a. The Division of Elder Advocacy shall report to the Governor and the Legislature on recommendations that will further the State‘s ability to secure, preserve, and promote the health, safety, and welfare of New Jersey’s elderly.

b. The Division of Elder Advocacy shall have the authority to hold a public hearing on the subject of any investigation or study. The division shall hear testimony from agency and program representatives, the public in general, and such others as may be deemed appropriate.

c. The Division of Elder Advocacy shall have access to the records and facilities of every agency, funded entity, or other recipient of public funds to the extent that any such records and facilities are related to the expenditure of public funds, provided that the division complies with all privacy and confidentiality protections applicable to those records and facilities, notwithstanding any contrary provision of law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Division of Elder Advocacy shall have access to any facility or institution, whether public or private, offering health or health-related services for the institutionalized elderly which is subject to regulation, visitation, inspection or supervision by any government agency, provided such access is permitted by State or federal law. All agencies shall cooperate with the Division of Elder Advocacy and, when requested, shall provide specific information in the form requested.

L.2005,c.155,s.64.