Section 282.11.21. Hearing procedures.

       11.21(1) The presiding officer presides at the hearing and may rule on motions, require briefs, issue a proposed decision, and issue such orders and rulings as will ensure the orderly conduct of the proceedings. If the presiding officer is the board or a panel thereof, an administrative law judge from the Iowa department of inspections and appeals may be designated to assist the board in conducting proceedings under this chapter. An administrative law judge so designated may rule upon motions and other procedural matters and assist the board in conducting the hearing.

       11.21(2) All objections shall be timely made and stated on the record.

       11.21(3) Legal representation.

        a.           The respondent has a right to participate in all hearings or prehearing conferences and may be represented by an attorney or another person authorized by law.

        b.           The office of the attorney general or an attorney designated by the executive director shall be responsible for prosecuting complaint allegations in all contested case proceedings before the board, except those cases in which the sole allegation involves the failure of a practitioner to fulfill contractual obligations. The assistant attorney general or other designated attorney assigned to prosecute a contested case before the board shall not represent the board or the complainant in that case, but shall represent the public interest.

        c.           In a case in which the sole allegation involves the failure of a practitioner to fulfill contractual obligations, the person who files the complaint with the board, or the complainant’s designee, shall represent the complainant during the contested case proceedings.

       11.21(4) Subject to terms and conditions prescribed by the presiding officer, parties have the right to introduce evidence on issues of material fact, cross-examine witnesses present at the hearing as necessary for a full and true disclosure of the facts, present evidence in rebuttal, and submit briefs and engage in oral argument.

       11.21(5) The presiding officer shall maintain the decorum of the hearing and may refuse to admit or may expel anyone whose conduct is disorderly.

       11.21(6) Witnesses may be sequestered during the hearing.

       11.21(7) The presiding officer shall conduct the hearing in the following manner:

        a.           The presiding officer shall give an opening statement briefly describing the nature of the proceedings;

        b.           The parties shall be given an opportunity to present opening statements;

        c.           Parties shall present their cases in the sequence determined by the presiding officer;

        d.           Each witness shall be sworn or affirmed by the presiding officer or the court reporter and be subject to examination and cross-examination. The presiding officer may limit questioning in a manner consistent with law;

        e.           When all parties and witnesses have been heard, parties may be given the opportunity to present final arguments.