SECTION 28. Long term care ombudsman program; director

The secretary shall, subject to appropriation or the receipt of federal funds, establish a statewide long term care ombudsman program for the purpose of advocating on behalf of long term care facility residents and of receiving, investigating and resolving through administrative action complaints filed by residents of long term care facilities, individuals acting on their behalf or any individual organization or government agency that has reason to believe that a long term care facility, organization or government agency has engaged in activities, practices or omissions that constitute violations of applicable statutes or regulations or that may have an adverse effect upon the health, safety, welfare or rights of residents of such long term care facilities. The secretary shall appoint an ombudsman to act as the director of the ombudsman program who shall be a person qualified by training and experience to perform the duties of the office. Said ombudsman shall not be subject to the provisions of section nine A of chapter thirty or chapter thirty-one.