NC H248

Changes adult care home and nursing home advisory committee members to function as designated representatives of the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman, requiring certification and designation through the ombudsman program's policies and procedures.

Shifts appointment authority for committees from the Assistant Secretary for Aging to the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman, including mandatory designation requirements and ability to remove designation, which automatically rescinds committee membership.

Requires committee members to complete certification and designation training in accordance with 45 C.F.R. § 1324.13(c)(2) prior to exercising any powers under existing statutes.

Makes all written communications by committee members property of the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman subject to the office's disclosure policies rather than individual committee policies.

Directs the Department of Health and Human Services to examine the HIV Organ Policy Equity (HOPE) Act and related federal regulations and submit findings and recommendations to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services by January 1, 2018.