SECTION 655:10-5-10. Use of definitions

(a)   Use and placement.

(1)   Definitions Sections vs Section definitions. If definitions are included in rules, they shall be placed as follows:

(A)   Definitions Sections. If the definitions apply to a Chapter, Subchapter, or Part, they are placed in a Section called "Definitions" near the beginning of the Chapter, Subchapter, or Part to which they apply.

(B)   Section definitions. If the definitions apply to a single Section, they are placed near the beginning of the Section to which they apply.

(2)   Use in text required. A definition should not be included unless the term being defined is used at least once in the remaining regulatory text of the applicable Chapter, Subchapter, Part, or Section.

(b)   Substantive provisions prohibited. Substantive provisions may not be included in a definition. For example, the second sentence of the following definition contains substantive regulatory provisions and should not be included in the definition: "Alcoholic beverage" means beer, wine, or liquor. An owner of a business establishment serving alcoholic beverages shall obtain a license.

(c)   Format of definitions Sections; introductory language. This subsection applies only to definitions Sections, as described in (a)(1)(A) of this Section. This subsection does not apply to Section definitions, as described in (a)(1)(B) of this Section.

(1)   Begin each definitions Section with the following language: "The following words and terms, when used in this (Chapter, Subchapter, Part), shall have the following meaning, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:". If necessary, the introductory language may be supplemented with additional information such as "In addition to terms defined in xxxx, the following …."

(2)   List definitions in alphabetical order. Do not number or otherwise designate definitions.

(3)   Indent the first line of each definition approximately 1/4 inch; do not indent succeeding lines of the definition (i.e., begin the lines at the left margin).

(4)   Enclose the defined word or term in quotation marks, followed by the word "means"; bold the defined word/term and the quotes.

(5)   Capitalize the first letter of the first word of the defined word or term; type subsequent words in a defined term in lowercase letters unless the word itself is a proper noun or its use otherwise requires capitalization.

(6)   End each definition with a period.

(7)   Begin enumerations within a definition at the subparagraph level [i.e., (A), (B), (C), etc.].

(d)   Format of Section definitions. Section definitions (i.e., definitions that apply only to the Section in which they appear, as described in (a)(1)(B) of this Section) are designated using the numbering scheme established for Section subdivisions [see 655:10-3-25] and are formatted accordingly.

[Source: Amended at 9 Ok Reg 1289, eff 2-12-92 (emergency); Amended at 9 Ok Reg 2983, eff 7-13-92; Amended at 15 Ok Reg 3353, eff 7-15-98]