The Florida Senate

400.0083  Interference; retaliation; penalties.--

(1)  It shall be unlawful for any person, long-term care facility, or other entity to willfully interfere with a representative of the Office of State Long-Term Care Ombudsman, the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Council, or a local long-term care ombudsman council in the performance of official duties.

(2)  It shall be unlawful for any person, long-term care facility, or other entity to retaliate against any resident, employee, or other person for filing a complaint with, providing information to, or otherwise cooperating with any representative of the Office of State Long-Term Care Ombudsman, the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Council, or a local long-term care ombudsman council.

(3)(a)  Any person, long-term care facility, or other entity who violates this section shall be liable for damages and equitable relief as determined by law.

(b)  Any person, long-term care facility, or other entity who violates this section commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.083.

History.--ss. 12, 30, ch. 93-177; s. 132, ch. 2000-349; s. 52, ch. 2000-367.