301. Hearings. 1. In an adjudicatory proceeding, all parties shall be afforded an opportunity for hearing within reasonable time.
2. All parties shall be given reasonable notice of such hearing, which notice shall include (a) a statement of the time, place, and nature of the hearing; (b) a statement of the legal authority and jurisdiction under which the hearing is to be held; (c) a reference to the particular sections of the statutes and rules involved, where possible; (d) a short and plain statement of matters asserted; and (e) a statement that interpreter services shall be made available to deaf persons, at no charge, pursuant to this section. Upon application of any party, a more definite and detailed statement shall be furnished whenever the agency finds that the statement is not sufficiently definite or not sufficiently detailed. The finding of the agency as to the sufficiency of definiteness or detail of the statement or its failure or refusal to furnish a more definite or detailed statement shall not be subject to judicial review. Any statement furnished shall be deemed, in all respects, to be a part of the notice of hearing.
3. Agencies shall adopt rules governing the procedures on adjudicatory proceedings and appeals, in accordance with provisions of article two of this chapter, and shall prepare a summary of such procedures in plain language. Agencies shall make such summaries available to the public upon request, and a copy of such summary shall be provided to any party cited by the agency for violation of the laws, rules or orders enforced by the agency.
4. All parties shall be afforded an opportunity to present written argument on issues of law and an opportunity to present evidence and such argument on issues of fact, provided however that nothing contained herein shall be construed to prohibit an agency from allowing parties to present oral argument within a reasonable time. In fixing the time and place for hearings and oral argument, due regard shall be had for the convenience of the parties.
5. Unless precluded by statute, disposition may be made of any adjudicatory proceeding by stipulation, agreed settlement, consent order, default, or other informal method.
6. Whenever any deaf person is a party to an adjudicatory proceeding before an agency, or a witness therein, such agency in all instances shall appoint a qualified interpreter who is certified by a recognized national or New York state credentialing authority to interpret the proceedings to, and the testimony of, such deaf person. The agency conducting the adjudicatory proceeding shall determine a reasonable fee for all such interpreting services which shall be a charge upon the agency.
Last modified: February 3, 2019