S-2086.1 _______________________________________________
SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 5473
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State of Washington 57th Legislature 2001 Regular Session
By Senate Committee on Health & Long‑Term Care (originally sponsored by Senators Thibaudeau, Deccio, Kline, Fairley, McAuliffe, Rasmussen, Long, Winsley and Kohl‑Welles; by request of Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development)
READ FIRST TIME 03/05/01.
AN ACT Relating to creating a developmental disabilities ombudsman; and creating new sections.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature recognizes that an increasing number of individuals with developmental disabilities receive services in home and community-based settings and are not served by the long-term care ombudsman program. The legislature intends to promote the quality of services and increase consumer protections for individuals with developmental disabilities by investigating the best method of providing ombudsman services.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. The department of community, trade, and economic development shall, by December 31, 2001, prepare and present to the legislature and the governor, directly or by contract, a report of the feasibility, and advantages and disadvantages, of combining a developmental disabilities ombudsman program with the long-term care ombudsman program in chapter 43.190 RCW and the family and children's ombudsman program in chapter 43.06A RCW. The report shall also incorporate recommendations on having a single state ombudsman program, serving persons in long-term care, persons with developmental disabilities, consumers of mental health services, and persons receiving families and children's services. The report shall provide recommendations on serving persons with developmental disabilities not currently being served by any ombudsman program, avoiding duplication of services, and providing comprehensive services, while respecting the unique needs of individuals.
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