OAR 291-105-0056: AIC Rights in Formal and Informal Hearings

(1) Hearing: The AIC shall be entitled to a hearing whenever a misconduct report has been filed. An AIC receiving a minor misconduct report shall not receive a formal hearing, unless specifically requested. (2) Waiver of Hearing: (a) The AIC may waive the right to a hearing. Waiver of the right must be made in writing, verbally, or through behavior and must be documented on the record. An AIC’s refusal to attend the hearing will constitute a waiver. (b) If the AIC waives the right to a hearing, the case will be reviewed on its merits by the Hearings Officer or adjudicator in accordance with the procedures outlined in these rules (OAR 291-105). (3) Notice of Hearing: (a) The AIC shall be given written notice of the hearing no less than 24 hours prior to the hearing. The AIC may consent to holding the hearing sooner either verbally or in writing. (b) The notice shall include a statement of the AIC’s rights with respect to the hearing. (4) Representation: (a) In all cases, the AIC shall be entitled to: (A) Provide a defense through written or oral testimony. (B) Be present at all evidentiary stages of the hearing process, except when the Hearings Officer or adjudicator finds that to have the charged AIC present would constitute an immediate threat to facility security or the AIC’s behavior during the hearing warrants exclusion. The reason(s) for the finding shall be part of the record. (C) AICs shall be excluded during the testimony of any witness whose testimony must be given in confidence. The reasons for the AIC’s absence or exclusion shall be made part of the record. (b) Assistance by an employee, AIC, or other person approved by the Hearings Officer or adjudicator will be ordered in cases where it is found that assistance is necessary based upon language barriers, the AIC’s capacity to prepare a defense, or the AIC’s ability to understand the charge(s), surrounding facts, or rights available to the AIC. (5) AICs shall be allowed to submit evidence, except when the Hearings Officer or adjudicator finds that to have the evidence present would constitute an immediate threat to a facility or not assist in the resolution of the hearing, as provided in OAR 291-105-0028 or OAR 291-105-0046.