HB5009 Summary

• Amends the Illinois Act on the Aging to expand the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program to advocate for older persons and persons with disabilities in home and community-based settings, not just long-term care facilities.

• Requires licensed long-term care facilities to complete Consumer Choice Information Reports covering medical care, staffing, safety, meals, and other categories, with information made publicly accessible online.

• Establishes access and visitation rights for ombudsmen to enter facilities, communicate privately with residents, and examine clinical records with appropriate consent.

• Prohibits interference with ombudsman duties and retaliation against residents or employees who contact the ombudsman, with violations classified as business offenses punishable by fines up to $501.

• Modifies the Specialized Mental Health Rehabilitation Act of 2013 to clarify that provisional licenses expire after 3 years from issuance, requiring facilities to obtain full licensure and national accreditation after the provisional period ends.