Ariz. Admin. Code § 6-14-503

Current through Register Vol. 30, No. 50, December 13, 2024

Section R6-14-503 - Administrative Disqualification Hearings

A. The rules on fair hearings contained in Article 4 of this Chapter apply to Intentional Program Violation (IPV) Administrative Disqualification Hearings, except as provided in this Article.

B. All IPV Administrative Disqualification Hearings are conducted by the Department's Office of Appeals.

C. If the individual suspected of an IPV does not sign and return the waiver of Administrative Disqualification Hearing by the return date set in the waiver notice, or returns the waiver notice stating they do not waive the Administrative Disqualification Hearing, the Office of Appeals shall send the individual a written hearing notice. The Office of Appeals shall send the notice by first class mail, certified mail - return receipt requested, or any other reliable method, no later than 30 days before the scheduled hearing date.

D. The hearing notice shall include the following information:

1. The date, time, and place of the hearing;

2. The allegations of an IPV against the individual;

3. A summary of the evidence, how and where the evidence can be examined, and that the individual suspected of the IPV has the right to examine the case file prior to the hearing. When requested by the household or its representative, the Department shall provide a free copy of any documents in the case file, except documents protected by the attorney-client or work-product privilege or as otherwise protected by federal or state confidentiality laws.

4. A notice that the decision will be based solely on information provided by the Department if the individual suspected of the IPV fails to appear at the hearing;

5. A statement that the individual or representative will, upon receipt of the notice, have 10 days from the date of the scheduled hearing to present good cause for failure to appear in order to receive a new hearing;

6. A warning that a determination of IPV will result in disqualification periods as defined by section R6-14-505, and a statement of which penalty the Department believes is applicable to the case scheduled for a hearing;

7. A listing of the individual's rights as contained in R6-14-410;

8. A statement that the Administrative Disqualification Hearing does not preclude the State or Federal Government from prosecuting the individual for the IPV in a civil or criminal court action, or from collecting any over issuance of Nutrition Assistance benefits; and

9. A statement that the individual suspected of the IPV may consult with an attorney and a list of any individuals or organizations known to the Department that provide free legal representation.

10. A notice that the individual suspected of the IPV has the right to obtain a copy of the Department's published hearing procedures together with an explanation of how the individual suspected of the IPV can obtain these procedures.

E. The hearing officer shall postpone a hearing for up to 30 days if the individual suspected of the IPV files a written or oral request for postponement with the hearing officer no later than 10 days before the hearing date. Any such postponement shall increase the time by which the hearing officer shall issue a decision, as provided in subsection (J) below.

F. The time and place for the hearing shall be arranged so that the hearing is accessible to the individual suspected of the IPV, including making reasonable accommodations for a person with a disability.

G. At the start of the Administrative Disqualification Hearing, the hearing officer shall advise the individual suspected of the IPV or representative of the right to remain silent during the hearing. The hearing officer shall also advise that if the individual suspected of the IPV or representative chooses not to exercise the right to remain silent, anything they say may be used against them.

H. A hearing officer, as prescribed in R6-14-407, shall conduct the Administrative Disqualification Hearing pursuant to the procedures set forth in R6-14-408, R6-14-409, R6-14-410 and R6-14-413, except as prescribed in this subsection.

I. The Department shall prove by clear and convincing evidence that the household member committed, and intended to commit, an IPV.

J. No later than 90 days from the date of the notice of hearing, as increased by any postponement days, the hearing officer shall send to the individual suspected of the IPV a written decision. The hearing officer shall find whether the evidence shows by clear and convincing evidence that the person committed, and intended to commit, an IPV. The decision shall specify the reasons for the decision, identify the supporting evidence, identify the pertinent regulation, respond to reasoned arguments made by the individual suspected of the IPV or representative, and include appeal rights.

Ariz. Admin. Code § R6-14-503

R6-14-503 recodified from A.A.C. R6-3-2303 effective February 13, 1996 (Supp. 96-1). Section expired under A.R.S. §1056(E) at 11 A.A.R. 1450, effective February 28, 2005 (Supp. 05-1). New Section made by emergency rulemaking at 24 A.A.R. 2081, effective July 6, 2018 for 180 days (Supp. 18-3). Amended by final rulemaking at 26 A.A.R. 263, effective 1/21/2020.