Appropriates $1 million in recurring funds for each year of the 2025-27 biennium from the General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Aging (Division), to be allocated in the specified amounts to: (1) support the operational expenses of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program and (2) fund nine additional full-time Regional Ombudsman positions to move NC toward national standards for long-term care ombudsman programs (requires these positions to be dedicated to the Regional Ombudsman Programs within the Area Agencies on Aging most in need of additional ombudsman support). 

Requires the Division, in collaboration with the Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman, Regional Offices of Long-Term Care Ombudsman within the Area Agencies on Aging, and other interested stakeholders, to study and make recommendations to the specified NCGA committee and division on changes to the statutes needed to improve and strengthen the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program and the system of Community Advisory Committee volunteers supporting the Program.

Effective July 1, 2025.