HB5000 Summary

• Creates an Office of Inspector General within the Department of Human Services to investigate allegations of abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation at mental health and developmental disabilities facilities and agencies.

• Requires employees to report suspected abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation to the Inspector General hotline within 4 hours of discovery, and report deaths of individuals within 24 hours; violations are Class A misdemeanors.

• Establishes the Inspector General as an independent position appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate for 4-year terms, with authority to subpoena witnesses and conduct investigations.

• Requires substantiated findings to be reported to the Health Care Worker Registry maintained by the Department of Public Health, with employees given opportunity for administrative hearing before listing.

• Creates a 7-member Quality Care Board to oversee the Inspector General's operations and provide expert consultation on investigation policies and facility regulations.