations under State Personnel and Pensions Article, §11-105, Annotated Code of Maryland, the appointing authority, head of the principal unit, the Secretary, and the Office of Administrative Hearings shall consider mitigating circumstances when determining the appropriate discipline. The Office of Administrative Hearings may not change the discipline imposed by the appointing authority, as modified by the head of the principal unit or Secretary, unless the discipline imposed was clearly an abuse of discretion and clearly unreasonable under the circumstances.