Requires State Long-Term Care Ombudsman to assign paid or volunteer advocates to long-term care facilities; makes appropriation.

S 1345 requires New Jersey's State Long-Term Care Ombudsman to assign paid or volunteer advocates directly to long-term care facilities. These advocates must conduct in-person visits with residents to help address their financial, health, legal, and social needs. The bill mandates an appropriation from the General Fund to cover the costs of this new requirement. It specifically amends the Ombudsman's responsibilities under P.L.1977, c.239, focusing on direct resident support through on-site advocacy.