(a) The applicant, or the certified representative on behalf of the applicant, may appeal the written decision of the Administrator on eligibility for disability benefits within 20 days after the applicant receives the Administrator’s decision.
(b) The Disability Arbitration Board must convene to consider an appeal within a reasonable time after the appeal is filed. The appeal and judicial review proceedings are governed by Sections 3-201 through 3-234 of the Maryland Arbitration Act.
(c) The Disability Arbitration Board must issue the decision quickly. The Board should issue the decision within 30 days after the hearing or receiving any post-hearing brief, whichever is later.
(d) The County must pay all reasonable fees and expenses of the arbitrator, as determined by the Chief Administrative Officer, except that a certified representative must pay any fee resulting from the cancellation of a scheduled hearing if the certified representative:
(1) causes a hearing to be canceled and the application remanded to the Disability Review Panel; or
(2) causes a hearing to be canceled and rescheduled on a later date. (1994 L.M.C., ch. 13, § 2; 1998 L.M.C., ch. 30, § 1; 1999 L.M.C., ch. 26, § 1.)