What happens if the employer disagrees with the citation and penalty?
If the employer disagrees with the citation and/or penalty, the first step is to file a notice of contest with the Assistant Commissioner. The employer must notify the Assistant Commissioner of intent to contest, in writing, within 15 working days after receipt of a citation and notification of penalty. Working days are Monday through Friday, excluding State holidays. The Notice of Contest must clearly state what is being contested: the citation, the penalty, the abatement date, or any combination. The employer has the option of having a formal hearing held in a MOSH regional office, in the county where the violation occurred, or in Baltimore City. Unless the employer wants the hearing held in Baltimore City, the employer must indicate the location preference when submitting the Notice of Contest. The employer also may request an informal conference. The employer may use the informal conference to obtain a more complete understanding of specific standards, discuss ways to correct the v
