52-3-604. Access to long-term care facilities. (1) Subject to subsection (2), the long-term care ombudsman or local ombudsman must have access without advance notice to any long-term care facility, including private access to any resident, for the purpose of meeting with residents, investigating and resolving complaints, and advising residents on their rights.
     (2) Access must be granted to the long-term care ombudsman or local ombudsman during normal visiting hours and to the long-term care ombudsman at any time. A local ombudsman may have access after normal visiting hours with approval, directions, and oversight of the long-term care ombudsman when necessary to perform the duties described in 52-3-603.
     (3) The ombudsman shall carry out the duties described in 52-3-603 in a manner that is least disruptive to resident care and activities.

     History: En. Sec. 4, Ch. 223, L. 1987; Sec. 53-5-804, MCA 1989; redes. 52-3-604 by Code Commissioner, 1991; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 60, L. 2007.