34 Pa. Code § 501.8 – Hearings/appeals.

(a) Actions under sections 8 and 9 of the act (63 P. S. § § 1725.8 and 1725.9) and § 501.7 (relating to violations) will be taken subject to the right of notice, hearing and adjudication in accordance with 2 Pa.C.S. (relating to administrative law and procedure). Hearings shall be conducted under 1 Pa. Code Part II (relating to the General Rules of Administrative Practice and Procedure) and this section.
(b) The Office will serve the respondent with an order to show cause under 1 Pa. Code § 35.14 (relating to orders to show cause). The order to show cause will contain notification that the registration may be subject to action and the grounds for the action. The order to show cause will contain notification that the respondent is to respond in writing within 30 days after the date of the service of the order or in accordance with another date designated by the Office. Failure to respond will be deemed a default and relevant facts stated in the order to show cause may be deemed admitted under 1 Pa. Code § 35.37 (relating to answers to orders to show cause).
(c) The respondent may respond in writing to the allegations of the order to show cause under 1 Pa. Code § 35.37. If made, the answer shall be filed with the Office within 30 days after the date of the order to show cause or within another time period specified by the Office.
(d) The Office will provide the opportunity for a recorded hearing on the allegations. The Office will designate a presiding officer to conduct the hearing under 1 Pa. Code § § 35.185—35.190 (relating to presiding officers).
(e) The presiding officer will prepare and issue a proposed report and order under 1 Pa. Code § § 35.201—35.207 (relating to proposed reports generally). The presiding officer will serve the proposed report upon counsel of record or to the parties in the hearing. The proposed report will contain the Department address where an appeal may be filed.
(f) A party may appeal the proposed report and order to the Secretary within 30 days of service of the proposed report under section 10 of the act (63 P. S. § 1725.10). Appeals are governed by the following:
1. (1) A party desiring to appeal to the Secretary shall file exceptions to the proposed report and order within 30 days of service in accordance with 1 Pa. Code § 35.211 (relating to procedure to except to proposed report). The party may seek the reopening of the record to present testimony or evidence by filing a request with the exceptions.
2. (2) A party may file a written response to the exceptions within 20 days of service of the exceptions. The party may seek the reopening of the record to present testimony or evidence by filing a request with the response.
3. (3) If a timely appeal is filed, the presiding officer will transmit the proposed report and order and the certified record to the Secretary.
4. (4) If a timely appeal is filed, the Secretary will issue the final order under 1 Pa. Code § 35.226 (relating to final orders). The Secretary may reopen the record and order additional briefs.
5. (5) The presiding officer’s proposed report and order will be the Department’s final order under section 11 of the act (63 P. S. § 1725.11) if a timely appeal is not made under this section.
(g) This section supplements 1 Pa. Code § § 35.14, 35.37, 35.185—35.190, 35.201—35.207, 35.211 and 35.226.