1. (1) Purpose. The hearing officer shall ask the parties to participate in a prehearing conference to do one or more of the following:

   1. (a) Formulate a statement of the issue or issues presented by an appeal.
   2. (b) Identify potential witnesses and receive motions.
   3. (c) Confirm the scheduled hearing.
   4. (d) Clarify any other issues to be considered or excluded from a hearing.
2. (2) Participation. The administrator’s representative shall participate in the prehearing conference. If the applicant, eligible individual, or their representative fails to participate in a prehearing conference without prior notice, the hearing officer shall continue the prehearing conference period for 5 working days. During this period the applicant, eligible individual, or their representative may file a good cause explanation, including the need for reasonable and specific disability accommodations, and request that the prehearing conference be rescheduled. If a good cause explanation is not filed within 5 working days, the hearing officer shall schedule the hearing within the 60-day limit and notify the parties and the hearing coordinator of this decision. The department may review this decision as provided in s. DWD 75.19.
3. (3) Hearing not delayed by participation in a prehearing conference. Participation in a prehearing conference shall not delay a hearing and does not affect time limits under this chapter. The parties shall not forfeit any rights under this chapter by participating in a prehearing conference or meeting to reach agreement prior to a hearing.

History

History: Cr. Register, December, 1996, No. 492, eff. 1-1-97; CR 15-055: am. (title), (1) (intro.), (2), (3) Register May 2016 No. 725, eff. 6-1-16; CR 22-008: am. (2) Register June 2022 No. 798, eff. 7-1-22.