1512 Hearing Official

Hearings shall be conducted by an impartial official(s) who does not have any personal stake or involvement in the case, was not directly involved in the initial determination of the action which is being contested, and was not the immediate supervisor of the eligibility worker who took the action. The hearing official shall be an employee of Food Assistance Division, State Department of Human Resources. The hearing official shall have the following powers and duties: 1. Administer oaths or affirmations. 2. Insure that all relevant issues are considered. 3. Request, receive, and make part of the record all evidence determined necessary to decide the issues being raised. 4. Regulate the conduct and course of the hearing consistent with due process to insure an orderly hearing. 5. To decide on the admissibility of evidence. 6. Order, where relevant and useful, an independent medical assessment or professional evaluation from a source mutually satisfactory to the household and the agency, 7. Provide a hearing record and render a hearing decision in accordance with Section 1516. 8. To sign and issue subpoenas to witnesses or for the production of papers and writings. 9. To grant or deny and set time and place for continuances, postponements, or further submission of evidence, arguments or briefs. 10. To grant or deny petitions or motions to amend, intervene or apply for rehearing. 11. To reprimand, exclude, or limit the presence of witnesses or other persons at the hearing because of improper conduct, space limitations or a sequestering request by a party or on his/her own motion.