<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".13" citation="COMAR 36.10.02.13" title_num="36" subtitle_num="10" chapter_num="02" heading="Exemption or Waiver of License Requirement.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>General.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The Commission may grant an exemption from, or waiver of, a licensing requirement or grounds for denial of a license at the request of an applicant, if the Commission determines that the requirement or grounds for denial of a license as applied to the applicant are not necessary in order to protect the public interest or accomplish the policies established by State Government Article, Title 9, Subtitle 1E, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The Commission may grant an exemption from, or waiver of, a regulatory licensing requirement, so that an applicant or licensee is not:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Required to comply with a regulatory licensing requirement; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Subject to specific regulatory basis for denial of a license.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The Commission may delegate to staff its authority to grant an exemption from, or waiver of, a regulatory licensing requirement.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Process.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A person requesting an exemption or waiver under this regulation shall submit a written request in a format specified by the Commission.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A written request shall contain at least the following:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The COMAR section for the standard for which the applicant seeks the exemption or waiver;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Detailed facts in support of the request;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>An explanation of the unique circumstances justifying the request; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Any other information requested by staff or the Commission.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Upon receipt of an exemption or waiver request that fails to comply with §B(1) or (2) of this regulation, staff shall notify the requestor:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Of any deficiency; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>That the request will not be considered unless the identified deficiency is corrected.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Decision.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Upon receipt of a request that complies with §§A and B of this regulation, staff shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Submit the request to the Commission as soon as practicable; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>If the Commission has delegated to staff the authority to decide the request, make a decision on the request as soon as practicable.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>At any time before or after a waiver or exemption request has been granted, the Commission may:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Limit or place restrictions on the exemption or waiver as the Commission considers necessary in the public interest; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Require the applicant or licensee who is granted the exemption or waiver to:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Cooperate with the Commission; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Provide the Commission with any additional information required as a condition of the exemption or waiver.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>After the Commission or staff decides whether to grant or deny the request, staff shall notify the requestor of the decision.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>The decision of the Commission or staff regarding an exemption or waiver of a licensing requirement is final and not appealable.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>