Rep. Ball files bill in North Carolina House to update long-term care volunteer system

A new bill filed by State Rep. Cynthia Ball seeks to improve the volunteer roles and responsibilities within the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program to better support nursing home and adult care home residents, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 979 on April 10 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Update Volunteer System/LTC 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 updates the volunteer system supporting the North Carolina State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, enhancing roles and responsibilities for volunteer nursing home and adult care home ombudsman representatives. It outlines the designation, training, and accountability process for these volunteers, emphasizing community involvement and cooperation with care facilities to uphold the Nursing Home Patients’ and Adult Care Home Residents’ Bill of Rights. The bill stipulates that volunteers must be certified and designated by the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman, with specific eligibility criteria and term conditions provided. It also details the powers and duties of the volunteers while ensuring communication and complaint privacy. This act takes effect on Oct. 1, 2025.

Of the four sponsors of this bill, Julia Greenfield proposed the most bills (28) 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.

Ball graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a BA and again from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Ball, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2017 to represent the state’s 49th House district, replacing previous state representative Gary Pendleton.