SB 83 Summary

• Establishes a "vulnerable adult centralized intake office" to replace the previous "central information and referral service" for reporting suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation, or other harm to vulnerable adults.

• Expands the long term care ombudsman's authority to investigate complaints from all residents of long term care facilities, not just those 60 years of age or older, at the ombudsman's discretion.

• Removes age restrictions (60 years or older) from several vulnerable adult protection provisions, allowing the department to investigate reports of harm to adults of all ages in out-of-home care facilities.

• Defines "resident representative" as a person chosen by or authorized by law to act on behalf of a long term care facility resident, with authority over decision-making, medical information access, financial matters, and notifications.

• Requires the long term care ombudsman to obtain informed consent from the vulnerable adult or their resident representative before sharing reports with the department, with limited exceptions for referrals when the person cannot consent.