A bill for an act relating to the office of long-term care ombudsman and making an appropriation.

SF 536 appropriates $300,000 from Iowa's general fund for the fiscal year 2025-2026 to increase the number of local long-term care ombudsmen. This funding directly supports residents and tenants in nursing homes by enabling more staff to conduct site visits and fulfill ombudsman duties focused on protecting health, safety, and rights. The bill specifies that the funds are in addition to existing appropriations and must prioritize facilities that recently changed ownership, especially those transitioning to private equity. The key mechanism is expanding staffing capacity through dedicated funding for salaries and operational resources.