SECTION 310:2-31-24. Inquiry decision, notification, and confidentiality

(a)   Decision by deciding official. The RIO will transmit the final report and any comments to the Deciding Official, who will make the determination of whether findings from the inquiry provide sufficient evidence of possible scientific misconduct to justify conducting an investigation. The inquiry is completed when the Deciding Official makes this determination, which will be made within 60 days of the first meeting of the inquiry committee. Any extension of this period will be based on good cause and recorded in the inquiry file.

(b)   Notification. The RIO will notify both the respondent and the whistleblower in writing of the Deciding Official's decision of whether to proceed to an investigation and will remind them of their obligation to cooperate in the event an investigation is opened. The RIO will also notify all appropriate institutional officials of the Deciding Official's decision.

(c)   Confidentiality. A decision recommending further investigation pursuant to subsection (a) above shall be deemed to be confidential pursuant to 51 O.S. § 24A.12 and shall not be publicly disseminated beyond the persons identified in subsection (b) above.

[Source: Added at 36 Ok Reg 1649, eff 9-13-19]