MS HB492

Establishes the Office of the State Long-Term Care Facilities Ombudsman as an independent organizational unit within the Division of Aging and Adult Services, headed by a State Ombudsman who has authority over local representatives.

Creates a position of legal assistance developer within the Mississippi Council on Aging who must be a member in good standing of The Mississippi Bar to assist the State Ombudsman in protecting residents' health, safety, rights, and welfare.

Expands the State Ombudsman's duties to include analyzing and commenting on laws, regulations, and policies affecting long-term care facilities, and requires establishment of minimum qualifications and recertification requirements for program representatives.

Exempts the State Ombudsman Program from mandatory abuse reporting requirements in Sections 43-47-7 and 43-47-37 without appropriate resident informed consent or court order, establishing confidentiality protections for resident-identifying information.

Adds criminal penalties for discrimination, retaliation, or interference against residents, family members, or employees who make complaints or provide information to the State Ombudsman Program, and prohibits disclosure of ombudsman investigatory files except by State Ombudsman discretion.