The bill, known as the Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson Rehabilitation Hospital Care Ombudsman Act of 2025, aims to enhance the oversight of rehabilitation hospitals by the office of the state long-term care ombudsman. Key amendments to the Human Resources Code include the definitions of "imminent peril," "local ombudsman entity," and "rehabilitation hospital," which clarify the conditions under which the ombudsman can intervene. The bill allows the ombudsman to receive, investigate, and resolve complaints regarding the health or safety of rehabilitation hospital patients who may be in imminent peril due to care provided or withheld by hospital staff. It also mandates that rehabilitation hospitals cooperate with investigations and grants the ombudsman access to patient care records under specific conditions.

Additionally, the bill requires rehabilitation hospitals to post a prominent sign in each patient room detailing the procedure for contacting the ombudsman and filing complaints. This sign must include information on how to report imminent danger and must be easily readable. The bill emphasizes the importance of protecting the confidentiality of complainants and patients while ensuring that the ombudsman can effectively address issues related to patient care and safety. The executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission is tasked with implementing the necessary rules and publishing a model sign for compliance.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Health and Safety Code 166.004, Health and Safety Code 241.003 (Health and Safety Code 166, Health and Safety Code 241)
House Committee Report: (Health and Safety Code 166, Health and Safety Code 241)