North Carolina 2025 Session Status: In Committee Bipartisan · 7 D · 1 R cosponsors

HB 979 — Update Volunteer System/Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program.

Last action — Passed 1st Reading

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill is in committee in the House. Introduced April 10, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.

Next likely step: a committee vote, then a floor vote in the House.

Odds of enactment

Low chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a low chance of becoming law.

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A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Advancing 42% · moderate confidence

  • In Committee

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 8 sponsors

    3 primary, 5 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (7 D · 1 R) — cross-party backing.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

48 added · 48 removed

Plain-language change summary

In the revised version of House Bill 979, several clarifying phrases and formatting changes were made, primarily to ensure smoother reading and understanding. For example, the definitions and roles of community advisory committee members have been slightly simplified, likely to improve transparency about their responsibilities. These adjustments matter because they help ensure that members of the community understand who is serving on these committees and what their duties entail, promoting better oversight and support for nursing home residents.

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GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA H.B.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA SESSION 2025 H 1 HOUSE BILL 979 Short Title:
979 Apr 10, 2025 SESSION 2025 HOUSE PRINCIPAL CLERK H D HOUSE BILL DRH10440-MG-132 Short Title:
Representative Ball.
Representatives Ball, Colvin, Greenfield, and G.
Brown (Primary Sponsors).
For a complete list of sponsors, refer to the North Carolina General Assembly web site.
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT UPDATING AND STRENGTHENING THE SYSTEM OF VOLUNTEERS SUPPORTING THE OFFICE OF STATE LONG-TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM.
Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House April 14, 2025 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT UPDATING AND STRENGTHENING THE SYSTEM OF VOLUNTEERS SUPPORTING THE OFFICE OF STATE LONG-TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM.
… (3) "Community advisory committee" means a nursing home advisory committee established for the statutory purpose of working to carry out the intent of the Nursing Home Patients' Bill of Rights (Chapter 131E, Article 6, Part 2) in accordance with G.S.
… (3) "Communityadvisorycommittee" means a nursing home advisory committee established for the statutory purpose of working to carry out the intent of the Nursing Home Patients' Bill of Rights (Chapter 131E, Article 6, Part 2) in accordance with G.S.
*DRH10440-MG-132* General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 "§ 131E-128.
*H979-v-1* General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 "§ 131E-128.
(2) In each county with four or more nursing homes, the committee shall establish a subcommittee of no more than five members and no fewer than three members from the committee for each nursing home in the county.
(2) In each countywith four or more nursinghomes, the committee shall establish a subcommittee of no more than five members and no fewer than three members from the committee for each nursing home in the county.
(3) Boardsofcounty commissioners areencouragedto appoint theNursing Home Community Advisory Committees.
(3) Boards ofcountycommissioners areencouragedto appoint theNursingHome Community Advisory Committees.
Page 2 DRH10440-MG-132 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (5) Any individual who serves as a community advisory committee member must go through theOfficeoftheStateLong-TermCareOmbudsman's certification and designation process and meet the certification and designation requirements in accordance with the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program Policies and Procedures.
Page 2 House Bill 979-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (5) Anyindividual who serves as a communityadvisory committee member must go through theOfficeoftheStateLong-TermCareOmbudsman's certification and designation process and meet the certification and designation requirements in accordance with the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program Policies and Procedures.
Persons who were originally nominees of nursing home chief administrators and the governing bodies of the hospitals licensed under Article 5 of G.S.
Persons who were originallynominees of nursing home chief administrators and the governing bodies of the hospitals licensed under Article 5 of G.S.
Chapter 131E, which operate nursing homes fail to approve or reject the reappointment within 45 days of being requested by the board of county commissioners, the commissioners mayreappoint the member if they so choose.person designated as a volunteer ombudsman representative by the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman may serve for as long as the volunteer ombudsman representative remains in compliance with training, certification, and other applicable requirements of the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman.
Chapter 131E, which operate nursing homes fail to approve or reject the reappointment within 45 days of being requested bythe board of countycommissioners, the commissioners mayreappoint the member if theyso choose.person designated as a volunteer ombudsman representative by the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman may serve for as long as the volunteer ombudsman representative remains in compliance with training, certification, and other applicable requirements of the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman.
– The names of all designated volunteerombudsmanrepresentativesandthedates ofexpiration oftheirterms shall befiledwith the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman, which shall supply a copy of the names of all volunteer nursing home ombudsman representatives to the Division of Health Service Regulation.
– The names of all designated volunteerombudsmanrepresentativesandthedates ofexpirationoftheirterms shall befiledwith the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman, which shall supply a copy of the names of all volunteer nursing home ombudsman representatives to the Division of Health Service Regulation.
If the county commissioners fail to appoint members to a committee, or fail to fill a vacancy, the appointment shall be made or vacancy filled by the Office of the State Long-TermCareOmbudsmanno soonerthan45days afterthe commissioners havebeennotified of the appointment or vacancy if nomination or approval of the nursing home administrators and the governing bodies of the hospitals licensed under Article 5 of G.S.
