The Iowa commission of elder affairs, in accordance with section 3027(a)(12) of the federal Act, shall establish the office of long-term care resident's advocate within the department. The long-term care resident's advocate shall:
1. Investigate and resolve complaints about administrative actions that may adversely affect the health, safety, welfare, or rights of residents in long-term care facilities, excluding facilities licensed primarily to serve persons with mental retardation or mental illness.
2. Monitor the development and implementation of federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and policies that relate to long-term care facilities in Iowa.
3. Provide information to other agencies and to the public about the problems of residents in long-term care facilities, excluding facilities licensed primarily to serve persons with mental retardation or mental illness.
4. Train volunteers and assist in the development of citizens' organizations to participate in the long-term care resident's advocate program.
5. Carry out other activities consistent with the state long-term care ombudsman program provisions of the federal Act.
6. Administer the resident advocate committee program.
7. Report annually to the general assembly on the activities of the resident's advocate office.
The resident's advocate shall have access to long-term care facilities, private access to residents, access to residents' personal and medical records, and access to other records maintained by the facilities or governmental agencies pertaining only to the person on whose behalf a complaint is being investigated.
86 Acts, ch 1245, § 1016
C87, § 249D.42
C93, § 231.42
99 Acts, ch 129, §13; 2003 Acts, ch 141, §11
Previous Section 231.41
Next Section 231.43
© 2004 Cornell College and League of Women Voters of Iowa
Comments about this site or page?
webmaster@legis.iowa.gov.
Please remember that the person listed above does not vote on bills. Direct all comments concerning legislation to State Legislators.
Last update: Thu Jan 15 10:49:41 CST 2004
URL: /DOCS/IACODE/2003SUPPLEMENT/231/42.html
jhf