<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".04" citation="COMAR 17.04.07.04" title_num="17" subtitle_num="04" chapter_num="07" heading="Transmittal of Appeal.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>The Office shall accept appeals forwarded by facsimile.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Electronic Transmittal.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Each employer shall have a designated email address which may be used to file appeals.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>An appeal submitted by email shall be considered properly filed only when received at the designated email address of the proper employer at the appropriate stage of the appeal process.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Each email transmittal may include only one appeal, with the exception of a single grievance filed by a group of employees, commonly referred to as a “group grievance”.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>The subject line of the email by which the appeal is transmitted shall include:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The first and last name of the employee whose appeal is being filed; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The grievance issue or type of disciplinary action being appealed.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>The employer will send an email response to each appeal filed via email, which may be automatic, acknowledging receipt of the appeal and including the information from the subject line of the email by which the appeal is filed.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>The documentation required by §C of this regulation, and any other documentation being filed with the appeal, must be included in a single attachment to the email in PDF format.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>The Office, or any employer addressing an appeal at any step of the process, may use the email address from which an appeal is filed to deliver any notices, decisions, or other correspondence associated with the appeal to the party or representative filing the appeal.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>The appeal shall be considered filed only when all of the information required by State Personnel and Pensions Article, §12-205, Annotated Code of Maryland, and COMAR 17.04.05 and 17.04.06 has been submitted.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>