Section 31-8-53. Duties of state ombudsman

   The state ombudsman shall:

   (1) Establish policies and procedures, subject to approval by the commissioner of human services, for receiving, investigating, referring, and attempting to resolve complaints made by or on behalf of residents of long-term care facilities concerning any act, omission to act, practice, policy, or procedure that may adversely affect the health, safety, or welfare of any resident;

   (2) Investigate and make reports and recommendations to the department and other appropriate agencies concerning any act or failure to act by any government agency with respect to its responsibilities and duties in connection with long-term care or residents of long-term care facilities;

   (3) Establish a uniform state-wide reporting system to record data about complaints and conditions in long-term care facilities and shall collect and analyze such data in order to identify significant problems affecting the residents of such facilities;

   (4) Promote the development of community ombudsmen activities and provide technical assistance as necessary; and

   (5) Make an annual written report, documenting the types of complaints and problems reported by residents, to the director of the Office of Special Programs for his recommendations to the commissioner concerning needed policy and regulatory and legislative changes.

Code 1933, § 88-1904a, enacted by Ga. L. 1979, p. 1240, § 1; Ga. L. 1991, p. 94, § 31; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453, § 2-4/HB 228.