Section 35IAC2-5-9. Administrative orders; proceedings; reviews

   (a) The purpose of this rule is to establish procedures to process petitioner appeals of the 1977 police officers' and firefighters' pension and disability fund staff action, determinations, or decisions referred to as "staff action" in accordance with and pursuant to the Indiana Administrative Orders and Procedures Act (Act), IC 4-21.5-3.

  (b) Pursuant to IC 4-21.5-3-28, the executive director (ED) as the board's delegate is the ultimate authority and has set forth the following review process to be followed before a final order is issued:

(1) The 1977 police officers' and firefighters' pension and disability fund will issue an initial determination of its response to a questioned action.

(2) The initial determination will be sent by certified mail to the stakeholder with a summary of the member's right to administrative review.

(3) Pursuant to IC 4-21.5-3-5, the petitioner will have fifteen (15) days from receipt of the 1977 police officers' and firefighters' pension and disability fund's initial determination to appeal in writing.

(4) Upon receipt by the 1977 police officers' and firefighters' pension and disability fund, a copy of the appeal will be sent to the administrative law judge (ALJ) assigned to the matter.

(5) The assigned ALJ may set a prehearing conference to discuss issues of discovery and motions for summary judgment and to determine a briefing schedule.

(6) If an evidentiary hearing is required, the 1977 police officers' and firefighters' pension and disability fund shall provide space which is equipped with a recording device to conduct the hearing or engage a court reporter to make a record of the hearing if necessary.

(7) Once the ALJ has entered a decision and recommended order, the petitioner will have fifteen (15) days to object to the ALJ's decision.

(8) The ED will make a final determination to affirm, modify, or dissolve the ALJ's order. The executed final order will be mailed by certified mail to the ALJ and petitioner

(9) The petitioner has thirty (30) days from receipt of the final order to petition a court of jurisdiction for judicial review.

(10) If no petition for judicial review is filed within the thirty (30) day time period, the file is closed.

(11) This rule shall be interpreted to conform to the Act and shall be implemented pursuant to and in accordance with the Act.

  (c) This rule will apply to appeals filed pursuant to IC 5-10.3-8-5, IC 33-39-7-11, IC 33-38-6-23, and IC 2-3.5-3-4. (Board of Trustees of the Indiana Public Retirement System; 35 IAC 2-5-9; adopted Nov 19, 2010: 20101208-IR-035100722ONA)