Alabama § 34-24-167 - Refusal, Revocation, or Suspension - Notice of Hearing; Procedure.

§ 34-24-167. Refusal, Revocation, or Suspension - Notice of Hearing; Procedure.

(a) In a contested case, all parties shall be afforded an opportunity for hearing after reasonable notice in writing delivered either by personal service as in civil actions or by certified mail, return receipt requested. Delivery of the notice referred to in this subsection shall constitute commencement of the contested case proceeding.

(b) The notice shall include:

(1) A statement of the time, place, and nature of the hearing;

(2) A statement of the legal authority and jurisdiction under which the hearing is to be held;

(3) A reference to the particular sections of the statutes and rules involved;

(4) A short and plain statement of the matters asserted. If the State Board of Chiropractic Examiners is unable to state the matters in detail at the time the notice is served, the initial notice may be limited to a statement of the issues involved. Thereafter, upon application, a more definite and detailed statement shall be furnished; and

(5) The summons and complaint shall be mailed at least 35 days prior to the scheduled date of the hearing. The board may specify in its rules and regulations the period for reasonable notice in the event service is refused or returned.

(c) If a party fails to appear in a contested case proceeding after proper service of notice, the presiding officer may, if no adjournment is granted, proceed with the hearing and make a decision in the absence of the party.

(d) Opportunity shall be afforded all parties to respond and present evidence and argument on all material issues involved and to be represented by counsel at their own expense.

(e) Informal dispositions may be made of any contested case by stipulation, agreed settlement, consent order or default or by another method agreed upon by the parties in writing. The attorney for the State Board of Chiropractic Examiners shall have the authority to make any settlement offer to any respondent in a disciplinary proceeding. Such offer shall not be binding upon the State Board of Chiropractic Examiners.

(f) The record in a contested case shall include:

(1) All pleadings, motions, and intermediate rulings;

(2) All evidence received or considered and all other submissions;

(3) A statement of all matters officially noticed;

(4) All questions and offers of proof, objections, and rulings thereon;

(5) All proposed findings and exceptions;

(6) Any decision, opinion, or report by the hearing officer at the hearing; and

(7) All staff memoranda or data submitted to the hearing officer or members of the board in connection with their consideration of the case.

(g) Oral proceedings shall be open to the public. Oral proceedings shall be recorded either by mechanized means or by qualified shorthand reporters. Oral proceedings or any part thereof shall be transcribed at the request of any party with the expense of the transcription charged to the requesting party. The recording or stenographic notes of oral proceedings or the transcription thereof shall be filed with and maintained by the board for at least five years from the date of the decision and shall be made available for inspection by the public, except in those cases where the proceedings shall be ordered sealed by order of the court.