(a)
Neither the director nor any of the director’s assistants, clerks, or deputies shall be interested as a director, officer, shareholder, member other than a member of an organization formed for religious purposes, partner, agent, or employee of any person who, during the period of the official’s or employee’s association with the Department of Managed Health Care, was licensed or applied for a license as a health care service plan under this chapter.
(b)
Nothing contained in subdivision (a) shall prohibit the holdings or purchasing of any securities by the director, an assistant, clerk, or deputy in accordance with rules which shall be adopted for the purpose of protecting the public interest and avoiding conflicts of interest.
(c)
Nothing in this section shall prohibit or preclude the director or any of the director’s assistants, clerks, or deputies or any employee of the Department of Managed Health Care from obtaining health care services as a subscriber or an enrollee from a plan licensed under this chapter, subject to any rules that may be adopted hereunder or pursuant to proper authority.