1. (a) At any time 20 or more days prior to a hearing or a continued hearing, a party may mail or deliver to the opposing party or parties a copy of any declaration which the proponent proposes to introduce in evidence, together with a notice as provided in paragraph (b). Unless an opposing party, within seven days after such mailing or delivery, mails or delivers to the proponent a request to cross-examine the declarant the opposing party's right to cross-examine such declarant is waived and the declaration, if introduced in evidence, shall be given the same effect as if the declarant had testified orally. If an opportunity to cross-examine a declarant is not afforded after a request is made as herein provided, the hearing officer may allow the declaration to be introduced, but it shall only be given the same effect as other hearsay evidence.

2. (b) The notice referred to in paragraph (a) shall be a separate document concurrently served with the declaration, entitled “Notice of Intent to Use Declaration in Lieu of Oral Testimony.” The title shall be in bold print. The content of the notice shall be substantially in the following form:

   The accompanying declaration of [insert name of declarant] will be introduced as evidence at the hearing in [insert title and docket number or petition number of proceeding]. [Insert name] will not be called to testify orally and you will not be entitled to question the declarant unless you notify [insert name of the proponent or representative] at [insert address] that you wish to cross-examine the declarant. To be effective, your request must be mailed or delivered to [insert name of proponent or representative] on or before [insert a date 7 days after the date of mailing or delivery of the declaration to the opposing party].”

Note: Authority cited: Sections 39600, 39601 and 43105.5(e) and (f), Health and Safety Code. Reference: Sections 43105.5(e) and (f), Health and Safety Code; Section 1969, title 13, California Code of Regulations; and Mathews v. Eldridge (1976) 424 U.S. 319.

History

1. New section filed 9-12-2002; operative 10-1-2002 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4 (Register 2002, No. 37).