If the county commissioners fail to appoint members to a committee, or fail to fill a vacancy, the appointment shall be made or vacancyfilled bythe Office of the State Long-TermCareOmbudsmanno soonerthan45days after the commissioners havebeennotified of the appointment or vacancy if nomination or approval of the nursing home administrators and the governing bodies of the hospitals licensed under Article 5 of G.S.
DRH10440-MG-132 Page 3 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (f) Minimum Qualifications for Designation.
House Bill 979-First Edition Page 3 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (f) Minimum Qualifications for Designation.
No person or (2) Does not have a financial interest in any nursing home served by the volunteer ombudsman representative and is not an immediate family member of a person with a financial interest in a nursing home served by a committee, or the volunteer.
No person or (2) Does not have a financial interest in anynursing home served bythe volunteer ombudsman representative and is not an immediate family member of a person with a financial interest in a nursing home served by a committee, or the volunteer.
(3) Is not an employee or governing board member or an immediate family memberof an employee orgoverningboardmemberof a nursing homeserved by a committee, or the volunteer.
(3) Is not an employee or governing board member or an immediate family memberof an employee orgoverningboardmemberof a nursinghomeserved by a committee, or the volunteer.
The names of the committee members and the date of expiration of their terms shall be filed with the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman, which shall supply a copy to the Division of Health Service Regulation.
The names of the committee members and the date of expiration of their terms shall be filed with the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman, which shall supply a copyto the Division of Health Service Regulation.
This those nursing homes, which may include assisting persons residents who have grievances a grievance with the a nursing home and facilitating the resolution of grievances at the local level.
This those nursing homes, which mayinclude assisting persons residents who have grievances a grievance with the a nursing home and facilitating the resolution of grievances at the local level.
In addition, each committee may visit the nursing home it serves whenever it deemsitnecessarytocarryoutitsduties.
In addition, each committee may visit the nursing home it serves whenever it deemsitnecessarytocarryout itsduties.
Incountieswithfourormorenursing homes, the subcommittee assigned to a home shall perform the duties of the Page 4 DRH10440-MG-132 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 committee under this subdivision, and a majority of the subcommittee members must be present for any visit.
Incountieswithfourormorenursing homes, the subcommittee assigned to a home shall perform the duties of the Page 4 House Bill 979-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 committee under this subdivision, and a majority of the subcommittee members must be present for any visit.
(4) The committee or subcommittee Volunteer ombudsman representatives may communicate through its chair with the Department or any other agency in relation to theinterest of any patient.
(4) The committee or subcommittee Volunteer ombudsman representatives may communicate through its chair with the Department or any other agency in relation to theinterest of anypatient.
The identity ofanycomplainant or resident involved in a complaint shall not be disclosed except as permitted under the Older Americans Act of 1965, as amended, 42 U.S.C.
The identityofanycomplainant or resident involved in a complaint shall not be disclosed except as permitted under the Older Americans Act of 1965, as amended, 42 U.S.C.
–Each board of county commissioners that has at least one licensed adult care home operating in the DRH10440-MG-132 Page 5 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 county is encouraged to nominatevolunteerombudsmanrepresentatives whoarewilling andable to serve all the adult care homes in the county, and work with each of the adult care homes for thebestinterestsoftheresidents.NotwithstandinganyotherprovisionofthisArticle,designation as a volunteer ombudsman representative is contingent upon designation of the nominee by the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman in accordance with G.S.
–Each board of county commissioners that has at least one licensed adult care home operating in the House Bill 979-First Edition Page 5 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 countyis encouraged to nominatevolunteerombudsmanrepresentatives whoarewillingandable to serve all the adult care homes in the county, and work with each of the adult care homes for thebestinterestsoftheresidents.NotwithstandinganyotherprovisionofthisArticle,designation as a volunteer ombudsman representative is contingent upon designation of the nominee by the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman in accordance with G.S.
In each county with four or more adult care homes with 10 or more beds, the committee shall establish a subcommittee of no morethanfivemembers andnofewerthan three membersfrom thecommittee for each adult care home in the county.
In each county with four or more adult care homes with 10 or more beds, the committee shall establish a subcommittee of no morethan fivemembers andnofewerthan three membersfrom thecommittee for each adult care home in the county.
Page 6 DRH10440-MG-132 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (6) Any individual who serves as a community advisory committee member must go throughtheOfficeoftheStateLong-TermCareOmbudsman's certification and designation process and meet the certification and designation requirements in accordance with the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program Policies and Procedures.
Page 6 House Bill 979-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (6) Anyindividual who serves as a communityadvisory committee member must go through theOfficeoftheStateLong-TermCareOmbudsman's certification and designation process and meet the certification and designation requirements in accordance with the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program Policies and Procedures.
Upon approval by the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman, any person appointed as a joint nursing and adult care home volunteer ombudsman representative shall exercise the their statutory rights and responsibilities of with respect to both nursing home community advisory committees and adult care home community advisory committees.
Upon approval by the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman, anyperson appointed as a joint nursing and adult care home volunteer ombudsman representative shall exercise the their statutory rights and responsibilities of with respect to both nursing home community advisory committees and adult care home community advisory committees.
