(a)

1. (1) All program records are the property of the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman, including program and case records located at the regional ombudsman program office.
2. (2) The State Long-Term Care Ombudsman or designee may access Arkansas Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program records at any time regardless of their location, including unimpeded access to Arkansas Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program records stored at the regional ombudsman program.

(c)

1. (1) Each ombudsman representative has access to Arkansas Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program records of the regional program for which he or she serves.
2. (2) When required to provide temporary coverage for another regional program, an ombudsman may have access to the Arkansas Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program records of another regional program to the extent necessary to provide such coverage.

3. (3) The Regional Ombudsman shall:

   1. (A) Limit access of Arkansas Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program records to authorized Arkansas Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program personnel;
   2. (B) Maintain Arkansas Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program records in a secure location controlled by the Regional Ombudsman; and
   3. (C) Ensure that the ombudsman representative can safely and securely transmit records by electronic mail or facsimile.