Background

This transmittal adds section I-2-2-40 to the Hearings, Appeals and Litigation Law (HALLEX) manual to provide an administrative law judge (ALJ) with instructions for referring policy or procedural issues.

Explanation of Content and Changes

HALLEX I-2-2-40 is organized as follows:

I-2-2-40 – We titled the section “Administrative Law Judge Referrals for Possible Policy or Procedural Issues.”

I-2-2-40 A – We titled the subsection “Requesting Policy or Procedural Advice” and provided instructions on when and how an ALJ may refer a policy or procedural question.

I-2-2-40 B – We titled the subsection “Requesting a Legal Opinion” and explained when it is appropriate for an ALJ to request a legal opinion from the Office of the General Counsel. We also provided instructions for submitting the request.

Date: January 19, 2016