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<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".10" citation="COMAR 21.11.10.10" title_num="21" subtitle_num="11" chapter_num="10" heading="Rules of Procedure for Hearings.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>This regulation supplements the requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act, State Government Article, Title 10, Subtitle 2, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>The Commissioner of Labor and Industry may delegate the authority to conduct the hearing to the Office of Administrative Hearings.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>The administrative law judge may:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Administer oaths and affirmations;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Rule on procedural matters and offers of proof and receive relevant evidence;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Regulate the course of the hearing and the conduct of the parties and their counsel;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Examine any witness;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Compel the production of records, books, papers, and other evidence; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>Take any other appropriate action authorized by statute or regulation.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Hearing Procedure.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The administrative law judge shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Call the title of the case;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Explain briefly the purpose and nature of the hearing;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Recite any charges, complaints, or other matters involved; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Administer the oath to all persons who are summoned or who intend to testify.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Counsel or any party may be heard on any preliminary matter, exception, or motion, and any stipulation entered into by the parties shall be received.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The following exhibits shall be introduced:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>If the administrative law judge is the Commissioner of Labor and Industry's designee, a copy of the letter designating the administrative law judge to preside at the hearing;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>A copy of the order for hearing sent to each interested party entitled to receive notice pursuant to State Finance and Procurement Article, §18-107, Annotated Code of Maryland; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Information obtained by the Commissioner of Labor and Industry as a result of any investigation pursuant to State Finance and Procurement Article, §18-107, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>The assistant attorney general shall proceed first and shall present evidence of any investigation made by the Commissioner of Labor and Industry.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Subject to applicable statutes and rules governing the practice and procedure, each party or counsel representing a party may:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Call witnesses;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Offer evidence, including rebuttal evidence;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Cross-examine any witness that another party or the agency calls; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Present summation and argument.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Determination of Administrative Law Judge.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Within 7 days after the conclusion of the hearing, the administrative law judge shall issue a written proposed determination, which includes proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law, and the amount of restitution and liquidated damages to be assessed under State Finance and Procurement Article, §18-108, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The proposed determination or an accompanying letter shall notify the parties that they may file written exceptions with, and present arguments to, the Commissioner of Labor and Industry.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The administrative law judge shall serve, personally or by mail, a copy of the proposed determination on each party present or represented at the hearing.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>The proposed determination of the administrative law judge shall become the final order of the Commissioner of Labor and Industry unless exceptions are filed or the Commissioner orders review.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>Review.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Within 5 days from the postmark date of the proposed determination:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The Commissioner of Labor and Industry may order review; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>A party adversely affected by the proposed determination may request review in writing to the Commissioner.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A request for review shall contain a concise statement identifying each portion of the administrative law judge's proposed determination for which a review is requested.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>A request for review shall be mailed to all other parties to the proceeding.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>After review of the proceedings with or without a hearing, the Commissioner shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Issue an order based on findings of fact;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Affirm, modify, or vacate the proposed determination, or proposed penalty, or direct other appropriate relief; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Mail copies of the order to all affected parties.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>A party aggrieved by a final order of the Commissioner of Labor and Industry may obtain judicial review by filing a written petition with the appropriate circuit court within 30 days of issuance of the final order.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>