R137-1-20. Public Hearings

  A CSRO hearing is open to the public unless there are reasonable grounds to justify an executive session for either part or all of a hearing. This provision does not apply to witnesses who are being called to testify according to R137-1-19.

  (1) Closing Hearings. All grievance procedure hearings shall be open to the public except as follows:

  (a) The administrator or the CSRO hearing officer may close either a portion or an entire hearing based upon reasonable grounds.

  (b) A Level 4 hearing may be closed in part or in its entirety when the proceeding involves discussion about a state employee's character, professional competence, or physical or mental health according to Subsection 52-4-205(1)(a) of the Open and Public Meetings statute.

  (2) Sealing Evidence. The administrator or the CSRO hearing officer may seal the record when appropriate according to Subsection 67-19a-406(4)(c).

  (3) Media Presence. All hearings at Level 4 are open to the media, unless closed pursuant to R137-1-20(1) above. However, television cameras are not permitted at Level 4 proceedings.

  (4) Distribution of Decisions. Once the grievance process, including all administrative appeals, has been completed and if the agency's decision was sustained, the administrator may provide copies of legal decisions, orders, and rulings to the public upon request. Portions of or entire legal decisions and orders may be withheld if deemed to be legally privileged or protected under the state's Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA), or if the record is sealed according to the Open and Public Meetings statute.