FL S0896

Creates Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman within Department of Elderly Affairs with a nonprofit contractor managing day-to-day operations; establishes independent appointment and removal process for state ombudsman requiring five-member selection panel and two-thirds state council vote.

Requires nursing homes to allow residents and representatives to use electronic monitoring devices in resident rooms; prohibits discrimination against residents based on monitoring intent or use; establishes criminal and civil penalties for violations.

Mandates nursing homes establish internal resident safety and quality-of-care coordinator programs with risk managers to oversee adverse incident reporting; requires annual reports to state agency and public report cards on facility performance.

Requires nursing homes maintain general liability insurance of at least $1 million per claim and $3 million aggregate, or establish equivalent financial reserves; violations subject to immediate license suspension and unlimited civil penalties.

Strengthens emergency power requirements for nursing homes and assisted living facilities to maintain 96-hour fuel supply for generators maintaining 71-81°F temperatures; requires evacuation plans if power cannot be sustained; imposes $1 million penalty if resident dies from abuse or neglect.