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<chapter num="05" heading="Senior Call-Check Service and Notification Program" title_num="32" subtitle_num="03">
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".01" heading="Purpose.">
    <text>The purpose of the Program is to offer a free, opt-in, telephonic service to check on eligible elderly Maryland residents at a regularly scheduled time each day. The Program may be provided by the Department through a private vendor, nonprofit organization, or other entity. The Program may also provide automated telephonic “notifications” in the form of public service announcements related to emergency conditions.  These notifications will be separate from the daily call process.</text>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".02" heading="Definitions.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>Terms Defined.</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>“Department” means the Maryland Department of Aging.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>“Program” means the Senior Call-Check Service and Notification Program.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>“Secretary” means the Secretary of Aging.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".03" heading="Eligibility.">
    <text>An individual is eligible to participate in the Program if the following conditions are met:</text>
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>The individual is a Maryland resident who is 65 years old or older who has a landline phone or a cell phone that does not block automated calls from the Program; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>The individual is capable of answering and appropriately responding to a daily phone call.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".04" heading="Application.">
    <text>In order to enroll in the Program, an individual shall submit a complete application on a form made available by the Department.</text>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".05" heading="Assessment of Application.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>Upon receipt of an enrollment application for the Program, the Department or an entity it has retained to administer the Program shall determine whether the applicant is eligible to participate in the Program.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>If an applicant is determined to be eligible for the Program, the applicant will be enrolled as a participant in the Program.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="C.">
      <text>Applicants whose applications are not complete or legible will be classified as not eligible.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="D.">
      <text>If the Department or an entity it has retained to administer the Program determines that an applicant is not eligible for the Program, and if the applicant has provided such applicant’s current name and address in a legible format, the Department will provide the applicant with a written notification of ineligibility. The notice shall include the following information:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>Decision;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>Reason for ineligibility;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>Specific regulation supporting the action;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(4)">
        <text>Applicant’s right to appeal the decision; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(5)">
        <text>Method for obtaining a hearing.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="E.">
      <text>If an applicant was determined to be ineligible because the applicant’s application was incomplete or illegible, the notification of ineligibility shall also inform the applicant that the applicant may apply again by submitting a new, complete, and legible application. An individual whose application is determined ineligible may appeal the determination of ineligibility to the Department in accordance with COMAR 32.01.01.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".06" heading="Revocation or Suspension of Participation.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>If Department determines that a participant is no longer eligible to participate in the Program, the Department shall provide the participant with a written notification of enrollment revocation at least 10 business days before the effective date of revocation.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>The Department may revoke or suspend a participant from the Program if the Department determines that a participant misused or abused the service provided by the Program or repeatedly failed to follow the Program’s protocols or other requirement, including any Program limitations or requirements specified in the application form supplied by the Department.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="C.">
      <text>If the Department determines to revoke or suspend a participant’s enrollment, the Department shall notify the participant in writing of the suspension or revocation. The notice shall include the following information:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>Decision;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>Reason for the suspension or revocation;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>Specific regulation supporting the action;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(4)">
        <text>Effective date of the suspension or revocation;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(5)">
        <text>Applicant’s right to appeal the decision; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(6)">
        <text>Method for obtaining a hearing.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="D.">
      <text>An individual whose enrollment is revoked or suspended may appeal the determination to the Department in accordance with COMAR 32.01.01.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".07" heading="Appeals.">
    <text>An appeal of any action taken by the Department or the Secretary under this chapter shall be conducted in accordance with COMAR 32.01.01 and the Administrative Procedure Act, State Government Article, Title 10, Subtitle 2, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
  </regulation>
  <annotations>
    <annotation type="Authority">State Finance and Procurement Article, §3A-702, Annotated Code of Maryland</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Effective date: September 7, 2020 (47:18 Md. R. 824)</annotation>
  </annotations>
</chapter>