The legislature recognizes that the state agency on aging [aging and long-term services department] pursuant to a grant from the federal government has established an office of the state long-term care ombudsman. The legislature declares that it is the public policy of this state to encourage community contact and involvement with patients, residents and clients of long-term care facilities. The legislature finds that in order to comply with the federal Older Americans Act and to effectively assist patients, residents and clients of long-term care facilities in the assertion of their civil and human rights, the structure, powers and duties of the office of the state long-term care ombudsman shall be specifically defined.
History: Laws 1989, ch. 208, § 2.
Bracketed material. — The bracketed material was inserted by the compiler and is not part of the law.
Laws 2004, ch. 23, § 13 provided that all references to the "state agency on aging" be deemed references to the "aging and long-term services department".
Cross references. — For the federal Older Americans Act, see 42 U.S.C. § 3001 et seq.
Structure New Mexico Statutes
Article 17 - Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Section 28-17-1 - Short title.
Section 28-17-3 - Definitions.
Section 28-17-5 - Rule-making authority of director.
Section 28-17-6 - Regional and local long-term care ombudsman programs.
Section 28-17-7 - Training and certification.
Section 28-17-8 - Investigation and resolution of complaints.
Section 28-17-10 - Facility posting of ombudsman information.
Section 28-17-11 - Access to agency records.
Section 28-17-12 - Access to long-term care facilities.
Section 28-17-13 - Access to records of patients, residents or clients.
Section 28-17-14 - Confidentiality of information.
Section 28-17-15 - Conflict of interest.
Section 28-17-16 - Representatives of the office.
Section 28-17-17 - Immunity from liability.
Section 28-17-18 - Availability of legal counsel.
Section 28-17-19 - Interference with the office and retaliation prohibited; penalty; civil; appeal.