641—33.24(17A) Hearing procedures. The presiding officer will be in control of the proceedings and will have the authority to administer oaths, admit or exclude testimony or other evidence, and rule on all motions and objections.
	33.24(1) Examination of witnesses. All witnesses shall be sworn or affirmed by the presiding officer or the court reporter and be subject to cross-examination. Board members and the administrative law judge have the right to examine witnesses at any stage of a witness’s testimony. The presiding officer may limit questioning in a manner consistent with law.
	33.24(2) Public hearing. The hearing will be open to the public unless a licensee or licensee’s attorney requests in writing that a licensee disciplinary hearing be closed to the public.
	33.24(3) Record of proceedings. Oral proceedings will be recorded either by mechanical or electronic means or by certified shorthand reporters. Oral proceedings or any part thereof will be transcribed at the request of any party with the expense of the transcription charged to the requesting party. The recording or stenographic notes of oral proceedings or the transcription will be filed with and maintained by the board for at least five years from the date of decision.
	33.24(4) Order of proceedings. Before testimony is presented, the record will show the identities of any board members present, the identity of the administrative law judge, the identities of the primary parties and their representatives, and the fact that all testimony is being recorded. In contested cases initiated by the board, such as licensee discipline, hearings will generally be conducted in the following order, subject to modification at the discretion of the board:
	a. 	The presiding officer or designee may read a summary of the charges and answers thereto and other responsive pleadings filed by the respondent prior to the hearing.
	b. 	The assistant attorney general representing the state’s interest before the board may make a brief opening statement, which may include a summary of charges and the names of any witnesses and documents to support such charges.
	c. 	Each respondent shall be offered the opportunity to make an opening statement, including the names of any witnesses the respondent(s) desires to call in defense. A respondent may elect to make the opening statement just prior to the presentation of evidence by the respondent(s).
	d. 	The presentation of evidence on behalf of the state.
	e. 	The presentation of evidence on behalf of the respondent(s).
	f. 	Rebuttal evidence on behalf of the state, if any.
	g. 	Rebuttal evidence on behalf of the respondent(s), if any.
	h. 	Closing arguments first on behalf of the state, then on behalf of the respondent(s), and then on behalf of the state, if any. The order of proceedings will be tailored to the nature of the contested case. In license reinstatement hearings, for example, the respondent will generally present evidence first because the respondent is obligated to present evidence in support of the respondent’s application for reinstatement pursuant to rule 641—33.40(17A,272C). In license denial hearings, the state will generally first establish the basis for the board’s denial of licensure, but thereafter the applicant has the burden of establishing the conditions for licensure pursuant to rule 641—33.36(17A,105,272C).
	33.24(5) Decorum. The presiding officer will maintain the decorum of the hearing and may refuse to admit or may expel anyone whose conduct is disorderly.
	33.24(6) Immunity. The presiding officer has authority to grant immunity from disciplinary action to a witness, as provided by Iowa Code section 272C.6(3), but only upon the unanimous vote of all members of the board hearing the case. The official record of the hearing shall include the reasons for granting the immunity.
	33.24(7) Sequestering witnesses. The presiding officer, on the officer’s own motion or upon the request of a party, may sequester witnesses.
[ARC 7999C, IAB 5/15/24, effective 6/19/24]