(a) Representatives of the office shall have the right to enter long-term care facilities and to unescorted, unhindered movement within them for the purposes of identifying, hearing, investigating, and resolving complaints, observing and monitoring conditions of residents and facilities, speaking confidentially with residents, and providing services to assist residents in protecting their health, safety, welfare, and rights. Entry shall be provided at any time deemed necessary and reasonable by the State Ombudsman to effectively carry out this chapter, for any of the purposes described in this subdivision.
(b) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to restrict, limit, or increase any existing right of any organizations or individuals not described in subdivision (a) to enter, or provide assistance to patients or residents of, long-term care facilities.
(c) Nothing in this chapter shall restrict any right or privilege of any patient or resident of a long-term care facility to receive visitors of his or her choice.
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a long-term care facility, upon request by a representative of the office, shall provide a roster, census, or other list of the names and room numbers or room locations of all current residents or patients residing in the facility.
(Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 649, Sec. 15. (SB 345) Effective January 1, 2013.)