Powers and duties - R.I. Gen. Laws Ann. § 42-66.7-5

The powers and duties of the long-term care ombudsperson include: (1) identifying, investigating, and resolving patient complaints; (2) receiving reports of resident abuse and neglect from the department of health within 24 hours of the reported incident; (3) receiving reports of thirty day discharge notices from long-term care facilities; (4) referring residents to services that will protect their “health, safety, welfare and rights;” (5) informing individuals about their rights and advocating on their behalf; (6) formulating “policies and procedures to identify, investigate, and resolve complaints;” (7) referring investigations to appropriate state agencies (e.g. office of the attorney general); (8) providing assistance and training to organizations regarding the long-term care of elders and persons with disabilities; (9) representing resident interests in administrative and legal proceedings; and (10) reviewing and commenting on proposed laws and government actions that will affect the rights of long-term care facility residents.