AMENDED IN SENATE OCTOBER 22, 2002

SENIOR SENATE PROPOSAL NO. 20

INTRODUCED BY SENATOR LUNDIN

(COAUTHOR:  SENATOR LEVY)

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

SP 20:  LONG-TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM

UNDER EXISTING LAW, PURSUANT TO A GRANT FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, THE STATE HAS ESTABLISHED A LONG-TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF AGING.  THE OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM PRIMARILY RELIES ON THE ASSISTANCE OF VOLUNTEERS TO CARRY OUT ITS DUTIES.

THIS MEASURE WOULD MEMORIALIZE THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR TO ENACT LEGISLATION THAT WOULD PLACE A BOND MEASURE ON THE STATEWIDE BALLOT PROVIDE FUNDING TO THE LONG-TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM TO EXPAND THE PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT STAFF, TO PROVIDE RESOURCES FOR TRAINING AND ADMINISTRATION, AND TO REIMBURSE THE WORK-RELATED EXPENSES OF THOSE STAFF WHO ARE VOLUNTEERS.

VOTE:  MAJORITY.

SP 20:  RELATING TO THE LONG-TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM

WHEREAS, CURRENT FUNDING FOR THE LONG-TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM RESULTS IN A STAFFING STRUCTURE THAT RELIES ON VOLUNTEERS SUPPORTED AND SUPPLEMENTED BY PAID PROFESSIONAL STAFF; AND

WHEREAS, THE ROLE CURRENTLY FILLED BY VOLUNTEERS WITHIN THE LONG-TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM IS CRITICAL TO THE IMPROVEMENT OF SENIORS' QUALITY OF LIFE IN ASSISTED-LIVING FACILITIES; AND

WHEREAS, THE LONG-TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM VOLUNTEERS RECEIVE NO REIMBURSEMENT FOR THEIR MEALS OR MILEAGE EXPENSES INCURRED WHILE SERVING THE PROGRAM; AND

WHEREAS, THESE UNREIMBURSED EXPENSES LIMIT THE NUMBER OF VOLUNTEERS AVAILABLE TO COMPLETE THE IMPORTANT WORK OF THE LONG-TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT

RESOLVED, BY THE SENIOR SENATE AND THE SENIOR ASSEMBLY, JOINTLY, THAT THE SENIOR LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AT ITS 2002 REGULAR SESSION, A MAJORITY OF THE MEMBERS VOTING THEREFOR, HEREBY PROPOSES THAT A BOND ISSUE BE PLACED ON THE BALLOT TO PROVIDE FUNDING TO THE LONG-TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM TO EXPAND PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT STAFF, TO PROVIDE RESOURCES FOR TRAINING AND ADMINISTRATION, AND FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF VOLUNTEERS' MEAL AND MILEAGE EXPENSES INCURRED WHILE SERVING THE PROGRAM; AND BE IT FURTHER

RESOLVED, THAT THE SENIOR LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA RESPECTFULLY MEMORIALIZES THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA TO ENACT APPROPRIATE LEGISLATION WHICH WOULD ADDRESS THE CONCERNS SET FORTH IN THIS MEASURE; AND BE IT FURTHER

RESOLVED, THAT A COPY OF THIS MEASURE BE TRANSMITTED TO THE PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE OF THE SENATE, THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY, AND THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.

RN0215301

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