PART EEE

Sec. EEE-1. 22 MRSA §4087-A, sub-§4, as enacted by PL 2001, c. 439, Pt. X, §5, is amended to read:

4. Services. The program shall provide services directly or under contract and may set priorities for service among the types of inquiries and complaints. The first priority in the work of the program and any contract for ombudsman services must be case- specific advocacy services.__Any work on systems improvements or lobbying must be adjunctive to case-specific activities. The program may:

A. Provide information to the public about the services of the program through a comprehensive outreach program. The ombudsman shall provide information through a toll-free telephone number or numbers;

B. Answer inquiries, investigate and work toward resolution of complaints regarding the performance and services of the department and participate in conferences, meetings and studies that may improve the performance of the department;

C. Provide services to persons to assist them in protecting their rights;

D. Inform persons of the means of obtaining services from the department;

E. Provide information and referral services;

F. Analyze and provide opinions and recommendations to agencies, the Governor and the Legislature on state programs, rules, policies and laws;

G. Determine what types of complaints and inquiries will be accepted for action by the program and adopt policies and procedures regarding communication with persons making inquiries or complaints and the department;

H. Apply for and utilize grants, gifts and funds for the purpose of performing the duties of the program; and

I. Collect and analyze records and data relevant to the duties and activities of the program and make reports as required by law or determined to be appropriate.