Mississippi § 43-7-77 - Additional powers and duties of ombudsmen; agencies to cooperate.

§ 43-7-77. Additional powers and duties of ombudsmen; agencies to cooperate.

The ombudsman may request information, cooperation and assistance from any government agency, and the agency is hereby authorized and directed to provide cooperation, assistance or information that will enable the ombudsman to properly perform any of his functions, duties and powers under the provisions of Sections 43-7-51 through 43-7-79. All advocacy organizations and organizations similar in nature to the long-term care facilities ombudsman program which receive funding or official designation from the state shall cooperate with the long-term care facilities ombudsman. The Office of the State Long-Term Care Facilities Ombudsman shall maintain a close working relationship with the legal assistance developer of the Mississippi Council on Aging through adoption of memoranda of understanding. The long-term care facilities ombudsman shall seek to establish effective coordination between programs which provide legal services for the elderly, including, but not limited to, programs funded by the Federal Legal Services Corporation or the Older Americans Act of 1965, as amended, and other entities with responsibilities relevant to the health, safety, welfare and rights of residents in long-term care facilities through adoption of memoranda of understanding or other means. The long-term care facilities ombudsman may observe any survey in a long-term care facility conducted by a government agency.