Sec. 10.68.02.04. Action on Application

A. Application Review. Upon receipt of a completed application, the Department shall:

(1) Accept and review applications for accreditation of a CHW certification training program in accordance with a schedule established by the Department and made publicly available;

(2) Acknowledge receipt of an application within 10 calendar days after receiving the application;

(3) Act on an application within 60 calendar days after the training program has met all the application requirements; and

(4) Make a decision regarding application accreditation within 120 calendar days.

B. Application Review Committee.

(1) Training program applications will be reviewed by a Community Health Worker Training Program Application Review Committee consisting of:

(a) A community health worker;

(b) A State Community Health Worker Advisory Committee member;

(c) A health professions educator with expertise in curriculum development;

(d) AN MDH CHW certification program staff member; and

(e) As deemed necessary by the Department, an MDH program staff member with subject matter expertise in specialty areas.

(2) Individuals will be selected for the Training Program Application Review Committee by the Secretary after review of an application.

(3) The Review Committee shall review training program applications to determine whether a training program application meets the requirements set forth in this chapter.

(4) The Review Committee shall forward recommendations for accreditation of eligible training programs to the Secretary.

(5) The Secretary may approve and direct the Department to accredit a training program if the training program:

(a) Satisfies the requirements set forth in this chapter;

(b) Pays to the Department a fee set by the Department in regulation; and

(c) Participates in an on-site visit, if deemed necessary by the Department.

C. Approval of Accreditation Application. If the Department accredits a training program, the Department shall send the applicant written notice that the program is accredited.

D. Denial of Accreditation Application.

(1) The Department may deny accreditation if it determines that the training program has:

(a) Not complied fully with the applicable requirements described in this chapter;

(b) Failed to remit a fee; or

(c) Failed to complete the application form.

(2) If the Department denies accreditation, the Department shall:

(a) Send the applicant written notice of the Department’s denial of accreditation, including specific deficiencies; and

(b) Notify the applicant of the right to appeal the denial and to request a formal hearing.

(3) Within 30 calendar days after receipt of the denial, the training program may submit to the Department either:

(a) A written plan that sets forth the steps taken by the program to meet the applicable requirements described in this chapter; or

(b) A written response setting forth documentation that the program is meeting and maintaining each of the applicable requirements described in this chapter.

(4) Based on the deficiencies and the program’s written response, if any, the Department may approve or deny the application.

(5) Appealing a Decision to Deny an Application for Accreditation. A CHW certification training program may appeal the decision to deny an application by submitting the request in writing to the Department within 30 calendar days of the date on the notice of denial of application.

(6) If a CHW certification training program submits an appeal, the Department, within 60 calendar days, shall:

(a) Grant or deny the appeal; and

(b) Provide written notice to the applicant:

(i) Indicating whether the appeal has been granted or denied; and

(ii) Providing an explanation of the decision.

(7) The Department may not refund a fee if an accreditation is denied.

(8) An applicant may request a hearing within 10 calendar days after receipt of written notice of the Department’s denial. After receiving the request, the Department shall follow hearing procedures in accordance with COMAR 10.01.03.