<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".05" citation="COMAR 19A.01.03.05" title_num="19A" subtitle_num="01" chapter_num="03" heading="Preliminary Staff Investigation and Review.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Complaints issued by the Commission or filed and accepted by the Commission pursuant to Regulation .04 of this chapter shall be referred to the staff counsel.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Collection of Evidence.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The staff counsel shall collect evidence relating to the allegations of the complaint.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Evidence may be collected by personal interview, interrogatory, deposition, review of documents, or any other usual investigatory method.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>In the collection of evidence pursuant to this section, the subpoena power of Regulation .01C(1) of this chapter may be relied upon to compel the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of books, papers, records, documents, or other tangible objects.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Notification and Respondent Action.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The staff counsel shall notify the complainant and the respondent of the anticipated presentation of the evidence to the Commission at least 15 days before presenting the evidence to the Commission.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The respondent may take action to cure all alleged violations within 15 days of receipt of the notification provided in accordance with §C(1) of this regulation, and advise the staff counsel of this action.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>In response to the notification of §C(1) of this regulation, the respondent may also submit materials or other proposed resolution for consideration by or negotiation with the staff counsel.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Staff Counsel Preliminary Report.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The staff counsel shall provide the Commission with a preliminary report including all evidence collected relating to the allegations of the complaint.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The preliminary report to the Commission shall include any evidence of cure action taken by the respondent, any resolution of the complaint proposed by the respondent, and any other agreement or proposed resolution of the complaint agreed to by respondent and staff counsel.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The preliminary report may include a recommended disposition.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>A proposed disposition or proposed resolution agreed to by staff counsel and the respondent is a recommendation only, and may not be binding on the Commission.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>