(a) (1) Except as to proceedings terminated in accordance with § 5-518(b) of this subtitle, the Joint Ethics Committee shall provide to the accused legislator a copy of:

(i) the complaint filed or prepared in accordance with § 5-516 of this subtitle; and

(ii) the allegation summary prepared in accordance with § 5-518(c) of this subtitle.

(2) The accused legislator shall be allowed an opportunity to file a written answer to the allegation summary.

(b) Following notification of the accused legislator, the Joint Ethics Committee may:

(1) terminate the proceedings; or

(2) schedule a hearing and notify the accused legislator of the time, location, and procedures of the hearing.

(c) (1) The Joint Ethics Committee may amend the allegation summary at any time.

(2) If an allegation summary is amended under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the accused legislator shall be allowed an opportunity to file a written answer to the amended allegation summary.