HB 5285 Summary

• Expands the State Ombudsman's jurisdiction to include recipients of home and community-based services in addition to long-term care facility residents, effective July 1, 2016.

• Creates the position of Assistant State Ombudsman, appointed by the State Ombudsman, to assist with ombudsman duties and provide support structure for the office.

• Extends ombudsman investigative and complaint resolution authority to cover home and community-based care providers, public agencies, and health and social service agencies affecting recipients' health, safety, welfare, and rights.

• Replaces a pilot program for Hartford County with statewide services to home and community-based care recipients, removing geographic limitations on ombudsman coverage.

• Requires residents' advocates to serve both long-term care facilities and recipients of home and community-based services within their regions, with expanded training and support responsibilities.