WA SB5606

Requires the long-term care ombuds program to develop biennial funding recommendations by June 1, 2026, and every even-numbered year thereafter, in partnership with the Department of Commerce and consulting with the Office of Financial Management

Funding recommendations must achieve the Institute of Medicine's recommended ratio of one full-time ombuds per 2,000 long-term care facility residents

Recommendations must account for growth in licensed long-term care beds as forecast by the caseload forecast council, consumer price index inflation, and Department of Commerce administrative needs

Department of Commerce must submit the funding recommendations to the Office of Financial Management and chairs of the legislature's fiscal committees with operating budget jurisdiction

A 2020 Department of Commerce report found current funding insufficient to meet the Institute of Medicine's staffing ratio for ombuds serving vulnerable adults in licensed long-term care facilities