1301:5-3-14 Settlement agreements.

(A) Any real estate broker, real estate salesperson who has been notified by the superintendent of a hearing to be held by a hearing examiner pursuant to Chapter 119. of the Revised Code for the purpose of determining whether a violation(s) of section 4735.18 of the Revised Code occurred by such licensee may enter into a settlement agreement with the superintendent.

(B) The settlement agreement shall contain the following information:

(1) A description of the conduct which the superintendent alleges the licensee committed,

(2) An admission by the licensee that the licensee engaged in such conduct,

(3) An acknowledgement by the licensee that such conduct admitted to constitutes a violation of section 4735.18 of the Revised Code,

(4) A waiver by the licensee of their right to an administrative hearing pursuant to Chapter 119. of the Revised Code,

(5) An acknowledgement by the licensee that the licensee had the opportunity to review the settlement agreement with his/her legal counsel,

(6) Recommendation of a sanction, if any, which the superintendent believes should be imposed by the Ohio real estate commission on the licensee for the admitted violation(s) of section 4735.18 of the Revised Code. However, the superintendent may choose not to make any recommendation as to a sanction and leave that solely within the discretion of the Ohio real estate commission,

(7) An acknowledgement by the parties that the settlement agreement, if accepted and adopted by the Ohio real estate commission, will become a final order,

(8) A waiver by the licensee of all appeals pursuant to section 119.12 of the Revised Code and right to reconsideration pursuant to section 4735.19 of the Revised Code, and

(9) Any other provision which the superintendent deems to be appropriate.

(C) If a settlement agreement is accepted by the licensee and the division, the formal hearing shall be continued and the terms of the settlement agreement shall be presented to the Ohio real estate commission at their next regularly scheduled meeting. All settlement agreements are contingent on the approval of the Ohio real estate commission.

(D) The superintendent shall not enter into any settlement agreements with a licensee if the superintendent knows it is not the licensee’s free and voluntary act to enter into such an agreement.

(E) Upon reviewing a proposed settlement agreement, the Ohio real estate commission may accept, modify or reject said proposal. No modifications to such an agreement may become a final order without the agreement and consent of the licensee.

Effective: 03/26/2007

R.C. 119.032 review dates: 12/22/2006 and 06/30/2011

Promulgated Under: 119.03

Statutory Authority: 4735.10

Rule Amplifies: 4735.051, 4735.10

Prior Effective Dates: 5/1/1990, 9/24/2000