MS SB2749

Establishes the Mississippi Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program within the Department of Human Services, Division of Aging and Adult Services, to investigate complaints and protect the health, safety, welfare, and rights of residents in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other long-term care facilities.

Requires the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman to designate geographic districts throughout Mississippi with at least one certified ombudsman in each district, who must conduct unannounced annual onsite visits to every nursing home, assisted living facility, and adult family-care home in the state.

Grants ombudsman representatives authority to enter any long-term care facility without notice or warrant, access resident records with consent, and investigate complaints within a reasonable time, with facilities that refuse entry considered in violation of the law and reported to the Department of Health.

Exempts ombudsman representatives from mandatory abuse reporting requirements except in specific circumstances where residents cannot communicate consent and have no representative, in which case they may disclose information to appropriate agencies if believed to be in the resident's best interest.

Requires the State Ombudsman to submit an annual report by February 15 to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, and State Department of Health analyzing complaints, evaluating resident problems, and recommending policy and regulatory changes.