Vermont § 7302 - Adoption of grievance procedure

§ 7302. Adoption of grievance procedure

• (a) [Repealed.] (b) A resident grievance mechanism plan shall include a method by which each resident
  filing a grievance will be made aware of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman and that
  the Ombudsman may be contacted as an alternative or in addition to the home’s grievance
  mechanism. As used in this section, “Ombudsman” means the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman
  established in chapter 75 of this title pursuant to the Older Americans Act of 1965,
  as amended. (c) The grievance mechanism within the facility will provide, at a minimum: (1) designation of employees responsible for handling and assessing the validity of a
  grievance or recommendation; (2) a method of investigating and assessing the validity of a grievance or recommendation; (3) methods of resolving grievances; and (4) methods of recording grievances and actions taken. (d) Complaints that cannot be resolved by the grievance procedure within the facility
  shall be referred to the Ombudsman within seven working days. (e) Within seven days of receipt of the complaint, the Ombudsman shall notify the complainant
  and the nursing home that an investigation has been initiated and that a written report
  will be made to the complainant and the nursing home within 14 days. (Added 1985, No. 153 (Adj. Sess.); amended 1989, No. 71, § 2; 1989, No. 219 (Adj. Sess.), § 9(a); 2005, No. 174 (Adj. Sess.), § 135; 2021, No. 20, § 365; 2023, No. 53, § 130, eff. June 8, 2023.)