Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
Children & Family Services

HB 1338

Brief Description:  Creating a developmental disabilities ombudsman.

Sponsors:  Representatives Tokuda, O'Brien, Boldt, Simpson, Wood, Edmonds, Kenney, Kagi, Schual‑Berke and Santos.

Brief Summary of Bill

$The Developmental Disabilities Ombudsman is created.  The office will operate under contract with the Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development (DCTED).

Hearing Date:  2/5/01

Staff:  Deborah Frazier (786‑7152).

Background: 

The Division of Developmental Disabilities of the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) serves over 30,000 persons monthly through five state operated Residential Habilitation Centers (RHCs) and an array of state operated and contracted community based services.

The Long Term Care Ombudsman serves persons with developmental disabilities who live in adult family homes, boarding homes, or nursing homes.

The Children & Family Ombudsman serves persons with developmental disabilities who live in foster care.

Summary of Bill: 

The Developmental Disabilities Ombudsman is created to serve persons with developmental disabilities not already served by an Ombudsman.  Priority is given to those receiving community based Medicaid funded services.   The Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development (DCTED) will award  the contract through a competitive process.

Duties and qualifications of the Developmental Disabilities Ombudsman are established.  Duties  include:  complaint investigation; protecting the interests and advocating for persons with developmental disabilities; informing individuals of their rights and responsibilities; entering into coordination agreements with other entities with overlapping authority; establishing a toll-free number; and preparing an annual report to the Legislature.

Confidentiality standards are established.  Records access and access to persons served by the DSHS are mandated.

Effective Date:  The bill takes effect on July 1, 2001.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.