AL SB328

Renames the program from "Long-term Residential Health Care Recipient Ombudsman Act" to "Office of the State Long Term Care Ombudsman Program Act" and updates terminology throughout the statute.

Establishes the Office of the State Long Term Care Ombudsman Program as a separately identifiable entity within the Department of Senior Services, with a Director appointed by and reporting to the Commissioner of the Department of Senior Services.

Defines new terms including "Area Agency on Aging," "Recipient Representative," and "Representative of the Office" to align with current federal regulations and organizational structure.

Requires full-time representatives of the office (rather than community ombudsmen) selected by area agencies on aging to receive, investigate, and resolve complaints regarding long-term care facilities and report instances of fraud, abuse, neglect, or exploitation to appropriate agencies.

Clarifies that the Department of Senior Services is not responsible for programmatic oversight of the office beyond federal compliance requirements, and specifies procedures for complaint resolution, access to facilities, and confidentiality protections; becomes effective immediately upon passage and approval.