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245A.08 Hearings.

Subdivision 1. Receipt of appeal; conduct of hearing. Upon receiving a timely appeal or petition pursuant to section 245A.05, 245A.07, subdivision 3, or 245C.28, the commissioner shall issue a notice of and order for hearing to the appellant under chapter 14 and Minnesota Rules, parts 1400.8505 to 1400.8612.

Subd. 2. Conduct of hearings. At any hearing provided for by section 245A.05, 245A.07, subdivision 3, or 245C.28, the appellant may be represented by counsel and has the right to call, examine, and cross-examine witnesses. The administrative law judge may require the presence of witnesses and evidence by subpoena on behalf of any party.

Subd. 2a. Consolidated contested case hearings for sanctions based on maltreatment determinations and disqualifications. (a) When a denial of a license under section 245A.05 or a licensing sanction under section 245A.07, subdivision 3, is based on a disqualification for which reconsideration was requested and which was not set aside under section 245C.22, the scope of the contested case hearing shall include the disqualification and the licensing sanction or denial of a license. When the licensing sanction or denial of a license is based on a determination of maltreatment under section 626.556 or 626.557, or a disqualification for serious or recurring maltreatment which was not set aside, the scope of the contested case hearing shall include the maltreatment determination, disqualification, and the licensing sanction or denial of a license. In such cases, a fair hearing under section 256.045 shall not be conducted as provided for in sections 626.556, subdivision 10i, and 626.557, subdivision 9d.

(b) In consolidated contested case hearings regarding sanctions issued in family child care, child foster care, and adult foster care, the county attorney shall defend the commissioner's orders in accordance with section 245A.16, subdivision 4.

(c) The commissioner's final order under subdivision 5 is the final agency action on the issue of maltreatment and disqualification, including for purposes of subsequent background studies under chapter 245C and is the only administrative appeal of the final agency determination, specifically, including a challenge to the accuracy and completeness of data under section 13.04.

(d) When consolidated hearings under this subdivision involve a licensing sanction based on a previous maltreatment determination for which the commissioner has issued a final order in an appeal of that determination under section 256.045, or the individual failed to exercise the right to appeal the previous maltreatment determination under section 626.556, subdivision 10i, or 626.557, subdivision 9d, the commissioner's order is conclusive on the issue of maltreatment. In such cases, the scope of the administrative law judge's review shall be limited to the disqualification and the licensing sanction or denial of a license. In the case of a denial of a license or a licensing sanction issued to a facility based on a maltreatment determination regarding an individual who is not the license holder or a household member, the scope of the administrative law judge's review includes the maltreatment determination.

(e) If a maltreatment determination or disqualification, which was not set aside under section 245C.22, is the basis for a denial of a license under section 245A.05 or a licensing sanction under section 245A.07, and the disqualified subject is an individual other than the license holder and upon whom a background study must be conducted under section 245C.03, the hearings of all parties may be consolidated into a single contested case hearing upon consent of all parties and the administrative law judge.

Subd. 3. Burden of proof. (a) At a hearing regarding a licensing sanction under section 245A.07, including consolidated hearings under subdivision 2a, the commissioner may demonstrate reasonable cause for action taken by submitting statements, reports, or affidavits to substantiate the allegations that the license holder failed to comply fully with applicable law or rule. If the commissioner demonstrates that reasonable cause existed, the burden of proof shifts to the license holder to demonstrate by a preponderance of the evidence that the license holder was in full compliance with those laws or rules that the commissioner alleges the license holder violated, at the time that the commissioner alleges the violations of law or rules occurred.

(b) At a hearing on denial of an application, the applicant bears the burden of proof to demonstrate by a preponderance of the evidence that the appellant has complied fully with this chapter and other applicable law or rule and that the application should be approved and a license granted.

Subd. 4. Recommendation of administrative law judge. The administrative law judge shall recommend whether or not the commissioner's order should be affirmed. The recommendations must be consistent with this chapter and the rules of the commissioner. The recommendations must be in writing and accompanied by findings of fact and conclusions and must be mailed to the parties by certified mail to their last known addresses as shown on the license or application.

Subd. 5. Notice of the commissioner's final order. After considering the findings of fact, conclusions, and recommendations of the administrative law judge, the commissioner shall issue a final order. The commissioner shall consider, but shall not be bound by, the recommendations of the administrative law judge. The appellant must be notified of the commissioner's final order as required by chapter 14 and Minnesota Rules, parts 1400.8505 to 1400.8612. The notice must also contain information about the appellant's rights under chapter 14 and Minnesota Rules, parts 1400.8505 to 1400.8612. The institution of proceedings for judicial review of the commissioner's final order shall not stay the enforcement of the final order except as provided in section 14.65. A license holder and each controlling individual of a license holder whose license has been revoked because of noncompliance with applicable law or rule must not be granted a license for five years following the revocation. An applicant whose application was denied must not be granted a license for two years following a denial, unless the applicant's subsequent application contains new information which constitutes a substantial change in the conditions that caused the previous denial.

HIST: 1987 c 333 s 8; 1989 c 282 art 2 s 81; 1990 c 568 art 2 s 46; 1997 c 248 s 28,29; 1999 c 245 art 4 s 10; 2000 c 327 s 6; 1Sp2001 c 9 art 14 s 22; 2002 c 379 art 1 s 113; 2003 c 15 art 1 s 33; 2004 c 288 art 1 s 21-23

Official Publication of the State of Minnesota
Revisor of Statutes