Panel grants continuance to question Norwich officer, denies in-person phone inspection request and orders executive session for minor testimony

A professional licensing panel granted a short continuance so respondent counsel could call a Norwich Police Department officer to explain inconsistencies between a Department of Children and Families (DCF) report and a sworn statement from the minor patient's mother.

The panel denied the respondent's request to conduct portions of the hearing in person for the purpose of inspecting the cellular phones of the minor and the minor's mother, citing concerns about authority under the Uniform Administrative Procedure Act (UAPA), privilege, HIPAA protections and the practical difficulties of inspecting private devices in a public administrative hearing. Chairman Wolf told counsel, "Attorney Satti, your request for in person hearing at this time has been denied." Linda Fazina, representing the Department of Public Health, said the department had "no objection" to sealing a video…