(a) When the same or substantially similar evidence is material to the matter in issue with respect to more than one individual, as long as no party is prejudiced, (1) the same time and place for considering all cases may be fixed; (2) hearings on the cases may be jointly conducted; (3) a single record of the proceedings may be made; and (4) evidence introduced with respect to one proceeding may be considered as introduced in the others.
(b) However, a party who would be prejudiced by a proceeding under (a) of this section may have a separate hearing upon demand.