§15A-10-18. Independent informal dispute resolution.

(a) A license or certification holder adversely affected by an order or citation of a deficient practice issued pursuant to this article may request the independent informal dispute resolution process. A license or certificate holder may contest a cited deficiency as contrary to law or unwarranted by the facts or both.

(b) The State Fire Marshal has the authority to establish conference panels composed of three persons of the licensed or certified skill to decide the outcome of the independent informal dispute resolution process. One member shall be selected by the State Fire Marshal, one member shall be selected by the licensee or certificate holder, and one member shall be selected by agreement of both. If a vacancy occurs on the panel, the replacement for that member shall be made by the original individual who had selected such member. The members of the panel shall serve without compensation. This panel shall hear the matter and render a decision. The licensee or certificate holder may not be accompanied by counsel during the independent informal dispute resolution conference.

(c) Upon appeal of a decision rendered by the State Fire Marshal, the panel shall hold an informal conference affirming, modifying, or vacating an order of the State Fire Marshal, or issuing an order in the name of the State Fire Marshal. The panel shall forthwith notify the parties of its decision and as soon as practicable send written notices of its decision to the parties. The decision of the panel is final. The independent informal dispute resolution process is not a formal evidentiary proceeding.

(d) A party aggrieved by a decision of a panel may appeal pursuant to §29A-5-1 et seq. of this code.

(e) The State Fire Marshal shall promulgate a procedural rule to carry out the provisions of this section.