Title 31, Chapter 8, Section 53
( 31-8-53)
The state ombudsman shall: (1) Establish policies and procedures, subject to approval by the
commissioner of human resources, for receiving, investigating,
referring, and attempting to resolve complaints made by or on
behalf of residents of long-term care facilities concerning any
act, omission to act, practice, policy, or procedure that may
adversely affect the health, safety, or welfare of any resident; (2) Investigate and make reports and recommendations to the
department and other appropriate agencies concerning any act or
failure to act by any government agency with respect to its
responsibilities and duties in connection with long-term care or
residents of long-term care facilities; (3) Establish a uniform state-wide reporting system to record data
about complaints and conditions in long-term care facilities and
shall collect and analyze such data in order to identify
significant problems affecting the residents of such facilities; (4) Promote the development of community ombudsmen activities and
provide technical assistance as necessary; and (5) Make an annual written report, documenting the types of
complaints and problems reported by residents, to the director of
the Office of Special Programs for his recommendations to the
commissioner concerning needed policy and regulatory and
legislative changes. |