In addition to the limitations of Title 5, section 18, a member or employee of the department who has a substantial economic or fiduciary interest that would be affected by a recommendation or decision to issue or deny a certificate of need or who has a close relative or economic associate whose interest would be so affected is ineligible to participate in the review, recommendation or decision-making process with respect to any application for which the conflict of interest exists. [PL 2001, c. 664, §2 (NEW).]