(1) The hearing officer may not draw an inference about determination regarding responsibility based solely on a party's or witness's absence from the hearing or refusal to answer questions or submit to cross-examination. This subsection does not apply to allegations of prohibited conduct under Part II of this code, WAC 478-121-103 through 478-121-173.

(2) Questions or evidence about a complainant's sexual predisposition or prior sexual behavior are not relevant, unless such questions or evidence about a party's sexual behavior are offered to prove that someone other than the respondent committed the sexual conduct alleged by the complainant or such questions or evidence concern specific incidents of the parties' prior sexual behavior and such information is relevant to determine the presence or absence of consent.

(3) Except as otherwise provided in this section, evidence may be considered if, in the judgment of the hearing officer, it is the kind of evidence on which reasonably prudent persons are accustomed to rely in the conduct of such reasonably prudent person's affairs. The relevance of evidence will be determined by the hearing officer at a hearing. The hearing officer may exclude from consideration evidence that is not relevant. Statements of personal opinion or general reputation about a party or witness are generally not considered to be relevant. Evidence that is duplicative of other evidence is generally not considered to be relevant.

(4) An investigator or hearing officer may not require, allow, rely upon, or otherwise use questions or evidence that constitute, or seek disclosure of, information protected under a legally recognized privilege, unless the person holding such privilege has voluntarily waived the privilege in writing. An investigator or hearing officer also may not access, consider, disclose, or otherwise use a party's records that are made or maintained by a physician, psychiatrist, psychologist, or other recognized professional or paraprofessional acting in the professional or paraprofessional's capacity, or assisting in that capacity, and which are made and maintained in connection with the provision of treatment to the party, unless the recipient obtains that party's voluntary, written consent.