ND SB2065

Authorizes the Department of Human Services to employ a state long-term care ombudsman and local long-term care ombudsmen as determined necessary within legislative appropriations.

Grants ombudsmen reasonable access to long-term care facilities during normal working hours or by appointment and allows private access to residents for investigations.

Allows ombudsmen to access resident records without written consent when investigating complaints if the resident cannot consent or lacks a legal representative, or if a legal representative refuses consent but the ombudsman has reasonable cause to believe they are not acting in the resident's best interests with state ombudsman approval.

Requires long-term care facilities to post information about the ombudsman program and complaint procedures, provide copies to residents upon admission, and prohibits retaliation against residents, employees, or others for filing complaints or providing information to ombudsmen.

Protects confidentiality of ombudsman records and files relating to residents or complainants unless disclosure is consented to in writing, authorized by the ombudsman without revealing identities, or ordered by a court.