(1) The Office of the State Long-Term Care Facilities Ombudsman shall designate and refuse, suspend or remove designation of representatives of the Office of the State Long-Term Care Facilities Ombudsman in particular where a conflict of interest cannot be resolved, except that community long-term care facilities ombudsman programs existing on July 1, 1988, shall be designated unless the Office of the State Long-Term Care Facilities Ombudsman determines that the existing community program no longer meets the requirement of Sections 43-7-51 through 43-7-79.
(2) The State Ombudsman shall specify standards for the designation and operation of community ombudsman programs and establish a grievance process.