An Act Regarding the Long-term Care Ombudsman Program
Maine Legislature, Session 127, LD 1617
Committee Amendment CA_A_S389 (Senate)
Amends: 22 MRSA §5107-A

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A" to S.P. 655, L.D. 1617, Bill, "An Act 
Regarding the Long-term Care Ombudsman Program" 
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the enacting clause and before the 
summary and inserting the following: 
'Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §5107-A, as amended by PL 2001, c. 596, Pt. B, §9 and 
affected by §25, is further amended by adding after the 2nd paragraph a new paragraph to 
read: 
The ombudsman may provide advocacy during the hospital discharge process to 
assist patients with complex medical needs who experience significant barriers in 
accessing long-term services and supports. If the ombudsman provides advocacy, the 
ombudsman shall ensure that the patient has information regarding available options 
including, but not limited to: home and community-based services provided under 
MaineCare or funded by the State; admission to a residential care facility as defined in 
section 7852, subsection 14 and licensed according to section 7801; admission to a 
nursing facility licensed according to section 1817; and admission to an assisted living 
facility or program licensed pursuant to chapter 1663 or 1664. The ombudsman also may 
provide assistance to the patient after discharge from the hospital. 
Sec. 2. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and 
allocations are made. 
HEAL TH AND HUMAN SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF (FORMERLY DHS) 
Office of Aging and Disability Services Central Office 0140 
Initiative: Provides funds to contract for 2 additional positions in the long-term care 
ombudsman program to provide information on options and assist patients with complex 
medical needs with overcoming barriers to admission in a residential care facility, nursing 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
"-.. ~. 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT" A"to S.P. 655, L.D. 1617 
facility or assisted living facility or program and provide services to facilities subsequent 
to placement of patients with complex medical needs. 
GENERAL FUND 
All Other 
GENERAL FUND TOTAL 
SUMMARY 
2015-16 
$0 
$0 
2016-17 
$150,000 
$150,000 
This amendment clarifies that the long-term care ombudsman program is authorized 
to provide information during and after the hospital discharge process to patients with 
complex medical needs who experience significant barriers to hospital discharge, 
including information regarding accessing home and community-based services. The bill 
includes only reference to assisting patients with barriers to admission to certain facilities. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
~,i,• 
Revised: 03/17/16 
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LD 1617 
LR 2702(02) 
An Act Regarding the Long-term Care Ombudsman Program 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment "A' fs-1 ~ ~ \ 
Committee: Health and Human Services 
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Net Cost (Savings) 
General Fund 
Appropriations/ Allocations 
General Fund 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
FY 2015-16 
FY 2016-17 
$0 
$150,000 
$0 
$150,000 
Projections 
FY 2017-18 
$150,000 
$150,000 
Projections 
FY 2018-19 
$150,000 
$150,000 
The bill includes a General Fund appropriation to the Department of Health and Human Services of $150,000 in 
fiscal year 2016-17 to contract for 2 additional positions in the long-term care ombudsmen program to provide 
information on options and assist patients with complex medical needs with overcoming barriers to admission to a 
facility and provide services to facilities subsequent to placement of patients with complex medical needs. 
LR2702(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1