PRIA, Government Policy, Made Personal

Summary

Secretary may send a complaint to a recipient who is believed to be breaking the law. The complaint must explain the facts and legal basis and give a hearing date at least 30 days after it is served. The recipient may appear at the hearing and defend itself. Hearing testimony is put in writing. If the Office finds a violation, it will write its findings and order the recipient to stop the practice. The report and order become final when the recipient gets them. The Secretary can enforce the final order by withholding any payments, including administrative funds, or by referring the matter to the Attorney General for action.

Title 20, §1234e

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(a)Issuance and contents of complaint

In accordance with section 1234c of this title, the Secretary may issue to a recipient under an applicable program a complaint which—

(1)describes the factual and legal basis for the Secretary’s belief that the recipient is failing to comply substantially with a requirement of law; and

(2)contains a notice of a hearing to be held before the Office on a date at least 30 days after the service of the complaint.

(b)Appearance contesting order

The recipient upon which a complaint has been served shall have the right to appear before the Office on the date specified and to show cause why an order should not be entered by the Office requiring the recipient to cease and desist from the violation of law charged in the complaint.

(c)Report; issuance of cease and desist order

The testimony in any hearing held under this section shall be reduced to writing and filed with the Office. If upon that hearing the Office is of the opinion that the recipient is in violation of any requirement of law as charged in the complaint, the Office shall—

(1)make a report in writing stating its findings of fact; and

(2)issue to the recipient an order requiring the recipient to cease and desist from the practice, policy, or procedure which resulted in the violation.

(d)Report and order as final agency action

The report and order of the Office under this section shall become the final agency action when the recipient receives the report and order.

(e)Enforcement of final order

The Secretary may enforce a final order of the Office under this section which becomes final agency action by—

(1)withholding from the recipient any portion of the amount payable to it, including the amount payable for administrative costs, under the applicable program; or

(2)certifying the facts to the Attorney General who shall cause an appropriate proceeding to be brought for the enforcement of the order.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1988—Pub. L. 100–297 amended section generally, substituting provisions relating to cease and desist orders for provisions relating to use of recovered funds. See section 1234h of this title.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

of 1988 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 100–297 effective 180 days after Apr. 28, 1988, but not applicable to recipients receiving written notice to return funds prior to that date, see section 3501(b) of Pub. L. 100–297, set out as a note under section 1234 of this title.

§1234e Cease and Desist Orders