WAC 388-526-0197 When is a prehearing conference scheduled? (Emergency rule effective 6/10/12.)

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

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

3. The ALJ may grant untimely or additional requests for prehearing conferences.

4. If the parties do not agree to a continuance, the OAH and/or the ALJ must set a prehearing conference to decide whether there is good cause to grant or deny the continuance.

5. 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.