37-1-309. Notice -- request for hearing. (1) If a reasonable cause determination is made pursuant to 37-1-307 that a violation of this part has occurred and the provisions of 37-1-321 do not apply, a notice must be prepared by department legal staff and served on the alleged violator. The notice may be served by certified mail to the current address on file with the board or by other means authorized by the Montana Rules of Civil Procedure. The notice may not allege a violation of a particular statute, rule, or standard unless the board or the board's screening panel, if one has been established, has made a written determination that there are reasonable grounds to believe that the particular statute, rule, or standard has been violated.

(2) A licensee or license applicant shall give the board the licensee's or applicant's current address and any change of address within 30 days of the change.

(3) The notice must state that the licensee or license applicant may request a hearing to contest the charge or charges. A request for a hearing must be in writing and received in the offices of the department within 20 days after the licensee's receipt of the notice. Failure to request a hearing constitutes a default on the charge or charges, and the board may enter a decision on the basis of the facts available to it.