(1) The resident has the right and the facility must not interfere with access to any resident by the following:

(a) Any representative of the state;

(b) The resident's individual physician;

(c) The state long-term care ombuds as established under chapter 43.190 RCW;

(d) The agency responsible for the protection and advocacy system for individuals with developmental disabilities as established under part C of the developmental disabilities assistance and bill of rights act;

(e) The agency responsible for the protection and advocacy system for individuals with mental illness as established under the protection and advocacy for mentally ill individuals act;

(f) Subject to reasonable restrictions to protect the rights of others and to the resident's right to deny or withdraw consent at any time, resident representative, immediate family or other relatives of the resident, and others who are visiting with the consent of the resident;

(g) The agency responsible for the protection and advocacy system for individuals with disabilities as established under section 509 of the rehabilitation act of 1973, as amended, who are not served under the mandates of existing protection and advocacy systems created under federal law.

(2) The facility must provide reasonable access to a resident by the resident representative or an entity or individual that provides health, social, legal, or other services to the resident, subject to the resident's right to deny or withdraw consent at any time.

(3) The facility must allow representatives of the state ombuds to examine a resident's clinical records with the permission of the resident or resident representative to the extent provided by law, and consistent with state and federal law.

Findings—2021 c 159: See note following RCW 18.20.520.