Sec. 151.709. NOTICE, HEARING, AND OTHER PROCEDURES FOR NONEMERGENCY ORDERS. (a) This section applies to an order issued by the commissioner under this subchapter that is not an emergency order.

(b) An order to which this section applies becomes effective only after notice and an opportunity for hearing. The order must:

(1) state the grounds on which the order is based;

(2) to the extent applicable, state the action or violation from which the person subject to the order must cease and desist or the affirmative action the person must take to correct a condition resulting from the violation or that is otherwise appropriate;

(3) be delivered by personal delivery or sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the person against whom the order is directed at the person's last known address;

(4) state the effective date of the order, which may not be before the 21st day after the date the order is delivered or mailed; and

(5) include a notice that a person may file a written request for a hearing on the order with the commissioner not later than the 20th day after the date the order is delivered or mailed.

(c) Unless the commissioner receives a written request for hearing from the person against whom the order is directed not later than the 20th day after the date the order is delivered or mailed, the order takes effect as stated in the order and is final against and nonappealable by that person from that date.

(d) A hearing on the order must be held not later than the 45th day after the date the commissioner receives the written request for the hearing unless the administrative law judge extends the period for good cause or the parties agree to a later hearing date.

(e) An order that has been affirmed or modified after a hearing becomes effective and is final for purposes of enforcement and appeal immediately on issuance. The order may be appealed to the district court of Travis County as provided by Section 151.801(b).

Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 1099 (H.B. 2218), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2005.