| (a) The committee, at its sole discretion, may invite
the respondent and/or the complainant to an informal conference. The
purpose of the conference is to assist the committee in the investigation.
An informal conference is voluntary and is not a prerequisite to a
hearing in a disciplinary action.
(b) The committee will request the respondent to appear
at a specified time and place for an informal conference. If the committee
determines that the complainant's presence will aide in the investigation,
then the committee will invite the complainant to appear at the informal
conference.
(c) The notice of an informal conference will state
the date, time and place. The notice will be mailed to the respondent
and complainant at least 10 days prior to the informal conference.
(d) At an informal conference, the respondent may appear
with legal representation but the respondent must agree to be the
person responding to the committee's questions.
(e) During an informal conference, each party is given
the opportunity to make a brief presentation to the committee. The
committee may ask questions regarding the matter being investigated
and any matter of interest to the committee related to the investigation.
The committee chair may call upon board staff at any time for assistance
during the informal conference.
(f) The committee may invite a non-party who has relevant
information to the investigation to participate in the informal conference
but the committee will determine who may attend and the process of
the informal conference.
|
| Source Note: The provisions of this §519.23 adopted to be effective June 9, 2004, 29 TexReg 5628; amended to be effective February 9, 2012, 37 TexReg 493; amended to be effective December 7, 2016, 41 TexReg 5913 |
