A complainant may appeal to the Office of Administrative Hearings in accordance with State Personnel and Pensions Article, §5-310, Annotated Code of Maryland. A request for a hearing shall be in writing and signed by the individual requesting a hearing. The Office of Administrative Hearings shall hold the hearing and shall issue the final administrative decision. Any hearing conducted shall be held in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, State Government Article, Title 10, Subtitle 2, Annotated Code of Maryland, and State Personnel and Pensions Article, §5-310, Annotated Code of Maryland. The complainant shall bear the burden of proof. The Office of Administrative Hearings may not remand a whistleblower complaint to the Secretary for investigation. The Office of Administrative Hearings may not hold a hearing on the merits of an employee's appeal until all preliminary jurisdictional issues are resolved.