WA SB5964

Creates a new Office of the State Senior Independent Living Ombuds within the Department of Commerce to serve Washingtonians over 55 living in age-restricted rental communities and continuing care retirement communities not licensed as long-term care facilities

Requires the Department of Commerce to contract with a private nonprofit organization to provide ombuds services, including complaint investigation, data tracking, and coordination with long-term care and developmental disabilities ombuds offices

Mandates ombuds have training or experience in housing programs, consumer protection law, the legal system, or landlord-tenant law, and prohibits those with financial ties to senior living communities in the past 5 years from serving

Requires senior independent living communities to post ombuds contact information and provide notice to residents before finalizing rental agreements or contracts, and at each renewal

Establishes confidentiality protections for complaint records and immunity from liability for ombuds acting in good faith, while requiring referrals to state agencies, law enforcement, or the Attorney General when investigations find potential violations