Bill > A05006

This bill creates a district long-term care ombudsperson council program to coordinate volunteers in each assembly district, designed to improve oversight and advocacy for residents in long-term care facilities. The bill establishes that each assembly district will have a district council consisting of a paid chair, co-chair, secretary, and at least eight district advocates, who will receive annual stipends ranging from $150 to $200. These council members will be trained annually, with both in-person and online training options, and will be required to complete professional development training developed by the state ombudsperson. The bill mandates that information about the district council program be included in new resident welcome packets, and that volunteer positions be listed on state agency websites and job boards. Each district will receive $810,000 annually to administer the program, and district councils will be required to submit annual reports to the attorney general detailing their activities, analyzing complaints, evaluating resident problems, and providing recommendations for improving long-term care facility conditions. The bill also updates terminology throughout the existing elder law, replacing "ombudsman" with "ombudsperson" to use gender-neutral language, and clarifies the responsibilities and training requirements for local long-term care ombudsperson programs.

Health and Social Services

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A5006