HB2150 Summary

• Establishes the Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman as a new part of Chapter 323D, Hawaii Revised Statutes, effective July 1, 2019, to protect health, safety, welfare, and rights of residents in long-term care facilities and aging in place facilities.

• Transfers the Long-Term Care Ombudsman administratively from the Executive Office on Aging to the State Health Planning and Development Agency to ensure greater autonomy and independence.

• Expands the ombudsman's jurisdiction to include long-term care facilities, nursing facilities, adult residential care homes, assisted living facilities, intermediate care facilities, and other similar facilities serving elders.

• Grants the Long-Term Care Ombudsman authority to investigate complaints, monitor regulations and policies, access facilities and resident records with proper consent, and advocate for systemic changes to improve care delivery.

• Prohibits retaliatory acts against residents or complainants seeking assistance from the ombudsman and establishes misdemeanor penalties for retaliation or willful interference with the ombudsman's duties.