28-17-15: Conflict of interest.

The agency shall ensure that:

A. no individual or a member of the immediate family of an individual involved in the designation of the ombudsman or the designation of a regional or local ombudsman is subject to a conflict of interest;

B. no officer or employee of the office, ombudsman coordinator or representative, or a member of their immediate family, is subject to a conflict of interest; and

C. any ombudsman:

(1) does not have a direct involvement in the licensing or certification of a long-term care facility or of a provider of a long-term care service;

(2) does not have an ownership or investment interest, represented by equity, debt or other financial relationship, in a long-term care facility or a long-term care service;

(3) is not employed by, or participating in the management of, a long-term care facility; and

(4) does not receive, or have the right to receive, directly or indirectly, remuneration in cash or in kind under a compensation arrangement with an owner or operator of a long-term care facility.