Decision and Action by the Secretary

The decision of the Hearing Officer will be in writing and forwarded to the Secretary with copies to be mailed to the Appellant and the Area Agency. Within 21 days of the decision, the Secretary will approve it, disapprove it, or approve it with modifications or additions. Either party may submit a written statement to the Secretary concerning the Hearing Officer's decision within seven days of receiving it but neither party shall be entitled to a further hearing before the Secretary. The decisionof the Secretary shall be the final administrative review. The decision will be binding upon all parties to the hearing, unless one or more of the parties commences an action to obtain judicial review within 30 days after the date of the decision. The Secretary in making his decision, is bound by the statutory provisions referred to in 651 CMR 9.01 and the regulations from time to time promulgated pursuant thereto.