Sec. 14.37.02.04. Conduct of Ombudsman

A. The Ombudsman shall read and, consistent with State law, shall abide by the Standards of Conduct for Mediators during the mediation process.

B. The Ombudsman shall remain neutral, impartial, and independent during the mediation process.

C. The Ombudsman shall disclose to the parties all actual and potential conflicts of interest reasonably known to the Ombudsman. After disclosure, the Ombudsman shall decline to mediate unless all parties consent to participate.

D. If the Ombudsman is unable to conduct a mediation process in a neutral, impartial, and independent manner, the Ombudsman shall withdraw from that mediation.

E. If the Ombudsman withdraws from a mediation, the Ombudsman may suggest to the parties an alternative dispute resolution resource.

F. In addition to or in lieu of mediation, the Ombudsman may engage in other reasonable efforts to resolve or prevent a dispute or potential dispute, such as by answering questions about the Act, by providing trainings on the Act, and by engaging in preliminary conversations with a party about the subject of a dispute or potential dispute.