HB 2221-S - DIGEST
(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)

Requires the office of the state long-term care ombuds to: (1) Establish the priority response unit; and

(2) Upon receipt of a complaint from a long-term care ombuds that alleges that conduct by a long-term care facility constitutes a high priority violation, immediately evaluate the case to determine whether or not the conduct meets threshold standards for activating the priority response unit.

Requires the office of the state long-term care ombuds, the department of social and health services, the department of health, representatives of local law enforcement officials, and representatives of local public health agencies to develop a work group that shall adopt communication and coordination procedures to assure the highest level of support for each organization's mission with respect to protecting residents of long-term care facilities.

Revises the definition of "long-term care facility," for purposes of the long-term care ombuds program, to include all portions of a residential habilitation center and state or private intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities, regardless of whether any portion of the center or care facility is also licensed or certified as a nursing facility, assisted living facility, adult family home, or other type of long-term care facility.