<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".15" citation="COMAR 26.06.01.15" title_num="26" subtitle_num="06" chapter_num="01" heading="Denials, Reprimands, Suspensions, and Revocations.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Grounds for Board Action.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Denials. Subject to the hearing provisions of §B of this regulation, the Board may deny certification, limited certification, or temporary certification to any applicant if the applicant fraudulently or deceptively:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Obtains or attempts to obtain a certificate, limited certificate, or temporary certificate for the applicant or for another person; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Uses a certificate, limited certificate, or temporary certificate.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Reprimands, Suspensions, and Revocations. Subject to the hearing provisions of §B of this regulation, the Board may reprimand any certificate holder, or suspend or revoke a certification for either of the following:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>If the certificate holder fraudulently or deceptively:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Obtains or attempts to obtain a certificate, limited certificate, or temporary certificate for the applicant or for another,</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Uses a certificate, limited certificate, or temporary certificate;</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Other reasonable cause, such as:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Professional incompetency;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Falsification of records;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Failure to submit required self-monitoring documents;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iv)">
          <text>Negligence in operation and maintenance of the works.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Right to a Hearing.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Before the Board revokes or suspends a certificate or reprimands a certificate holder, it shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Notify the certificate holder in writing by certified mail to his last known address that it is considering action for reasons stated in the notice;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Request the certificate holder to appear at a hearing of the Board of Waterworks and Waste Systems Operators at a designated time and place to show cause why the certificate should not be revoked or suspended or the certificate holder reprimanded.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The form of the notice and the hearing shall conform to the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act, State Government Article, Title 10, Subtitle 2, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Ex Parte Hearing. If, after due notice, the individual against whom the action is contemplated fails or refuses to appear, the Board, nevertheless, may hear and determine the matter.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Effect of Adverse Finding by the Board.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>If, after the hearing by the Board, the certificate is revoked or suspended, the certificate holder shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Cease his or her activities as a certified operator or superintendent; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Return the certificate to the Board.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Until the notice of revocation or suspension is delivered to the last known address of the certificate holder, the certificate remains valid.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Voluntary surrender by the certificate holder of his certificate will constitute a waiver of the hearing before the Board.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Suspensions of certificates may not exceed 1 year or suspensions shall terminate when the certificate holder complies with all conditions stipulated by the Board at the time of suspension, whichever is later.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>After the expiration of 1 year following revocation of a certificate, the person previously holding the certificate may apply for a new certificate subject to a new examination and review by the Board.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Judicial Review.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A person aggrieved by a final decision of the Board under §D may take a direct judicial appeal.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The appeal shall be made as provided for judicial review of final decisions in the Administrative Procedure Act.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>