<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".03" citation="COMAR 21.08.04.03" title_num="21" subtitle_num="08" chapter_num="04" heading="Decisions.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>The administrative law judge shall issue a proposed decision containing findings of fact and conclusions of law within 90 days after the hearing.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>The administrative law judge shall send the proposed decision, by certified mail, to the Attorney General and the persons subject to debarment and shall notify these parties that oral argument may be requested before the Board by any party adversely affected by the proposed decision.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Within 15 days after receipt of the proposed decision, a party adversely affected by the proposed decision may file written exceptions to the proposed decision and may request oral argument before the Board as follows:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A party that files written exceptions to the proposed decision or requests oral argument before the Board shall include in the exceptions or request precise references to those sections of the record that the party wishes the Board to review.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>References to the record, other than any transcript of testimony, shall be indicated as “R . . . ”, and references to any transcript of testimony as contained in the record shall be indicated as “T . . . ”.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>If a party fails to provide the references specified in §C(2) of this regulation, the Board may dismiss any request for oral argument and may base its review of the proposed decision on whatever portion of the record it considers appropriate.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>If oral argument is not requested, the Board shall issue its final decision within a reasonable time.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>If oral argument is requested, the Board shall notify the parties of the date, time, and place for the argument, which shall be held within a reasonable time of the receipt of a request for the oral argument.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>The Board shall issue a final decision, copies of which shall be mailed to all parties, by certified mail, within a reasonable time after the oral argument.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>In its final decision, the Board shall notify the person that the person is:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Debarred, specifying:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The reasons for debarment,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The nature of the debarment sanctions applied, and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>The period of debarment; or</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Not debarred and that any suspension has been terminated as of the date of the Board's decision.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="H.">
    <text>All final decisions issued by the Board shall include findings of fact and conclusions of law in accordance with State Government Article, §10-221, Annotated Code of Maryland, which may incorporate by reference or be adopted from the proposed decision of the administrative law judge.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>