(a) After each hearing, the hearing officer shall promptly report to the parties in writing the officer's decision, findings of fact, and the reasons for those findings.
(b) The hearing officer's decision is final on the 31st day after the date on which the decision is reported unless a party files an appeal within that period.
(c) The filing of an appeal suspends the hearing officer's decision, and a party may not take action on the decision.