Under IC 4-22-2-24, notice is hereby given that on February 6, 2012, at 9:00 a.m., at the Indiana Government Center South, 402 West Washington Street, Conference Center Room D, Indianapolis, Indiana, the Office of the Secretary of Family and Social Services will hold a public hearing on a proposed rule amending 405 IAC 1-1-2, 405 IAC 1.1-1-3, 405 IAC 2-10-5, and 405 IAC 9-5-2 to make administrative changes to the time limits and procedures for filing appeal requests by applicants or recipients, amending 405 IAC 1.1-1-1 to update definitions, and amending 405 IAC 2-3-24 to specify the time limits and procedures for filing a hardship exception request.

To comply with the provisions of IC 4-22-2-24(d)(3), the agency further states that the changes are necessary to clarify and update the rule and to make the provisions more efficient. The proposed rule concerns administrative procedures for filing and receiving an appeal request and is not expected to impose any costs on recipients or applicants wishing to appeal an adverse agency action. The proposed rule creates no unfunded mandates on state agencies or political subdivisions.

All parties interested in the proposed rule are invited to attend the public hearing and to offer public comments. In lieu of attendance at the public hearing, written comments may be sent to: IFSSA, Attention: Brandon Shirley c/o Cindy Stamper, 402 W. Washington St., Room W451, Indianapolis, IN 46204. Correspondence should be identified in the following manner: "COMMENT RE: LSA Document #11-724, Appeals Rule Change ". All written comments concerning the rule received by the Office of Medicaid Planning and Policy (OMPP) will be available for public inspection at the Office of General Counsel, 402 West Washington Street, Room W451, Indianapolis, Indiana.

Copies of the proposed rule and this notice are now available and may be inspected by contacting the director of the local county Division of Family Resources office, except in Marion County, where public inspection may be made at 402 West Washington Street, Room W451, Indianapolis, Indiana.

Copies of these rules are now on file at the Indiana Government Center South, 402 West Washington Street, Room W451 and Legislative Services Agency, 100 North Senate Avenue, Room N201, Indianapolis, Indiana and are open for public inspection.