(1) Following the close of hearing or other proceeding which allows the parties an opportunity for hearing, the hearing officer shall prepare a written hearing officer decision consisting of findings of fact, conclusions of law, and recommended relief, if any. Findings of fact must be based exclusively on the evidence and on matters officially noticed. Each conclusion of law must be supported by authority or by a reasoned opinion. Copies of the hearing officer decision shall be served upon all parties of record.

(2) A hearing officer may render an opinion of law in lieu of detailed references to authority in the making of conclusions of law.

(3) Hearing officer decisions are indexed and available at the offices of both the Human Rights Bureau and the Office of Administrative Hearings and may also be accessed through their respective web sites.