WAC 182-526-0195 Prehearing conferences.

1. A prehearing conference is a formal proceeding conducted on the record by an administrative law judge (ALJ) to address issues and prepare for a hearing.

(a) The ALJ must record the prehearing conference using audio recording equipment (such as a digital recorder or tape recorder).

(b) An ALJ may conduct the prehearing conference in person, by telephone conference call, or in any other manner acceptable to the parties.

2. All parties must attend and participate in the prehearing conference. If the party who requested the hearing does not attend and participate in the prehearing conference, the administrative law judge may enter an order of default and an order dismissing the hearing.

3. The administrative law judge (ALJ) may require a prehearing conference. Any party may request a prehearing conference. 

4. The ALJ must grant the first request for a prehearing conference if it is filed with the office of administrative hearings (OAH) at least seven business days before the scheduled hearing date. .

5. When the ALJ grants a party's request for a prehearing conference, OAH must continue the previously scheduled hearing when necessary to comply with subsection (10) of this section.

6. The ALJ may grant additional requests for prehearing conferences.

7. The OAH must schedule prehearing conferences for all cases which concern:

(a) The department's division of residential care services under Title XIX of the federal Social Security Act; and

(b) Provider and vendor overpayment hearings.

 

8.  During a prehearing conference the parties and the administrative law judge may:

(a) Simplify or clarify the issues to be decided during the hearing;

(b) Agree to the date, time, and place of the hearing;

(c) Identify accomodation and safety issues;

(d) Agree to postpone the hearing;

(e) Allow the parties to make changes in their own documents, including the notice or the hearing request;

(f) Agree to facts and documents to be entered during the hearing;

(g) Set a deadline to exchange names and phone numbers of witnesses and documents before the hearing;

(h) Schedule additional prehearing conferences;

(i) Resolve the dispute;

(j) Consider granting a stay if authorized by law or program rule; or

(k) Rule on any procedural issues and substantive motions raised by any party.

9. After the prehearing conference ends, the administrative law judge (ALJ) must enter a written order describing:

(a) The actions taken;

(b) Any changes to the documents;

(c) Any agreements reached; and

(d) Any ruling of the ALJ.

10. The ALJ must serve the prehearing order to the parties at least fourteen calendar days before the scheduled hearing.

11. A party may object to the prehearing order by notifying the ALJ in writing within ten days after the mailing date of the order. The ALJ must issue a ruling on the objection.

12. If no objection is made to the prehearing order, the order determines how the hearing is conducted, including whether the hearing will be in person or held by telephone conference or other means, unless the ALJ changes the order for good cause.

13. The ALJ may take further appropriate actions to address other concerns.