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HB 671

Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman - Mandatory Appropriation

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Lesley Lopez and 1 co-sponsor

HB 671 establishes dedicated Medicaid-linked funding for Maryland's Long-Term Care Ombudsman to strengthen nursing facility oversight and resident advocacy.

Returned Passed
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Bill Summary · HB 671

Legislative bill overview

HB 671 establishes dedicated funding mechanisms for Maryland's Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman, which advocates for residents in nursing facilities and other long-term care settings. The bill ties this funding to Medicaid quality assessment requirements, ensuring the ombudsman office has resources to investigate complaints and protect resident rights in facilities receiving state healthcare dollars.

Why is this important

Nursing facility residents—often elderly, disabled, or vulnerable—depend on ombudsmen to investigate neglect, abuse, and rights violations. Dedicated funding ensures this advocacy function isn't dependent on year-to-year budget appropriations, providing stability for complaint investigations and systemic oversight. This directly impacts the safety and dignity of tens of thousands of Marylanders in long-term care.

Potential points of contention

  • Funding source clarity: The bill's connection between Medicaid quality assessments and ombudsman funding may create questions about whether costs are passed through to nursing facilities, insurers, or general revenue
  • Scope and enforcement authority: Questions may arise about whether the ombudsman office has sufficient investigative power and whether recommendations are binding or merely advisory
  • Facility burden: Nursing homes may argue that additional oversight mechanisms increase operational costs at facilities already operating on thin margins, particularly smaller or rural providers

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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