Point of Entry into Proceedings and Mediation

(1) The notice of agency decision shall contain the information required by Section 120.569(1), F.S. The notice shall also advise whether mediation under Section 120.573, F.S., is available, and if available, that pursuit of mediation will not adversely affect the right to administrative proceedings in the event mediation does not result in a settlement.

(2) Unless otherwise provided by law, persons seeking a hearing on an agency decision which does or may determine their substantial interests shall file a petition for hearing with the agency within 21 days of receipt of written notice of the decision.

(3) An agency may, for good cause shown, grant a request for an extension of time for filing an initial pleading. Requests for extension of time must be filed with the agency prior to the applicable deadline. Such requests for extensions of time shall contain a certificate that the moving party has consulted with all other parties, if any, concerning the extension and that the agency and any other parties agree to or oppose the extension. A timely request for extension of time shall toll the running of the time period for filing a petition until the request is acted upon.

(4) Any person who receives written notice of an agency decision and who fails to file a written request for a hearing within 21 days waives the right to request a hearing on such matters. This provision does not eliminate the availability of equitable tolling as a defense.

(5) The agency may publish, and any person who has timely requested mediation may, at the person’s own expense, cause the agency to publish, a notice of the existence of the mediation proceeding in the Florida Administrative Register or in a newspaper of general circulation in the affected area. The mediation notice can be included in the notice of intended agency action.

(a) The notice of the mediation proceeding shall include:

1. A statement that the mediation could result in a settlement adopted by final agency action;

2. A statement that the final action arising from mediation may be different from the intended action set forth in the notice which resulted in a timely request for mediation;

3. A statement that any person whose substantial interests may be affected by the outcome of the mediation shall within 21 days of the notice of mediation proceeding file a request with the agency to participate in the mediation; and

4. An explanation of the procedures for filing such a request.

(b) The notice shall also advise that in the absence of a timely request to participate in the mediation, any person whose substantial interests are or may be affected by the result of the mediation waives any right to participate in the mediation.