16 Del. C. § 1152: Purpose and duties.

The purpose of the Ombudsperson is to provide a program to advocate for and promote the adequacy of care received and the quality of life experienced by residents of long-term care facilities in Delaware. The Ombudsperson shall have the power to:

(1) Investigate and seek to resolve complaints and concerns made by or on behalf of residents of long-term care facilities in the State relating to the actions or inactions of any long-term care facility or agencies which may adversely affect the health, safety, welfare or rights of such residents;

(2) Promote the well-being and quality of life of residents of long-term care facilities;

(3) Enter into written agreements of understanding, cooperation and collaboration with other government agencies that provide funding, oversight, inspection or operation of long-term care facilities;

(4) Establish and carry out program policies and procedures for eliciting, receiving, investigating, verifying, referring and resolving residents’ complaints;

(5) Receive and investigate complaints of abuse, mistreatment or neglect in accordance with subchapter III of this chapter;

(6) Promulgate rules and regulations and adopt policies to implement this subchapter; and

(7) Perform other duties as mandated by the Older Americans Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. § 3001 et seq.).