Section 339.508 - Formal complaint and notice; service; options; attendance at informal conference; methods of settlement; representation(1) After an investigation has been conducted and a formal complaint prepared, the department shall serve the formal complaint upon the respondent and the complainant. At the same time, the department shall serve the respondent with a notice describing the compliance conference and hearing processes and offering the respondent a choice of 1 of the following opportunities: (a) An opportunity to meet with the department to negotiate a settlement of the matter.(b) If the respondent is a licensee or registrant under this act, an opportunity to demonstrate compliance prior to holding a contested case hearing, as required by section 92 of the administrative procedures act of 1969, Act No. 306 of the Public Acts of 1969, being section 24.292 of the Michigan Compiled Laws.(c) An opportunity to proceed to a contested case hearing as set forth in section 71 of Act No. 306 of the Public Acts of 1969, being section 24.271 of the Michigan Compiled Laws.(2) A respondent upon whom service of a formal complaint has been made pursuant to this section may select, within 15 days after the receipt of notice, 1 of the options described in subsection (1). If a respondent does not select 1 of those options within the time period described in this section, then the department shall proceed to a contested case hearing as described in subsection (1)(c).(3) An informal conference may be attended by a member of the board, at the discretion of that board, or by a member of a committee and may result in a settlement, consent order, waiver, default, or other method of settlement agreed upon by the parties and the department. A settlement may include the revocation, suspension, or limitation of a license or registration; censure; probation; restitution; or a penalty provided for in article 6. A board may reject a settlement and require a contested case hearing under section 71 of Act No. 306 of the Public Acts of 1969, as amended, being section 24.271 of the Michigan Compiled Laws.(4) An authorized employee or agent of the department may represent the department in any contested case hearing held pursuant to Act No. 306 of the Public Acts of 1969.1980, Act 299, Imd. Eff. 10/21/1980 ;--Am. 1989, Act 261, Eff. 1/1/1990.