HI HB610

Appropriates general revenue funds for fiscal years 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 to support the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program on Oahu and provide contracted services in Hawaii, Kauai, and Maui counties.

Addresses the finding that Hawaii's long-term care ombudsman program was reduced to only a director in 2015, making it the only state with a single-person ombudsman program despite having over 12,000 long-term care residents.

Cites the 1995 Institute of Medicine recommendation for a minimum ratio of one full-time ombudsman per 2,000 residents, which would require at least six ombudsmen for Hawaii's current population.

Notes that the program currently operates 1,702 long-term care facilities statewide and lacks sufficient staff to conduct quarterly facility visits, facilitate resident councils, provide community education, and serve neighbor island residents equally.

Distributes appropriated funds among four jurisdictions: Honolulu, Hawaii County, Kauai County, and Maui County (specific dollar amounts not filled in within the document).