Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 101 Part 1.djvu/966

 101 STAT. 936

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Reports.

PUBLIC LAW 100-175—NOV. 29, 1987 the written consent of such complainant or resident, or upon court order. "(C) The State agency will establish a statewide uniform reporting system to collect and analyze data relating to complaints and conditions in long-term care facilities for the purpose of identifying and resolving significant problems, with provision for submission of such data to the agency of the State responsible for licensing or certifying long-term care facilities in the State and to the Commissioner on a regular basis. "(D) The State agency will establish procedures to assure that any files maintained by the ombudsman program shall be disclosed only at the discretion of the ombudsman having authority over the disposition of such files, except that the identity of any complainant or resident of a longterm care facility shall not be disclosed by such ombudsman unless— "(i) such complainant or resident, or the individual's legal representative, consents in writing to such disclosure; or "(ii) such disclosure is required by court order. "(E) In planning and operating the ombudsman program, the State agency will consider the views of area agencies on aging, older individuals, and provider agencies. "(F) The State agency will— "(i) ensure that no individual involved in the designation of the long-term care ombudsman (whether by appointment or otherwise) or the designation of the head of any subdivision of the Office is subject to a conflict of interest; "(ii) ensure that no officer, employee, or other representative of the Office is subject to a conflict of interest; and "(iii) ensure that mechanisms are in place to identify and remedy any such or other similar conflicts. "(G) The State agency will— "(i) ensure that adequate legal counsel is available to the Office for advice and consultation and that legal representation is provided to any representative of the Office against whom suit or other legal action is brought in connection with the performance of such representatives official duties; and "(ii) ensure that the Office has the ability to pursue administrative, legal, and other appropriate remedies on behalf of residents of long-term care facilities. "(H) The State agency will require the Office to— "(i) prepare an annual report containing data and findings regarding the types of problems experienced and complaints received by or on behalf of individuals residing in long-term care facilities, and to provide ' ' policy, regulatory, and legislative recommendations to solve such problems, resolve such complaints, and improve the quality of care and life in long-term care facilities; "(ii) analyze and monitor the development and implementation of Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, and policies with respect to long-term care

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