Removal of the nominee's designation as a volunteer ombudsman representative by the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman automatically rescinds the designation and ends the term of a volunteer ombudsman representative.
Removal of the nominee's designation as a volunteer ombudsman representative by the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman automaticallyrescinds the designation and ends the term of a volunteer ombudsman representative.
If this vacancy is in a position filled by an appointee nominated by the chief administrators of adult care homes within the county, then the county commissioners shall fill the vacancy from personsnominatedby amajority ofthechiefadministrators.
If this vacancy is in a position filled by an appointee nominated by the chief administrators of adult care homes within the county, then the county commissioners shall fill the vacancy from personsnominatedbyamajorityofthechiefadministrators.
If the county commissioners fail to fill a vacancy, the vacancy shall be filled by the Office of the State Long-TermCareOmbudsmanno soonerthan45days afterthe commissioners havebeennotified of the appointment or vacancy.
If the county commissioners fail to fill a vacancy, the vacancy shall be filled by the Office of the State Long-TermCareOmbudsman no soonerthan45days afterthe commissioners havebeennotified of the appointment or vacancy.
DRH10440-MG-132 Page 7 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (g) Minimum Qualifications for Appointment.
House Bill 979-First Edition Page 7 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (g) Minimum Qualifications for Appointment.
Each committee member must receive volunteer ombudsman representative is required to complete certification training as specified by the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program Policies and Procedures and be designated as representatives a representative of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program prior to exercising any power under G.S.
Each committee member must receive volunteer ombudsman representative is required to complete certification training as specified bythe State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program Policies and Procedures and be designated as representatives a representative of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program prior to exercising any power under G.S.
– To the extent that any adult care home advisory committee or any member volunteer ombudsman representative is covered by liability insurance, that committee or member volunteer shall be deemed to have waived the qualified immunity provided in this subsection to the extent of indemnification by insurance." SECTION 7.
– To the extent that any adult care home advisory committee or anymember volunteer ombudsman representative is covered byliabilityinsurance, that committee or member volunteer shall be deemed to have waived the qualified immunity provided in this subsection to the extent of indemnification by insurance." SECTION 7.
(b) The committee Volunteer adult care home ombudsman representatives shall promote community education and awareness of the needs of aging and disabled persons who reside in Page 8 DRH10440-MG-132 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 adult care homes, and shall work towards keeping the public informed about aspects of long-term care and the operation of adult care homes in North Carolina.
(b) The committee Volunteer adult care home ombudsman representatives shall promote community education and awareness of the needs of aging and disabled persons who reside in Page 8 House Bill 979-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 adult care homes, and shall work towards keeping the public informed about aspects of long-term care and the operation of adult care homes in North Carolina.
(d) The committee Volunteer adult care home ombudsman representatives shall establish linkages with the adult care home administrators and the county department of social services for the purpose of maintaining the intent of the Adult Care Home Residents' Bill of Rights.
(d) The committee Volunteer adult care home ombudsman representatives shall establish linkages with the adult care home administrators and the countydepartment of social services for the purpose of maintaining the intent of the Adult Care Home Residents' Bill of Rights.
In counties with subcommittees, the subcommittee assigned to a home shall perform the duties of the committee under this subsection, and a majority of the subcommittee members must be present for any visit.
In counties with subcommittees, the subcommittee assigned to a home shall perform the duties of the committee under this subsection, and a majorityof the subcommittee members must be present for anyvisit.
In acounty wheresubcommittees havebeen established, this right ofaccess shall be limited to members of the subcommittee which serves that home.
In acountywheresubcommittees havebeen established, this right ofaccess shall be limited to members of the subcommittee which serves that home.
A majority of the committee or subcommittee members shall be present to enter the facility at other hours.
A majorityof the committee or subcommittee members shall be present to enter the facility at other hours.
(j) Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to require the expenditure of any county funds to carry out the provisions in this section." DRH10440-MG-132 Page 9 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 PART III.
(j) Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to require the expenditure of any county funds to carry out the provisions in this section." House Bill 979-First Edition Page 9 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 PART III.
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OfficeofStateLong-TermCareOmbudsmanProgram/StateOmbudsman duties.
OfficeofStateLong-TermCareOmbudsman Program/StateOmbudsman duties.
Page 10 DRH10440-MG-132
Page 10 House Bill 979-First Edition
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Action History

  1. Passed 1st Reading

  2. Ref To Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

  3. Filed

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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3 sponsors · 5 co-sponsors · 171 not signed on

Sponsors (3)

Co-sponsors (5)

Not signed on (171)

171 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

public-safety healthcare labor
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HB 979?
HB 979 is sponsored by Pricey Harrison (Democratic), Deb Butler (Democratic), Mary Belk (Democratic), Gloristine Brown (Democratic), Julia Greenfield (Democratic), Mike Colvin (Democratic), Cynthia Ball (Democratic), and Neal Jackson (Republican).
What is the current status of HB 979?
This bill is in committee in the House. Introduced April 10, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
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