The hearing officer shall not communicate directly or indirectly in connection with any issue of fact, law or procedure, with any party or other persons legally interested in the outcome of the proceeding, except upon notice and opportunity for all parties to participate.
This section shall not prohibit the hearing officer from having the aid or advice of agency staff, counsel or consultants retained by the Department who have not participated and will not participate in the proceeding in an advocate or adversarial capacity.
C.M.R. 05, 071, ch. 119, § 071-119-4, subsec. 071-119-4.2