(a) (1) The Department may refer to the Committee for its consideration:
(i) a provider’s application for a renewal certificate of registration after review by the Department; or
(ii) a finding of possible financial difficulty, at any time.
(2) The Department shall provide to the Committee any materials the Department considers necessary.
(b) (1) The Committee shall review the referral from the Department and may request additional information from the Department.
(2) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, within 45 days after receipt of a referral, the Committee shall notify the Department in writing whether the Committee recommends that the Department:
(i) find the provider in financial difficulty; and
(ii) find that the financial difficulty, if any, includes a significant risk of financial failure in accordance with § 10-469 of this subtitle.
(3) In making a recommendation to the Department, the Committee shall state the reason for the recommendation.
(c) (1) The Committee may request from the Secretary one 30-day extension of the deadline under subsection (b)(2) of this section.
(2) The Secretary may grant or deny the extension.