(1) A representative of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program may not:(a) Have a direct involvement in the licensing or certification of, or an ownership or investment interest in, a long-term care facility or a provider of a long-term care service.
(b) Be employed by, or participate in the management of, a long-term care facility.
(c) Receive, or have a right to receive, directly or indirectly, remuneration, in cash or in kind, under a compensation agreement with the owner or operator of a long-term care facility.
(2) Each representative of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program shall certify that he or she does not have a conflict of interest.
(3) The department, in consultation with the state ombudsman, shall define by rule:(a) Situations that constitute a conflict of interest which could materially affect the objectivity or capacity of an individual to serve as a representative of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program while carrying out the purposes of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program as specified in this part.
(b) The procedure by which an individual listed in subsection (2) must certify that he or she does not have a conflict of interest.
