Section 206. Hearing committees and special masters

(a) When a hearing committee is required to handle a matter, the Board shall appoint a hearing committee consisting of three hearing committee members from the appropriate disciplinary district. At least one of the members of the hearing committee shall be a senior hearing committee member, and another member shall be either a senior hearing committee member or an experienced hearing committee member. The Board shall designate one of the members so appointed as the chair for the committee, who shall be a senior hearing committee member. The terms of hearing committee members shall be three years and no member shall serve for more than two consecutive three-year terms. Board rules may authorize a hearing committee member whose term has expired to continue to serve until the conclusion of any matter commenced before the member prior to the expiration of such term. A hearing committee member who has served two consecutive three-year terms may be reappointed after the expiration of one year. A hearing committee shall act only with the concurrence of a majority of its members and two members shall constitute a quorum, except that a single senior or experienced hearing committee member may act for the committee when the committee is sitting as an investigatory hearing committee under Enforcement Rule 213(a)(1) (relating to subpoena power, depositions and related matters), or when conducting a prehearing conference The terms of hearing committee members shall commence on July 1.

(b) Hearing committees shall have the power and duty:

(1) To conduct investigatory hearings and hearings into formal charges of misconduct upon assignment by the Board or the Secretary of the Board (see Enforcement Rule 205(c)(5)).

(2) To submit their conclusions set forth as prescribed by Board rules, together with the record of the hearing, to the Board.

(c) If a member of a hearing committee becomes disqualified or otherwise unavailable to serve with respect to any particular matter, the Secretary shall designate a replacement.

(d) A special master instead of a hearing committee may be assigned by the Board to conduct an investigatory hearing or formal proceeding where it appears that the hearing or proceeding may be protracted and should be conducted continuously from day to day until conclusion.

(e) A special master shall have the power and duty:

(1) To conduct investigatory hearings and hearings into formal charges of misconduct upon assignment by the Board (see Enforcement Rule 205(c)(5)).

(2) To submit his or her conclusions set forth as prescribed by Board rules, together with the record of the hearing into formal charges, to the Board.

The provisions of this Rule 206 amended through April 1, 1983, effective April 2, 1983, 13 Pa.B. 1179; amended December 6, 1989, effective December 23, 1989, 19 Pa.B. 5421; amended January 13, 1993, effective January 30, 1993, 23 Pa.B. 538; amended March 15, 1994, effective immediately, 24 Pa.B. 1671; amended September 9, 2004, effective September 25, 2004, 34 Pa.B. 5244. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (300782) to (300783).