Bill > H0347

This bill amends existing law to revise provisions regarding the Office of Ombudsman for the Elderly. The key changes include: 1. Allowing the ombudsman to independently make determinations and establish positions without necessarily representing the determinations or positions of the Commission. 2. Prohibiting long-term care facilities from interfering, retaliating, or taking reprisals against a resident, employee, or other person who files a complaint with or provides information to the office of the ombudsman. 3. Expanding the ombudsman's authority to investigate administrative acts or omissions of not only long-term care facilities, but also state or county departments or agencies providing services to older people. 4. Requiring the ombudsman to investigate any complaint that they determine to be appropriate and work to resolve the complaint to the satisfaction of the resident or the resident's representative. 5. Allowing the ombudsman to enter long-term care facilities at any time, in addition to state or county department or agency premises during regular business hours. The bill aims to strengthen the independence and investigative powers of the Office of Ombudsman for the Elderly, with the goal of better protecting the rights and addressing the concerns of older individuals in long-term care facilities and the community.

Health and Social Services

Health and Welfare Committee (House)

https://legislature.idaho.gov/sessioninfo/2018/legislation/H0347/