50-57-209. Refusal of local health officer to validate -- appeal to board. (1) A local health officer may refuse to validate a license issued by the department only if the local health officer determines that the applicant has not met the requirements for the issuance of the license under this chapter or rules adopted by the department under this chapter. The local health officer shall notify the applicant and the department of the refusal within 5 days of the decision not to validate. The notice must state the grounds for the refusal.

(2) The applicant may appeal the decision of the local health officer to the local board of health by filing a written notice of appeal with the local health officer and the local board of health within 30 days of the local health officer's refusal to validate a license or within 30 days of the expiration of the period for the local health officer's decision under 50-57-208, whichever is first.

(3) Upon the filing of the notice of appeal, the applicant is entitled to a hearing before the local board of health to determine the applicant's eligibility for a license under this chapter and department rules adopted under this chapter. The hearing must be held pursuant to the contested case procedure of the Montana Administrative Procedure Act. If the local board of health finds that the applicant is entitled to a validated license, the presiding officer of the local board of health shall validate the license by signing the license.