Page 387

House Bill No. 5506

Public Act No. 22-118 387 of 739

(1) Developing and implementing a public awareness strategy about the Community Ombudsman program; (2) Applying for, or working in collaboration with other state agencies to apply for, available federal funding for Community Ombudsman services; (3) Collaborating with persons administering other state programs and services to design and implement an agenda to promote the rights of elderly persons and persons with disabilities; (4) Providing information to public and private agencies, elected and appointed officials, the media and other persons regarding the problems and concerns of older adults and people with disabilities receiving home care; (5) Advocating for improvements in the home and community-based long-term services and supports system; and (6) Recommending changes in federal, state and local laws, regulations, policies and actions pertaining to the health, safety, welfare and rights of people receiving home care. (d) Not later than December 1, 2023, and annually thereafter, the State Ombudsman shall submit a report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to aging, human services and public health on (1) implementation of the public awareness strategy relating to the Community Ombudsman program, (2) the number of persons served in the program, (3) the number of complaints regarding home care filed with the program, (4) the disposition of such complaints, and (5) any gaps in services and resources needed to address such gaps. (e) The State Ombudsman, the Community Ombudsman supervisor