This bill seeks to enhance the role and responsibilities of the Office of State Long-Term Care Ombudsman in New Jersey, broadening its focus to include all long-term care residents rather than just the elderly. Key amendments involve the removal of terms like "the elderly" and "patients," replacing them with "long-term care residents" to better reflect the diverse population in need of care. The legislation emphasizes the protection of civil and human rights for these residents, particularly those who may struggle to advocate for themselves due to various limitations. To support these expanded duties, the bill allocates $1 million to the Ombudsman’s office, which includes funding for additional staff and a statewide advertising campaign for the Volunteer Advocate program.

Additionally, the bill enhances the reporting process for suspected abuse or exploitation by allowing any individual with reasonable cause to report such incidents to local law enforcement and the Ombudsman, while ensuring the confidentiality of the reporter's identity. It mandates prompt investigations into reports of abuse, with specific timelines for notifying relevant authorities and the complainant, and requires that findings be shared with the resident and their legal representative. The legislation also shifts oversight responsibilities from specific legislative committees to the Legislature itself, aiming to strengthen the advocacy and oversight functions of the Ombudsman to better protect the rights and well-being of long-term care residents in New Jersey.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 52:27G-1, 52:27G-2, 52:27G-4, 52:27G-5, 52:27G-6, 52:27G-7, 52:27G-7.1, 52:27G-7.2, 52:27G-7.3, 52:27G-8, 52:27G-9, 52:27G-10, 52:27G-11, 52:27G-13, 52:27G-14