1. A. Request for Hearing

   A request for hearing shall be made in writing to the Department within thirty (30) days of receipt of notification of an indicated finding.

2. B. Interim Reviews

   1. (1) Within fourteen (14) days of receiving the hearing request, the Department will conduct an interim review of the findings pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. Section 20-7-655(E) and will transmit a written notice of the outcome of such review to the OAH.
   2. (2) If the finding is reversed upon an interim review, the OAH shall notify both parties that the case is closed.

3. C. Decision

   1. (1) A decision shall be rendered by a three-member committee, composed of a hearing officer and two department representatives who have program knowledge and who are appointed by the State Director of the Department of Social Services; however, no department representatives shall be residents of or employees of the county where the case originates or, if the case decision being appealed involves institutional abuse, a member of the investigative unit which investigated the case.
   2. (2) All committee members shall be present for the hearing; however, if a committee member is absent the parties may agree to proceed in his or her absence provided that the absent member listens to a tape recording of the full hearing prior to rendering a decision.

HISTORY: Added by State Register Volume 24, Issue No. 7, eff July 28, 2000.