Proposed Text
3VAC5-10-220. Informal conferences.
A. An informal conference will be conducted when an applicant for a license or a licensee who is the subject of a disciplinary proceeding does not waive its right to such a conference. A waiver may be verbal or in writing. Unless the parties are advised otherwise, the agency will automatically waive the informal conference when the applicant or licensee does so. When the applicant or licensee is offered an informal conference and fails to respond within 10 calendar days after the date of such offer, the informal conference will be deemed to be waived.
B. The informal conference will be conducted for the reasons
set forth in § 9-6.14:11 § 2.2-4019 of the Code of
Virginia ; however, inasmuch as the Code of Virginia continues to
require that license suspension or revocation be preceded by a formal hearing
(see § 4.1-227 of the Code of Virginia),. the The informal
conference may not be used for purposes of agreement fixing a period of
suspension or license revocation, although an offer of settlement shall be
received for board consideration. The informal conference will
serve as a vehicle to acquaint the interested party, in a general way, with the
nature of the charges or objections, the evidence in support thereof and to
hear any matters relevant thereto presented by the interested parties and to
explore whether (i) administrative proceedings or objections should be
terminated or (ii) the case should proceed to formal hearing and stipulations
can be reached. The conference will be open to the public, but participation
will be limited to the interested parties, their attorneys-at-law or other
qualified representatives, and designated board representatives. The conference
will be held, when practical, at the county or city in which the establishment
of the applicant or licensee is located. Reasonable notice of administrative
charges or objections and the date, time and place of the conference shall be
given to the participants. The failure of the applicant or licensee to appear
at a scheduled conference will be deemed a waiver of the informal conference.
The informal proceeding will not be recorded. Sworn testimony will not be taken,
nor will subpoenas be issued. At the conclusion of the informal
conference, the designated board representative will complete a disposition
form to be included in the case file or will announce the results at the
beginning of the formal hearing to be included in the record. Any
initial decision will include a summary of the informal conference.