(8) Testimony offered at an expedited hearing may be considered in a subsequent report to UPPAC or hearing.(9) An expedited hearing panel may proceed under this section with only two voting panel members with the stipulation of the educator.
R277-211-6. Complaints.
(1) If UPPAC determines that an allegation is sufficiently supported by evidence discovered in the investigation, the Executive Secretary may direct the UPPAC attorney to serve a complaint upon the educator being investigated.
(2) At a minimum, a complaint shall include:
(a) a statement of legal authority and jurisdiction under which the action is being taken;
(b) a statement of the facts and allegations upon which the complaint is based;
(c) other information necessary to enable the respondent to understand and address the allegations;
(d) a statement of the potential consequences if an allegation is found to be true or substantially true;
(e) a statement that the respondent shall answer the complaint and request a hearing, if desired, within 30 days of the date the complaint is mailed to the respondent;
(f) a statement that the respondent shall file a written answer described in Subsection (2)(e) with the Executive Secretary;
(g) a statement advising the respondent that if the respondent fails to respond within 30 days, the Executive Secretary may issue a default order in accordance with Section R277-211-8;
(h) a statement that, if a hearing is requested, the hearing will be scheduled no less than 45 days, nor more than 180 days, after receipt of the respondent's answer, unless a different date is agreed to by both parties in writing;
(i) a copy of the applicable hearing rules as required by Section 53E-6-607; and
(j) if the respondent is not represented by counsel, a written guide to help the respondent understand the UPPAC investigation and hearing process.
(3) On the Executive Secretary's own motion, the Executive Secretary, or the Executive Secretary's designee, with notice to the parties, may reschedule a hearing date.
(4)(a) A respondent may file an answer to a complaint by filing a written response signed by the respondent or the respondent's attorney with the Executive Secretary within 30 days after the complaint is mailed.
(b) The answer shall include:
(i) a request for a hearing;
(ii) the file number of the complaint;
(iii) the names of the parties; and
(iv) the relief that the respondent seeks at a hearing.
(c) As an alternative to filing an answer, the respondent may file a voluntary surrender pursuant to Rule R277-216.
(5)(a) The Executive Secretary shall schedule a hearing, if requested by the respondent, in accordance with Subsection (2)(h) and Rule R277-212.
(b) If the parties can reach an agreement before the hearing consistent with the terms of UPPAC's initial recommendation, the UPPAC attorney may negotiate a proposed consent to discipline with the respondent.
(c) A proposed consent to discipline described in Subsection (5)(b) shall be submitted to the Board for the Board's consideration in accordance with Section R277-211-7.
(6)(a) If a respondent does not respond to the complaint within 30 days, the Executive Secretary may initiate default proceedings in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section R277-211-8.
(b) If the Executive Secretary enters an order of default, the Executive Secretary shall make a recommendation to the Board for discipline consistent with the evidence and Rule R277-215.
R277-211-7. Proposed Consent to Discipline.
(1) At any time after UPPAC has made an initial recommendation, a respondent may accept UPPAC's initial recommendation, rather than request a hearing, by entering into a proposed consent to discipline.
(2) By entering into a proposed consent to discipline, a respondent waives the respondent's right to a hearing to contest the recommended disposition, contingent on final approval by the Board.
(3) At a minimum, a proposed consent to discipline shall include:
(a) a summary of the facts, the allegations, the presumption described in Rule R277-215, mitigating or aggravating factors described in Rule R277-215, and the evidence relied upon by UPPAC in its recommendation;
(b) a statement that the respondent admits or does not contest the facts recited in the proposed consent to discipline for purposes of the Board administrative action;
(c) a statement that the respondent:
(i) waives the respondent's right to a hearing to contest the allegations that gave rise to the investigation; and
(ii) agrees to the proposed action rather than contest the allegations;
(d) a statement that the respondent agrees to the terms of the proposed consent to discipline and other provisions applicable to the case, such as remediation, assessment and recommended counseling, restitution, rehabilitation, and other conditions, if any, under which the respondent may request a reinstatement hearing or a removal of the reprimand;
(e) a statement that the action and the proposed consent to discipline shall be reported to other states through the NASDTEC Educator Information Clearinghouse;
(f) a statement that respondent waives the respondent's right to contest the facts stated in the proposed consent to discipline at a subsequent reinstatement hearing, if any;
(g) a statement that all records related to the proposed consent to discipline shall remain permanently in the UPPAC case file;
(h) a statement reflecting the classification of the proposed consent to discipline under Title 63G, Chapter 2, Government Records Access and Management Act;
(i) a statement that information regarding the proposed reprimand, suspension, or revocation may be included in an online licensing database that is available for public access in accordance with Rule R277-312.
(j) a statement that a violation of the terms of an approved consent to discipline may result in additional disciplinary action and may affect the reinstatement process; and