(a) An application to appoint a receiver for a nursing home facility may be filed in the Superior Court by the Commissioner of Social Services, the Commissioner of Public Health or the director of the Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities. A resident of a facility or such resident’s legally liable relative, conservator or guardian may file a written complaint with the Commissioner of Public Health specifying conditions at the facility which warrant an application to appoint a receiver. If the Commissioner of Public Health fails to resolve such complaint within forty-five days of its receipt or, in the case of a facility which intends to close, within seven days of its receipt, the person who filed the complaint may file an application in the Superior Court for the appointment of a receiver for such facility. Said court shall immediately notify the Attorney General of such application. The court shall hold a hearing not later than ten days after the date the application is filed. Notice of such hearing shall be given to the owner of such facility or such owner’s agent for service of process not less than five days prior to such hearing. Such notice shall be posted by the court in a conspicuous place inside such facility for not less than three days prior to such hearing.

      (b) A resident of a facility for which an application to appoint a receiver has been filed or such resident’s legally liable relative, conservator or guardian may appear as a party to the proceedings.

      (c) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section the court may appoint a receiver upon an ex parte motion when affidavits, testimony or any other evidence presented indicates that there is a reasonable likelihood an emergency exists in such facility which must be remedied immediately to insure the health, safety and welfare of the patients of such facility. Notice of the application and order shall be served on the owner or his agent for service of process and shall be posted in a conspicuous place inside the facility not later than twenty-four hours after issuance of such order. A hearing on the application shall be held not later than five days after the issuance of such order unless the owner consents to a later date.