21 NCAC 16U .0204         SETTLEMENT CONFERENCES

(a)  A settlement conference shall not be conducted unless the Respondent agrees to participate and to waive any objection to the Board members being provided a forecast of the evidence.

(b)  A settlement conference shall be conducted before the Board or a panel of the Board appointed by the President. At the settlement conference, the Board's investigative panel shall summarize the information obtained during the course of the investigation and present a forecast of the Board's evidence. The Respondent shall have an opportunity to forecast his or her evidence. The settlement conference shall not be recorded nor open to the public.

(c)  If the Board determines that sanctions, discipline, or other action is necessary, a Consent Order or other written disposition shall be prepared and proposed to Respondent. If the Respondent rejects the proposed Consent Order or other disposition, a contested case hearing shall be scheduled.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 90-28; 90-41; 90-41.1; 90-48; 90-223; 90-229; 90-231; 150B-41;

Eff. October 1, 1996;

Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. January 9, 2018;

Amended Eff. August 1, 2026.