(a) An application to appoint a receiver for a residential facility for persons with intellectual disability may be filed in the Superior Court by the Commissioner of Developmental Services. A resident of the facility or the resident’s legal representative may file a written complaint with the Commissioner of Developmental Services specifying conditions at the facility which warrant an application to appoint a receiver. If the Commissioner of Developmental Services fails to resolve the 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 the facility. The court shall immediately notify the Attorney General of the application. The court shall hold a hearing not later than ten days after the date the application is filed. Notice of the hearing shall be given to the owner of the facility or the owner’s agent for service of process not less than five days prior to the hearing. The notice shall be posted by the court in a conspicuous place inside the facility for not less than three days prior to the hearing.

(b) 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 the facility which must be remedied immediately to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the residents of the facility. 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 the facility not later than twenty-four hours after issuance of the order. A hearing on the application shall be held not later than five days after the issuance of the order unless the owner consents to a later date.