1. A. Hearing Officer. The hearing officer, as the fact finder, shall be fair and impartial and may:

   1. (1) Interpret Department policy and procedures or the time or procedure requirements under this chapter;
   2. (2) Make applicable rulings at any stage of the disciplinary process based on the hearing officer’s interpretation of Department policy and procedures;
   3. (3) Weigh the evidence presented during the evidentiary phase and make findings of fact based upon evidence found credible and reliable by a preponderance of the evidence;
   4. (4) Determine the disposition of each inmate rule violation charged;
   5. (5) Determine the number, period, and effective date of sanctions to be imposed when applicable;

   6. (6) Provide assistance with an investigation or other legal matters that may involve:

      1. (a) The Department;
      2. (b) A law enforcement agency;
      3. (c) The Office of the Attorney General; or
      4. (d) An office of a State or local government agency;
   7. (7) Order the removal of any hearing participant from the location of the disciplinary proceeding if the hearing participant becomes disruptive or becomes a threat to the safety and security of the facility or any other hearing participant; and
   8. (8) Perform other duties as assigned by the hearing officer supervisor or the Secretary, or a designee.
2. B. Facility Hearing Officer. A managing official, or a designee, may designate a facility hearing officer to act as a hearing officer without regard to whether a hearing officer is available to preside over disciplinary proceedings at the facility.

3. C. Ex Parte Communication — Permitted. Unless otherwise stated under this regulation, the hearing officer may:

   1. (1) Elect to discuss a pending case and its evidentiary merits in the absence of the defendant, or, if designated, the facility representative with:

      1. (a) Staff of the Office of the Attorney General;
      2. (b) A law enforcement official;
      3. (c) Staff assigned to the Department’s Intelligence and Investigative Division;
      4. (d) The hearing officer supervisor, or a designee; or
      5. (e) The Secretary, or a designee;

   2. (2) Elect to discuss a non-evidentiary matter in the absence of the defendant, or, if designated, the facility representative regarding one or more of the following matters:

      1. (a) Security or safety;
      2. (b) A plea agreement;
      3. (c) An informal resolution;
      4. (d) A postponement request;
      5. (e) A time requirement or procedure of a regulation under this chapter or Department policy or procedure; or
      6. (f) Representation or witness request; or

   3. (3) Elect to, without the defendant present:

      1. (a) Question or take testimony from a witness or confidential informant witness whose identity may not be revealed to a defendant;
      2. (b) Review or examine security sensitive evidence that may include a document, video record, or other security sensitive evidence in the presence of staff necessary for security and safety of the hearing officer, witness, confidential informant, or security sensitive evidence.

Authority: Correctional Services Article, §§2-109(c), 3-205, 4-208, and 5-201, Annotated Code of Maryland

Effective date: July 2, 2018 (45:13 Md. R. 668)