SB0857 - STATE GOVERNMENT-TECH

11 Co-Sponsors

Amends the Department of Human Services Act. In provisions concerning the Office of the Inspector General for the Department of Human Services, expands the functions of the Inspector General to include: (i) annual unannounced site visits and reviews of mental health or developmental disabilities facilities and community agencies licensed, funded, certified, or operated by the Department; and (ii) investigating allegations of material obstruction of an investigation by a facility or community agency employee. Provides that the purpose of the annual site visits is for the Department to review and make recommendations on systemic issues relative to preventing, reporting, investigating, and responding to all of the following: mental abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, egregious neglect, financial exploitation, or material obstruction of an investigation. Provides that in response to complaints or information gathered from investigations, the Inspector General shall have and may exercise the authority to initiate reviews of facilities and agencies related to preventing, reporting, investigating, and responding to mental abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, egregious neglect, financial exploitation, and material obstruction of an investigation. Requires the Inspector General to issue written reports on its conclusions and recommendations after concluding its review of a facility and agency. Provides that the written report shall be distributed to the Secretary of the Department and to the director of the facility or agency that was subject to the review and that the facility or agency shall have 45 calendar days to respond in writing to the Inspector General's conclusions and recommendations. Makes other corresponding changes.