JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $100,000 TO THE RHODE ISLAND OFFICE OF HEALTHY AGING FOR THE ALLIANCE FOR BETTER LONG-TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Grace Diaz and 1 co-sponsor

A one-time $100,000 appropriation to support Rhode Island’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman program to handle rising complaints, protect resident rights, and bolster advocacy.

05/05/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study

Purpose and intent

The bill proposes a one-time appropriation of $100,000 to support the Rhode Island Office of Healthy Aging's administration of the Alliance for Better Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program.

Goal: bolster the Rhode Island Long-Term Care Ombudsman program in response to increased workload and funding pressures, ensuring advocacy, complaint resolution, and resident rights protections for long-term care residents.

Key provisions and changes

Appropriation: Out of treasury funds not otherwise appropriated for fiscal year 2026-2027, the sum of $100,000 is designated to the Rhode Island Office of Healthy Aging for the Alliance for Better Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program.

Administration and funding source: The Rhode Island Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman operates under the RI Office of Healthy Aging via a contract with the Alliance for Better Long-Term Care; this resolution provides additional state funds to support that program.

Payment mechanism: The state controller is authorized to issue payments upon properly authenticated vouchers, drawn from the General Treasury through the Office of the Treasurer, as needed.

Who/what is affected

Primary program: Rhode Island Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program (operated by the Alliance for Better Long-Term Care under contract with the RI Office of Healthy Aging).

Beneficiaries: Residents of Rhode Island's long-term care facilities, including:

76 licensed nursing facilities (8,405 beds)
65 assisted living residences (5,209 units)
Residents of Bristol Veterans' Home and Eleanor Slater Hospital

Indirectly affected groups: Elders and individuals with disabilities receiving long-term care services who rely on ombudsman advocacy, complaint resolution, and resident-rights protections.

Background and rationale

Under the federal Older Americans Act (OAA), states must have an Ombudsman Program to address complaints, protect resident rights, and advocate for improvements in long-term care.

Rhode Island established its program in 1995; funding has relied on a mix of federal and state sources and contractual arrangements.

Recent data show:

Increased workload: complaints more than tripled (2023: 597; 2025: 1,787 to date)
2025 complaints: about 30% related to abuse, gross neglect, and exploitation; 22% related to care issues

Surveys indicate rising care needs and more complex issues in facilities, coupled with flat funding relative to inflation and workload growth.

The bill addresses funding gaps to sustain and enhance ombudsman services amid growing demand and safeguarding resident rights.

Timeline and procedural details

Introduced: January 9, 2026, by Representatives Slater and Diaz.

Referral: House Finance.

Status: Scheduled for hearing/consideration on May 5, 2026 (per action history).

Effective date: The appropriation is for fiscal year 2026-2027; exact start date aligns with the state fiscal calendar for that period.

Administration: The appropriation would be managed by the RI Office of Healthy Aging, with disbursement via the general treasurer upon authenticated vouchers.

Bottom-line impact

This resolution provides a targeted, one-time $100,000 infusion to support the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program in Rhode Island, aiming to address rising caseloads, protect resident rights, and improve oversight of long-term care facilities. If enacted, the funds would be used to augment complaint handling, advocacy, and program operations for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.

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