Relating to the office of long-term care ombudsman and making an appropriation

This bill relates the office of long-term care ombudsman and makes an appropriation. The bill appropriates funds from the general fund of the state to the office of long-term care ombudsman for FY 2025-2026 to be used to increase the number of local long-term care ombudsmen. The funding appropriated is in addition to any other funds appropriated from the general fund of the state and any other full-time equivalent positions authorized for local long-term care ombudsmen during the same fiscal year. The funding shall be used to support local ombudsmen in fulfilling their duties including to provide the resources necessary to complete site visits and to carry out other duties to protect and improve the health, safety, welfare, and rights of residents and tenants. The office of long-term care ombudsman shall use the funding to prioritize site visits of nursing facilities that have changed ownership, especially site visits of those that have transitioned to private equity ownership.