What must occur before a disciplinary hearing can commence?

The correct answer focuses on the requirement for providing the inmate with copies of the relevant documents prior to the commencement of a disciplinary hearing. Specifically, this ensures that the inmate is fully informed about the allegations against them, as outlined in the form 115 and any non-confidential reports. Such disclosure is a crucial part of the due process rights afforded to inmates under the law, allowing them the opportunity to adequately prepare their defense. It establishes a fair process by ensuring that inmates have access to the evidence and reports that will be considered during the hearing.

The other options do not accurately reflect the required procedural steps before a disciplinary hearing. The timeline for scheduling the hearing, presence of an attorney, and stipulations regarding the hearing officer's agency affiliation are not universally mandated prerequisites for proceeding with the hearing. Instead, the requirement for document disclosure stands as a foundational element in maintaining fairness and transparency in disciplinary proceedings within the correctional system.