IN SB0131

Division of Mental Health and Addiction required to establish a Psychiatric Care Ombudsman Office, with the Secretary of Family and Social Services appointing a full-time state ombudsman to direct the office, effective July 1, 2026

Office empowered to receive, investigate, and resolve complaints concerning the health, safety, welfare, or rights of patients in psychiatric hospitals, including both private institutions and public facilities under state control

Ombudsmen granted access to psychiatric hospitals, patients, and medical/financial/social records (with patient consent or under specified exceptions), as well as hospital administrative policies, licensing records, and survey results

Office required to establish a statewide toll-free complaint line, coordinate with legal services programs, Attorney General's Medicaid fraud unit, Indiana Department of Health, and protection and advocacy services, and submit annual reports to the governor and general assembly

Criminal penalty created as a Class B misdemeanor for intentionally preventing the office's work, offering compensation to influence investigations, or retaliating against complainants; psychiatric hospitals and staff granted civil and criminal immunity for disclosing records to ombudsmen