(1) A person, long-term care facility, or other entity may not willfully interfere with a representative of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program in the performance of official duties.
(2) A person, long-term care facility, or other entity may not knowingly or willfully take action or retaliate against any resident, employee, or other person for filing a complaint with, providing information to, or otherwise cooperating with any representative of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program.
(3) A person, long-term care facility, or other entity that violates this section:
(a) Is liable for damages and equitable relief as determined by law.
(b) 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; s. 16, ch. 2006-121; s. 15, ch. 2015-31.