BILL ANALYSIS Ó Senate Appropriations Committee Fiscal Summary Senator Christine Kehoe, Chair SB 345 (Wolk) Hearing Date: 01/17/2012 Amended: 01/12/2012 Consultant: Brendan McCarthy Policy Vote: Human Services 4-2 _________________________________________________________________ ____ BILL SUMMARY: SB 345 makes several changes to the statutes governing the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman, including requiring an annual advocacy plan. _________________________________________________________________ ____ Fiscal Impact (in thousands) Major Provisions 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 Fund Developing annual plansUp to $50 per year General _________________________________________________________________ ____ STAFF COMMENTS: Under current law, the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman is located within the Department of Aging, and the Director of the Office is appointed by the Director of the Department. Pursuant to state and federal law, the state Ombudsman is charged with investigating and seeking to resolve complaints against long-term care facility operators and generally advocating for residents of long-term care facilities. SB 345 makes several changes to the statutes governing the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman. The bill requires the Office to solicit funds to support the operations of the office (currently the Office is authorized to solicit such funds). The bill requires the Office to submit an annual advocacy plan to the Legislature. The plan must be developed in consultation with local ombudsman programs and must include information on outcomes of previous advocacy efforts by the Office. The bill clarifies that, pursuant to federal law, the Office shall represent the interests of long-term care facility residents without interference by the Department or other state agencies. The bill requires the Office to maintain an internet web site with information for consumers on long-term care > (>) Page 1 issues. The bill requires the Office to reestablish an inactive advisory council by June 30, 2013 and requires that the council include two representatives of local ombudsman programs. Most of the provisions of the bill clarify existing state and/or federal law. However, because the bill requires the Office to develop an annual advocacy plan including information on outcomes of prior advocacy efforts, staff believes that the bill will impose new costs on the Office. Staff estimates that the costs to prepare reports, consult with local ombudsman programs, and review past activities may be up to $50,000 per year.