900 KAR 6:040.

Licensure hearings.

 

      RELATES TO: KRS

216B.105

      STATUTORY

AUTHORITY: KRS 13A.350, 216B.040, 1996 Ky. Acts ch. 371, EO 96-862

      NECESSITY,

FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY: KRS 216B.040 and 216B.105 authorize the Cabinet for

Health Services to provide a due process hearing and issue a final

determination on all actions by the Cabinet for Health Services to deny,

revoke, modify or suspend a license. Executive Order 96-862 reorganizes the

Cabinet for Human Resources and creates the Office of Certificate of Need under

the Cabinet for Health Services. This administrative regulation sets forth the

hearing procedure for licensure actions.

 

      Section 1.

Notice of Action and Request for Hearing. Any applicant or licensee who has

been notified of the cabinet's decision to deny, revoke, modify or suspend a

license to operate a health facility or health service may request an

evidentiary hearing for the purpose of appealing the cabinet's decision. The

request must be filed with the cabinet within thirty (30) days of the date of

mailing of notice of the cabinet's decision.

 

      Section 2.

Notice of Hearing. The cabinet shall provide the appellant with notice of date,

time and location of the hearing by certified mail at least thirty (30) days

before the date of the hearing.

 

      Section 3.

Disqualification of Hearing Officer. No hearing officer shall participate in

any hearing in which the hearing officer has had within the past twelve (12)

months preceding the hearing, any ownership, employment, staff, fiduciary,

contractual, creditor, personal, consultative relationship that would preclude

the hearing officer from conducting a fair and impartial hearing with the applicant

or licensee.

 

      Section 4.

Hearing Procedure. (1) Each party shall have the opportunity to present its case,

make opening statements, call and examine witnesses, offer documentary evidence

into the record and make closing statements. Every party shall also have the

opportunity to cross-examine opposing witnesses on matters covered in direct

examination and, at the discretion of the hearing officer, upon other matters

relevant to the issues. A party that is a corporation shall be represented by

an attorney licensed to practice in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

      (a) The hearing

officer may allow testimony or other evidence on issues that may arise during

the course of the hearing, including any additional petitions for intervention

which may be filed. The hearing officer may act to exclude irrelevant,

immaterial or unduly repetitious evidence, and may question any party or

witness.

      (b) The hearing

officer is not bound by the Kentucky rules of evidence and may allow hearsay

evidence in his discretion if it is relevant to the issue.

      (c) The

applicant or licensee may be allowed to open and close the presentation of

evidence and arguments. The hearing officer shall designate the order of

presentations, in the preliminary order.

      (d) Witnesses

may appear through deposition or in person. Witnesses shall be examined under

oath or affirmation. If the hearing officer determines that the hearing will be

expedited and the interests of the parties will not be prejudiced, any part or

all of the evidence may be received in written form. Written testimony of a

witness in the form of questions and answers or a narrative statement may be

received in lieu of direct examination, provided that the witness authenticates

the document under oath. The witness shall then be subject to

cross-examination.

      (e) A written

statement from any party, or a statement or resolution of a political subdivision,

trade association, civic organization or other organization may be received

without cross examination, but will be considered only as argument, and not as

proof of any matter addressed in these documents unless the party against whom

the document is being offered is allowed to cross-examine the proponent of the

document.

      (f) The hearing

officer may accept documentary evidence in the form of copies of excerpts if

the original is not readily available, provided that upon request parties shall

be given an opportunity to compare the copy with the original. Documents to be

considered for acceptance shall be filed with the hearing officer and other

parties at least seven (7) days before the hearing.

      (g) A document

may not be incorporated into the record by reference without the permission of

the hearing officer. Any reference document shall be precisely identified.

      (h) The hearing

officer may permit a party to offer or request a party to produce additional

evidence or briefs of issues as part of the record within a designated time,

not to exceed the ten (10) days after the conclusion of the hearing. During

this period, the hearing record shall remain open, and the conclusion of the

hearing shall occur when the additional information is filed.

      (2) In lieu of

an evidentiary hearing, the parties to a proceeding, with the consent of the

designated hearing officer, may file written stipulations of relevant facts.

The hearing officer may decide the appeal on the basis of such stipulation or

may schedule a hearing and take such further evidence as he deems necessary.

      (3) The

designated hearing officer may, at his discretion, grant a continuance of a

hearing in order to secure necessary evidence.

 

      Section 5.

Findings and Recommendations. (1) After the hearing, the hearing officer shall

prepare written findings of fact and recommendations with a synopsis of the

evidence contained in the record on the issues involved. If the applicant or

licensee fails to appear and prosecute the appeal, the hearing officer may

dismiss or recommend dismissal of the appeal.

      (2) The hearing

officer shall, within thirty (30) days of the close of the hearing send

findings and recommendations by certified mail to the applicant or licensee, to

the licensing agency, and to the Secretary of the Cabinet for Health Services.

Written exceptions to the recommended decision may be submitted within fifteen

(15) days of receipt.

      (3) The

Secretary of the Cabinet for Health Services shall make a final decision

pursuant to subsection (2) of this section within ninety (90) days from the

date of the recommended order of the hearing officer.

      (4) The decision

of the secretary shall be final for purposes of judicial appeal, as set forth

in KRS 216B.115. (23 Ky.R. 2382; Am. 2746; eff. 12-18-96.)