§ 6-420. Issuance of complaints and orders

   (a) Grounds for complaint. -- The Department shall issue a written complaint if the Department has reasonable grounds to believe that the person to whom the complaint is directed has violated:

   (1) This subtitle;

   (2) Any rule or regulation adopted under this subtitle; or

   (3) Any order, permit, or certificate issued by the Department under this subtitle.

(b) Contents of complaint. -- A complaint issued under this section shall:

   (1) Specify the provision that allegedly has been violated; and

   (2) State the alleged facts that constitute the violation.

(c) Issuance of orders and notices. -- After or concurrently with service of a complaint under this subtitle, the Department may:

   (1) Issue an order that requires the person to whom it is directed to take corrective action within a time set in the order;

   (2) Send a written notice that requires the person to whom it is directed to file a written report about the alleged violation; or

   (3) Send a written notice that requires the person to whom the notice is directed:

      (i) To appear at a hearing held in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act before the Department at a time and place the Department sets to answer the allegations of a complaint; or

      (ii) To file a written report and also appear at a hearing held in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act before the Department at a time and place the Department sets to answer the charges in the complaint.

(d) Effective date of orders. -- Any order issued under this section is effective immediately, according to its terms, when it is served.

HISTORY: 1990, ch. 130; 1991, ch. 55, § 1.