(a) A respondent shall enter an appearance by filing a written answer or other pleading with the State Office of Administrative Hearings, with a copy to the Board, within 20 days of the date on which the notice of hearing and formal complaint was served.
(b) A respondent's failure to timely enter an appearance shall entitle the Board to a continuance at the hearing.
(c) The notice of hearing must contain the following in capital letters in 10-point boldface type: FAILURE TO ENTER AN APPEARANCE BY FILING A WRITTEN ANSWER OR OTHER RESPONSIVE PLEADING TO THE NOTICE OF HEARING AND FORMAL COMPLAINT WITHIN 20 DAYS OF THE DATE THIS NOTICE WAS MAILED SHALL ENTITLE THE BOARD TO A CONTINUANCE AT THE TIME OF THE HEARING.

Source Note: The provisions of this §81.5 adopted to be effective June 30, 2020, 45 TexReg 4030