Section 17-2-15 - Ex parte communications(a) In any proceeding before the department, no party or representative shall communicate with the hearing officer concerning the merits of the case.(b) It shall be improper for any person interested in a proceeding to seek to influence the judgment of any member of the department or hearing officer designated to hear and decide a matter.(c) It shall be improper for a member of the department to: (1) Disclose or reveal to any other member of the department or hearing officer designated to hear and decide a matter, the contents of any investigatory report prepared by the department concerning the matter the department member or hearing officer is designated to hear and decide; or(2) Furnish the report or a copy thereof to any member of the department or hearing officer designated to hear and decide the matter, except where authorized by law.[Eff 11/5/84; comp APR 13 1995] (Auth: HRS §§ 26-38, 346-14, 348-3) (Imp: HRS §§ 26-38, 346-10, 346-14, 348-3)