(1) The department of social and health services and the department of early learning shall:

(a) Allow the ombuds or the ombuds's designee to communicate privately with any child in the custody of the department of social and health services, or any child who is part of a near fatality investigation by the department of early learning, for the purposes of carrying out its duties under this chapter;

(b) Permit the ombuds or the ombuds designee physical access to state institutions serving children, and state licensed facilities or residences for the purpose of carrying out its duties under this chapter;

(c) Upon the ombuds's request, grant the ombuds or the ombuds's designee the right to access, inspect, and copy all relevant information, records, or documents in the possession or control of the department of social and health services or the department of early learning that the ombuds considers necessary in an investigation; and

(d) Grant the office of the family and children's ombuds unrestricted online access to the child welfare case management information system and the department of early learning data information system for the purpose of carrying out its duties under this chapter.

(2) For the purposes of this section, "near fatality" means an act that, as certified by a physician, places the child in serious or critical condition.

(3) Nothing in this section creates a duty for the office of the family and children's ombuds under RCW 43.06A.030 as related to children in the care of an early learning program described in RCW 43.215.400 through 43.215.450, a licensed child care center, or a licensed child care home.

[2015 c 199 § 2; 2013 c 23 § 80; 2008 c 211 § 3; 1999 c 390 § 5.]

NOTES: