(1) Any person who prevents or interferes with or attempts to impede in any way any duly authorized representative of the department in the lawful enforcement of sections 71-2084 to 71-2096 shall be guilty of a Class IV misdemeanor. For purposes of this subsection, lawful enforcement includes, but is not limited to, (a) contacting or interviewing any resident or patient of a health care facility in private at any reasonable hour and without advance notice, (b) examining any relevant books or records of a health care facility, or (c) preserving evidence of any violations of sections 71-2084 to 71-2096.

(2) The county attorney of the county in which the health care facility is located or the Attorney General may be requested by the department to initiate prosecution.