(a) An application to appoint a receiver for a nursing home facility or residential care home may be filed in the Superior Court by the Commissioner of Social Services or the Commissioner of Public Health. A resident of such facility or home, or such resident’s legally liable relative, conservator or guardian may file a written complaint with the Commissioner of Public Health specifying conditions at such facility or home that warrant an application to appoint a receiver. If the Commissioner of Public Health fails to resolve such complaint not later than forty-five days after its receipt or, in the case of a nursing home facility or residential care home that intends to close, not later than seven days after 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 or home. 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 residential care home, 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 nursing home facility or residential care home 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. The court shall permit a resident of a nursing home facility or residential care home that is the subject of an application for receivership, or the resident’s legally liable relative, conservator or guardian, to be heard at the hearing on the application for receivership without having to file an appearance as a party.

(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 or home which must be remedied immediately to insure the health, safety and welfare of the patients of such facility or home. Notice of the application and order shall be served on the owner or the owner’s agent for service of process and shall be posted in a conspicuous place inside such facility or home 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.