(1) A person, long-term care facility, or other entity may not willfully interfere with a representative of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program in the performance of official duties.
(2) A person, long-term care facility, or other entity may not knowingly or willfully take action or retaliate against any resident, employee, or other person for filing a complaint with, providing information to, or otherwise cooperating with any representative of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program.
(3) A person, long-term care facility, or other entity that violates this section:
(a) Is liable for damages and equitable relief as determined by law.
(b) Commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.083.
History.—ss. 12, 30, ch. 93-177; s. 132, ch. 2000-349; s. 52, ch. 2000-367; s. 16, ch. 2006-121; s. 15, ch. 2015-31.
Structure Florida Statutes
Chapter 400 - Nursing Homes and Related Health Care Facilities
Part I - Long-Term Care Facilities: Ombudsman Program (Ss. 400.0060-400.0091)
400.0061 - Legislative findings and intent; long-term care facilities.
400.0065 - State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program; duties and responsibilities.
400.0067 - State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Council; duties; membership.
400.0070 - Conflicts of interest.
400.0071 - State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program complaint procedures.
400.0073 - State and local ombudsman council investigations.
400.0074 - Local ombudsman council onsite administrative assessments.
400.0075 - Complaint notification and resolution procedures.
400.0078 - Citizen access to State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program services.
400.0081 - Access to facilities, residents, and records.
400.0083 - Interference; retaliation; penalties.
400.0087 - Department oversight; funding.