A new bill filed by State Rep. Frank Iler in the North Carolina House seeks to enhance the state’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program through increased funding and staffing, according to the North Carolina State House.
The bill, filed as HB 513 on March 25 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Strengthen Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill allocates $1 million annually from the General Fund to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Aging, for the 2025–2027 fiscal biennium. The appropriation aims to strengthen the state’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program. Of the funds, $145,000 in 2025-26 and $106,750 in 2026-27 will cover operational expenses, including equipment, supplies, and transportation. Additionally, $855,000 in 2025-26 and $893,250 in 2026-27 will finance nine new full-time Regional Ombudsman positions. These positions are intended to align North Carolina’s program with national standards, particularly in Regional Ombudsman Programs deemed most in need by the state’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman Office. The act is set to take effect July 1, 2025.
Of the four sponsors of this bill, Renée A. Price and Tricia Ann Cotham proposed the most bills (21) during the 2025 regular session.
Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.
You can read more about the bills and other measures here.
Ller graduated from Campbell University with a BA.
Ller, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2009 to represent the state’s 17th House district, replacing previous state representative Bonner Stiller.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frank Iler, Allen Buansi, Renée A. Price, and Tricia Ann Cotham | HB 513 | 03/25/2025 | Strengthen Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program. |
| Frank Iler and Ya Liu | HB 444 | 03/18/2025 | Homeowners Association Reform Bill. |
| Frank Iler | HB 394 | 03/13/2025 | Distracted Driving/Children and Animals. |
| Frank Iler, Brenden H. Jones, Karl E. Gillespie, and Steve Tyson | HB 295 | 03/05/2025 | Req. DOT to Install Prop. Corner Markers. |
| Frank Iler and Charles W. Miller | HB 140 | 02/17/2025 | Authorize Gullah Geechee Heritage Trail. |
| Frank Iler | HB 117 | 02/12/2025 | Ocean Isle Beach/Sunset Beach/Parking Fees. |
