SENATE HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND SENIOR CITIZENS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

[First Reprint]

ASSEMBLY, No. 4484

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  FEBRUARY 9, 2021

      The Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 4484 (1R).

      This bill requires the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman (ombudsman) to establish a long-term care advocacy and educational training program. 

      Under the amended bill, the ombudsman would be required to establish, in consultation with the Department of Health, an annual long-term care training program.  At a minimum, the program is to address the following subjects:  the rights of residents of long-term care facilities; fostering choice and independence among residents of long-term care facilities; identifying and reporting abuse, neglect, or exploitation of residents of long-term care facilities; long-term care facility ownership; updates on State and federal guidelines, laws, and regulations that pertain to long-term care facilities; and issues, trends, and policies that impact the rights of long-term care residents.  The annual training program is to be completed by the ombudsman’s investigative and advocacy staff, the ombudsman’s volunteer advocates, and Department of Health long-term care facility surveyors, inspectors, and complaint investigators.  Subject to the availability of staff and funding, the training program is to be offered to residents of long-term care facilities, those residents’ family members, advocacy organizations, government agencies, and long-term care facility employees.  To develop and implement the training program, the ombudsman may contract or consult with a non-profit organization that possesses expertise on the rights of residents in long-term care settings.

      As reported by the committee, Assembly Bill No. 4484 (1R) is identical to Senate Bill No. 3153 which was also reported by the committee on this date.