Louisiana Administrative Code
Title 46 - PROFESSIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL STANDARDS
Part XXV - Credentialed Social Workers
Chapter 9 - Procedural Rules
Section XXV-933 - Conduct of Hearing; Record

A. Adjudication hearings are generally conducted in open session, except where closed or executive session is specifically authorized by law, as identified in these rules.

B. At the adjudication hearing, the assistant attorney general and the respondent and respondent's counsel shall be afforded the opportunity to present evidence on all issues of fact and argument on all issues of law and policy involved. They will also have opportunity to call, examine, and cross-examine witnesses, and to offer and introduce documentary evidence and exhibits as may be required for a full and true disclosure of the facts and disposition of the complaint.

C. The board through its administrator shall arrange for a certified court reporter/stenographer who shall be retained by the board to prepare a written transcript of the proceedings.

D. During the hearing, the presiding officer of the hearing panel shall rule upon all evidentiary objections and other procedural questions, but in his or her discretion may consult with the entire hearing panel in executive session. The independent counsel may assist the presiding officer and the hearing panel, either in open session or executive session, in ruling on evidentiary objections and other procedural issues raised during the hearing.

E. The record in an adjudication shall include the items specified in R.S. 37:2717 and R.S. 49:955. The record shall also contain the administrative complaint, the notice of hearing, the respondent's response to the complaint (if any), copies of subpoenas issued in connection with the case or the hearing of the adjudication, as well as all pleadings, motions and intermediate rulings.

F. The order of presentation in adjudication proceedings, unless the parties stipulate otherwise and the hearing panel approves, is first the presentation of evidence by the assistant attorney general, the presentation of evidence by the respondent, rebuttal by the assistant attorney general (if any). Rebuttal should be directed to issues raised by the evidence and defenses presented by respondent's case. Should the hearing panel determine, in the interest of fairness, that respondent be provided a limited opportunity to present additional evidence following rebuttal, the panel may so order.

G. Hearing panel members may direct questions to any witness at any time during the hearing process. Should questions posed by the hearing panel members suggest the need for additional direct examination, cross-examination or redirect examination by either party, the hearing panel will allow such additional examination as it deems appropriate.