# 2026-22761: Labor Department Moves Its Administrative Hearings Online, One Filing at a Time 2026-22761, Rules of Practice and Procedure for Administrative Hearings Before the Office of Administrative Law Judges, is a Federal Register rule from Labor Department published 2026-11-09, effective 2026-12-09 (as of 2026-11-11). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-22761 - As of: 2026-11-11 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Document number: 2026-22761 - Title: Rules of Practice and Procedure for Administrative Hearings Before the Office of Administrative Law Judges - Type: Rule - Agencies: Labor Department - Citation: 91 FR 70790 - Published: 2026-11-09 - Effective: 2026-12-09 - Comments close: not stated - Significant: no - Touches household money: no - Regulation identifier numbers: 1290-AA36 - Last updated: 2026-11-11 ## In one line Labor Department Moves Its Administrative Hearings Online, One Filing at a Time ## Summary Starting December 9, 2026, all legal filings in hearings before the Department of Labor’s Office of Administrative Law Judges must be done electronically, making the process faster and more modern. This change affects lawyers, representatives, and anyone involved in these hearings, but self-represented folks get some helpful exceptions. The new rule also requires clear advance notice about how hearings will happen—whether in person, by phone, or online. ## Abstract This action finalizes the Department of Labor's (DOL or Department) proposal to require electronic filing (e-filing) in proceedings before the Office of Administrative Law Judges (OALJ), published on January 11, 2021. The Department has reviewed the comments received in response to the proposal and is now implementing the rule as described in the proposed rule of January 11, 2021, with appropriate exceptions for good cause shown and self-represented parties. ## Effects PRIA read - Mandatory e‑filing for represented parties: cost, medium. Starting December 9, 2026, if you are represented by an attorney or non‑attorney representative you must file papers using the Department of Labor's eFile/eServe system unless the presiding judge allows another form of filing for good cause or a standing order requires otherwise. - Self‑represented parties keep paper option: benefit, low. A person who is not represented (a self‑represented or pro se party) may either use the Department's eFile/eServe system or continue to file by conventional paper or other non‑electronic means under the final rule. - Electronic signature and automatic e‑service: benefit, low. A filing made through a person's eFile/eServe account that is authorized by that person, together with the person's name on a signature block, counts as that person's signature. Anyone required or who opts to file electronically is deemed to have consented to electronic service of documents. - Electronic filing deadline set by judge's time zone: cost, low. For electronic filing, the "last day" to file ends at 11:59:59 p.m. in the time zone of the presiding judge's office (or, if unassigned, in the time zone of the Chief Judge's office). - Advance notice of hearing manner (14 days): benefit, low. Except when scheduled by calendar call, the judge must notify parties at least 14 days before the hearing of the hearing's date, time, place, and the manner of the hearing — whether in person, by telephone, by videoconference, or by other means. - Exhibits: electronic filing required for e‑filers: cost, medium. Parties who are required to e‑file or who opt to e‑file must electronically file any exhibits they will offer in evidence, unless the exhibit cannot reasonably be filed in electronic form; the rule also sets rules for numbering, exchange, and a 7‑day prehearing authenticity objection deadline. - Agency says e‑filing will cut mail costs and speed cases: benefit, low. The Department states that increased use of e‑filing and e‑service will reduce case processing times by eliminating mailing delays and will greatly reduce mailing and copying costs for both the Office of Administrative Law Judges and the parties. - Remote public access to case files limited: cost, low. The rule limits general remote access by non‑parties to OALJ and Board electronic case files due to personal and business information in those files; non‑parties may obtain case files through FOIA or other alternative means. ## Related documents - [2026-22680](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-22680): Prohibiting Illegal Discrimination in Registered Apprenticeship Programs, 2026-11-06 - [2026-22306](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-22306): Improving Transparency Into Pharmacy Benefit Manager Fee Disclosure, 2026-11-02 - [2026-20447](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20447): Transparency in Coverage, 2026-10-06 - [2026-18978](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-18978): Federal-State Unemployment Compensation (UC) Program; Data Availability, 2026-09-16 - [2026-17622](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-17622): Federal Independent Dispute Resolution Operations; Correction, 2026-08-28 - [2026-17114](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-17114): Rescission of Executive Order 11246 Implementing Regulations, 2026-08-21 ## Sources - [2026-22761 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/11/09/2026-22761/rules-of-practice-and-procedure-for-administrative-hearings-before-the-office-of-administrative-law) - [2026-22761 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-11-09/pdf/2026-22761.pdf) ## Related - [Previous: 2026-22750, Calendar Year 2027 Home Health Prospective Payment System (HH PPS) Rate Update;…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-22750) - [Next: 2026-22772, Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program-Limited Party Concessions](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-22772) - [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-22761 (as of 2026-11-11).