Washington · statute · Wash. Rev. Code ch. 43.382 · 11 active provisions
(1) There is created an office of the developmental disabilities ombuds. The department of commerce shall contract with a private, independent nonprofit organization to provide developmental disability ombuds services. The department of commerce shall designate, by a competitive bidding process, the nonprofit organizat…
The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.(1) "Administration" means the developmental disabilities administration of the department of social and health services.(2) "Department" means the department of social and health services.(3) "Ombuds" means the…
The ombuds shall collaborate and have a memoranda of agreement with the office of the state long-term care ombuds, the office of the family and children's ombuds, Washington protection and advocacy system, the mental health ombuds, and the office of the education ombuds to clarify authority in those situations where th…
(1) A developmental disabilities ombuds shall not have participated in the paid provision of services to any person with developmental disabilities within the past year.(2) A developmental disabilities ombuds shall not have been employed in a governmental position with direct involvement in the licensing, certification…
The ombuds shall treat all matters under investigation, including the identities of service recipients, complainants, and individuals from whom information is acquired, as confidential, except as far as disclosures may be necessary to enable the ombuds to perform the duties of the office and to support any recommendati…
(1) Identifying information about complainants or witnesses is not subject to any method of legal compulsion and may not be revealed to the legislature or the governor except under the following circumstances: (a) The complainant or witness waives confidentiality; (b) under a legislative subpoena when there is a legisl…
The privilege described in RCW 43.382.050 does not apply when:(1) The ombuds or ombuds' staff member has direct knowledge of an alleged crime, and the testimony, evidence, or discovery sought is relevant to that allegation;(2) The ombuds or a member of the ombuds' staff has received a threat of, or becomes aware of a r…
(1) An employee of the office of the developmental disabilities ombuds is not liable for good faith performance of responsibilities under this chapter.(2) No discriminatory, disciplinary, or retaliatory action may be taken against an employee of the department, an employee of the department of commerce, an employee of…
When the ombuds or ombuds' staff member has reasonable cause to believe that any public official, employee, or other person has acted in a manner warranting criminal or disciplinary proceedings, the ombuds or ombuds' staff member shall report the matter, or cause a report to be made, to the appropriate authorities.
The department and the department of health shall:(1) Allow the ombuds or the ombuds' designee to communicate privately with any person receiving services from the department, or any person who is part of a fatality or near fatality investigation involving a person with developmental disabilities, for the purposes of c…
(1) By November 1, 2028, and in compliance with RCW 43.01.036, the office of the developmental disability [disabilities] ombuds shall submit a report to the appropriate committees of the legislature that includes summaries of resident, parent, and guardian feedback regarding transition of residents out of the Rainier s…