2025 MFTHBA Rulebook

24 J. In the event the mediation does not result in a resolution; the Board shall establish a special disciplinary hearings board for the express purpose of dealing with the subject complaint. The five- member disciplinary hearings board will be comprised of two current members of the Board of Directors and three members at large. This disciplinary hearing board shall be formed within 30 days after the conclusion of the mediation. Any and all suspensions in place shall remain in full force and effect until a hearing is held by the disciplinary hearings board. K. The parties of the complaint will be given a minimum of 14 days’ notice of the date, time and place for the hearing. L. The disciplinary hearings board shall have authority to proceed on the complaint as expeditiously as is prudently possible, but not to exceed 60 days from date of the hearing and shall then present any recommendations to the Board. M. Proceedings before the Board of Directors, an appointed mediator, or an established disciplinary hearings board or committee shall be informal, and rules both at common law or provided by Missouri rules of procedure and evidence need not be strictly observed. The standard by which admissibility is determined is whether the evidence is such that an ordinarily prudent person is willing to rely upon it. N. The recommendation reached by the disciplinary hearings board shall be presented to the Board of Directors for action by the Board. O. If the person against whom the complaint is filed is found to be in violation of the rule(s) which is the subject of the complaint, the violator shall be subject to the penalties as set forth in Section 3 of this rule. Failure to comply with the provisions of Section 3 at completion of mediation or disciplinary actions taken by the Board may result in suspension of membership. Following completion of either mediation or Board action, a grace period not to exceed 30 days will be granted during which all fines levied are to be paid. P. The provisions of this section notwithstanding, violations of the Horse Protection Act shall be governed according to the provisions contained in Section 600 of this Handbook. Q. Non-members: Failure of non-members of the MFTHBA to act in accordance with MFTHBA bylaws, rules or regulations, shall be grounds for denial of any privileges regarding any MFTHBA- approved event. Section 3. Rule Infraction and Violation Penalties A. The MFTHBA’s rules and regulations contain both recommended methods (“may”) which means optional or discretionary, and mandatory issues (“shall” or “will”), which require compliance. When a violation of mandatory rules or regulations occurs, a penalty or fine will be assessed. B. Violations to rules and regulations will fall in three categories: Minor, Moderate, or Major 1. For a Minor or Moderate rule violation, a first occurrence warning will be issued. This warning will remain on a member’s record for a 24-month period. If, during this period, the member has no additional violations, the warning shall be marked “closed” but will remain on file. 2. If an additional violation occurs during this 24-month period, the member will be subject to the fines, as published below, for both the original and the current violation. 3. If, during a 36-month period, a third violation occurs, this will elevate the severity of the violation from Minor to Moderate, or Moderate to Major, with penalties to be adjusted accordingly. 4. In the case of a Major violation, the member shall be subject to the fine as published below, with no warning given. Should the severity of the violation so warrant, the Board, at its discretion, will additionally subject that member to censure, discipline, suspension, or termination of membership, as provided for in the bylaws and this Handbook. Rules Violations outlined in General Violations, Section 1. A, B, C, D, E, F and G will fall under the following categories as the action is deemed to warrant. C. Definitions: The outlines as shown define those activities which fall within the category of Minor, Moderate and Major Violations. These violations are put forth in broad term to define the scope of each of the categories.