1. A. The Department shall:

   1. (1) Assess applicant eligibility based on documentation received by the published deadline;
   2. (2) Require from an applicant additional documentation or use independent verification means to verify information in the application; and

   3. (3) Score an eligible application based on priority criteria in accordance with:

      1. (a) Health-General Article, §24–1705, Annotated Code of Maryland; and
      2. (b) The guidelines established by the Department.
2. B. An applicant shall respond to an award offer by submitting all required documentation to the Department within 90 calendar days of notice of award.

3. C. Failure of the applicant to provide required documentation shall result in:

   1. (1) An application determined as ineligible; or
   2. (2) Cancellation of any offered awards.

4. D. Appeal of Disapproval of Application.

   1. (1) An applicant may appeal the decision to disapprove an application by submitting an appeal request in writing to the Department within 30 calendar days of the date on the notice of the disapproved application.

   2. (2) If an applicant submits an appeal, the Department, within 60 calendar days, shall:

      1. (a) Sustain or reverse the decision on the application; and

      2. (b) Provide written notice to the applicant:

         1. (i) Indicating whether the decision on the application has been sustained or reversed; and
         2. (ii) Providing an explanation of the decision.
   3. (3) An applicant may request a hearing within 10 calendar days after the date of written notice of the Department’s disapproval of an application as stated in §D(2) of this regulation. When the Department receives the request, it will follow hearing procedures in accordance with COMAR 10.01.03.

   4. (4) Failure to be present for the hearing without prior notice, communication, or approval from the Department may result in:

      1. (a) The appeal nullified and decision sustained;
      2. (b) Hearing on the appeal not rescheduled; or
      3. (c) Appropriate sanctions taken as deemed by the Department.

Authority: Health-General Article, §24–1701—24-1708, ; and Health Occupations Article, §§14–207 and 15–206(c), Annotated Code of Maryland

Effective date: March 2, 2026 (53:4 Md. R. 184)