13-188-22 Me. Code R. § 05

Current through 2024-38, September 18, 2024
Section 188-22-05 - Suspension, Revocation or Refusal to Reissue an Enhanced Retail Seafood License
A.Suspension or Revocation
1. The Commissioner may apply to the District Court for suspension of an enhanced retail seafood license where the holder has refused to allow a shellfish inspection or has violated a shellfish sanitation regulation. As provided by 12°M.R.S. § 6373, the Commissioner may apply for suspension in a summary action before the district court pursuant to the provisions of 4 M.R.S. §184.
2. The Commissioner may suspend an enhanced retail seafood license under 12 M.R.S. §6401 where the holder has been convicted of a violation of a marine resources law. The Commissioner shall follow the procedures set forth in 12 M.R.S. §§6351 to 6353 to impose such a suspension.
B. When the Department determines that a condition exists that presents an immediate threat to public health the Department may take any or all of the following actions to protect the public health:
1. Suspend the enhanced retail seafood license in accordance with 5 M.R.S. §10004 (3 & 4);
2. Require the holder of the enhanced retail seafood license to initiate a recall consistent with the procedures in Chapter 15.36, of any distributed shellfish or shellstock that are adulterated or may have become adulterated; and
3. Embargo and destroy any undistributed lots of shellstock that are adulterated or may have become adulterated consistent with the provisions of Chapter 15.23.
C. If the Commissioner determines that an applicant for renewal of an enhanced retail seafood license is not currently in compliance with shellfish sanitation regulations, or has failed to comply with shellfish sanitation regulations during the previous license period, the Commissioner may refuse renewal of the license in accordance with the following procedures:
1. The Commissioner shall advise the applicant for renewal by certified mail, return receipt requested, of the refusal and the grounds for this refusal.
2. The Commissioner shall advise the applicant for renewal that the applicant has a right to request that an adjudicatory hearing be held before the Department in conformity with 5 M.R.S., Chapter 375 subchapter IV. The Commissioner shall advise the applicant that the hearing must be requested in writing and that the written request must be received by the Department no later than 10 days of receipt by the applicant of the notice, by certified mail, of refusal to renew the enhanced retail seafood license.
3. If an adjudicatory hearing is requested, the Commissioner shall schedule a hearing within 10 days of the Department's receipt of the written request for hearing, unless a longer period is mutually agreed to in writing.
4. Notice of the hearing date, time and location shall be given immediately to the applicant.

13-188 C.M.R. ch. 22, § 05