SB360 Summary

• Amends Sections 22-5A-1 to 22-5A-7 of the Code of Alabama 1975 to update the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program to reflect new federal regulations.

• Establishes the Office of the State Long Term Care Ombudsman Program as a separately identifiable entity within the Department of Senior Services with its own Director.

• Replaces terminology of "community ombudsman" with "representative of the office" and updates definitions to align with federal requirements, including adding "AREA AGENCY ON AGING" and "RECIPIENT REPRESENTATIVE" definitions.

• Expands ombudsman access to health care facilities to investigate complaints at any time during regular business hours or when immediate danger or harm to recipients is possible, and allows investigation of multiple providers in single complaints.

• Requires representatives of the office to allow informed consent through writing, oral communication, or assistive technology and expands protections for confidentiality of complaint information.