(a) Time for filing of initial determination.

(1) Except as may otherwise be ordered by the Commission, within ninety (90) days of the date of issuance of the charging letter, the administrative law judge shall certify the record to the Commission and shall file with the Commission an initial determination as to whether each charged party has committed a prohibited act, and as to appropriate sanctions.

(2) The administrative law judge may request the Commission to extend the time period for issuance of the initial determination for good cause shown.

(b) Contents of the initial determination. The initial determination shall include the following:

(1) An opinion making all necessary findings of fact and conclusions of law and the reasons therefor, and

(2) A statement that the initial determination shall become the determination of the Commission unless a party files a petition for review of the determination pursuant to §207.115 or the Commission pursuant to §207.116 of this subpart, orders on its own motion a review of the initial determination or certain issues therein.

(c) Burden of proof. A finding that a charged party committed a prohibited act shall be supported by clear and convincing evidence.

(d) Effect of initial determination. The initial determination shall become the determination of the Commission forty-five (45) days after the date of service of the initial determination, unless the Commission within such time orders review of the initial determination or certain issues therein pursuant to §207.115 or §207.116 of this subpart or by order shall have changed the effective date of the initial determination. In the event an initial determination becomes the determination of the Commission, the parties shall be notified thereof by the Commission Secretary.