Sec. 161.159. PRELIMINARY REVIEW: RESPONSE BY RESPONDENT. (a) If the alleged violation is a Category One violation:

(1) the respondent must respond to the notice required by Section 161.156(b) not later than the 14th day after the date the respondent receives the notice; and

(2) if the matter is not resolved by agreement between the standing preliminary review committee and the respondent before the 30th day after the date the committee receives the respondent's response to the notice given under Section 161.156(b), the committee shall set the matter for a preliminary review hearing to be held at the next committee meeting.

(b) If the alleged violation is a Category Two violation:

(1) the respondent must respond to the notice required by Section 161.156(b) not later than the 14th day after the date the respondent receives the notice under Section 161.156(b); and

(2) if the matter is not resolved by agreement between the standing preliminary review committee and the respondent before the 30th day after the date the committee receives the respondent's response to the notice given under Section 161.156(b), the committee shall set the matter for a preliminary review hearing to be held at the next committee meeting.

(c) A respondent's failure to timely respond as required by Subsection (a)(1) or (b)(1) is a Category One violation.

(d) The response required by Subsection (a) or (b) must include any challenge the respondent seeks to raise to the commission's exercise of jurisdiction. In addition, the respondent may:

(1) acknowledge the occurrence or commission of a violation;

(2) deny the allegations contained in the complaint and provide evidence supporting the denial; or

(3) agree to enter into an assurance of voluntary compliance or other agreed order, which may include an agreement to immediately cease and desist.

(e) If the standing preliminary review committee sets the matter for a preliminary review hearing, the committee shall promptly send to the complainant and the respondent written notice of the date, time, and place of the preliminary review hearing.

Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 799 (S.B. 1368), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.

Amended by:

Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 160 (H.B. 2002), Sec. 9, eff. September 1, 2011.

Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 75 (S.B. 334), Sec. 2, eff. May 18, 2013.