(a) A party or a prospective witness or deponent may file a motion
for a protective order with respect to discovery sought by an opposing
party or with respect to the hearing, seeking to limit the availability
or disclosure of evidence.
(b) In issuing a protective order, the ALJ may make any order which
justice requires to protect a party or person from annoyance,
embarrassment, oppression, or undue burden or expense, including one or
more of the following:
(1) That the discovery not be had;
(2) That the discovery may be had only on specified terms and
conditions, including a designation of the time or place;
(3) That the discovery may be had only through a method of discovery
other than that requested;
(4) That certain matters not be inquired into, or that the scope of
discovery be limited to certain matters;
(5) That discovery be conducted with no one present except persons
designated by the ALJ;
(6) That the contents of discovery or evidence be sealed;
(7) That a deposition after being sealed be opened only by order of
the ALJ;
(8) That a trade secret or other confidential research, development,
commercial information, or facts pertaining to any criminal
investigation, proceeding, or other administrative investigation not be
disclosed or be disclosed only in a designated way; or
(9) That the parties simultaneously file specified documents or
information enclosed in sealed envelopes to be opened as directed by the
ALJ.
