<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".03" citation="COMAR 19A.01.03.03" title_num="19A" subtitle_num="01" chapter_num="03" heading="Preliminary Inquiry.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>The Commission may consider as a preliminary inquiry any matter that:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Arises from any source, including the consideration of an advisory opinion;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Involves past or ongoing conduct; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Presents a possible violation of General Provisions Article, Title 5, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>The staff counsel shall, upon the direction of the Commission:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Collect and review information pertaining to a preliminary inquiry; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Present this information to the Commission for its consideration.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>The Commission may close a preliminary inquiry without issuing a complaint if the Commission determines that:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The matter is not within the jurisdiction of the Commission;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The information presented does not support the filing of a complaint; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Based on all the circumstances presented, further enforcement proceedings would not serve the purposes of General Provisions Article, Title 5, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>A preliminary inquiry may also be closed by:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Docketing the matter for consideration as an advisory opinion pursuant to COMAR 19A.01.02;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Letter or other informal advice; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Other resolution agreed to by the subject.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>