Section 45-19-37. Appointment of special master to conduct hearing on complaint; procedure

   (a) Unless the administrator has issued an order dismissing the complaint or stating the terms of a conciliation agreement within 90 days after a complaint is filed, the administrator shall request that the Governor appoint, from the list provided for by subsection (e) of Code Section 45-19-23, a special master to conduct a hearing in accordance with this article. Not more than 15 working days after such request, the Governor shall select and appoint a special master who must be an attorney licensed to practice law in this state. The special master shall have all of the power and authority granted to agencies in conducting hearings and rendering final orders under Chapter 13 of Title 50, the "Georgia Administrative Procedure Act," including but not limited to subpoena power.

(b) Not more than seven days after the appointment of the special master, the administrator shall serve on the respondent and on the complainant or the complainant's attorney by registered or certified mail or statutory overnight delivery a written notice together with a copy of the complaint requiring the respondent to answer the charges contained therein at a hearing before the special master at a time and place specified in the notice. Such notice must contain all general and specific charges against the respondent.

(c) The respondent shall serve an answer with the special master by registered or certified mail or statutory overnight delivery not more than 20 working days after receipt of the notice of hearing, which 20 working days may be extended by the special master in the special master's discretion for an additional time not to exceed ten working days. The respondent's answer must show by a certificate of service that the respondent has served a copy of the answer on the complainant or the complainant's attorney at the last known address of the complainant or the complainant's attorney where complainant is represented by an attorney. Upon leave of the special master, the complainant may amend the charges contained in the notice of hearing. The respondent may amend an answer at any time prior to the hearing or, upon leave of the special master, may amend thereafter. No final order shall be issued unless the respondent has had the opportunity of a hearing on the charges contained in the notice of hearing or amendment on which the final order is based. If the respondent fails to answer the complaint, the special master may enter the respondent's default. Unless the default is set aside for good cause shown, the hearing may proceed on the evidence in support of the complaint.

(d) At any time after a notice of hearing is served upon a respondent, discovery shall be authorized in the same manner and fashion as discovery is permitted under Code Sections 9-11-26 through 9-11-37. Any order contemplated in Code Sections 9-11-26 through 9-11-37 may be issued by the special master. Judicial enforcement of any such order may be obtained by the complainant or respondent in the same manner as is provided for the enforcement of final orders in Code Section 45-19-40.

(e) A respondent who has filed an answer or whose default in answering has been set aside for good cause shown may appear at the hearing, may examine and cross-examine witnesses and the complainant, and may offer evidence. The complainant and, at the discretion of the special master, any other person may intervene, examine and cross-examine witnesses, and present evidence.

(f) Efforts at conference, conciliation, and persuasion shall not be received in evidence.

(g) Testimony taken at the hearing shall be under oath and shall be stenographically or otherwise recorded by a certified court reporter. After the hearing, the special master at the special master's discretion may take further evidence or hear arguments upon notice to all parties with an opportunity to be present.

(h) Except as otherwise specifically provided for in this article, all proceedings of the special master shall be conducted as provided for with respect to contested cases in Chapter 13 of Title 50.

(i) A complainant may retain at the complainant's own expense private counsel to represent the complainant in any proceeding provided for under this article; however, the complainant may utilize the services of an individual employed by the administrator pursuant to paragraph (3) of Code Section 45-19-27 in presenting the complainant's case before the special master.

Ga. L. 1978, p. 859, § 1; Ga. L. 1983, p. 1097, § 1; Ga. L. 1984, p. 22, § 45; Ga. L. 2000, p. 1589, § 3.