Revised Code of Washington
Chapter 43.70 - Department of Health.
43.70.020 - Department created.

RCW 43.70.020
Department created.

(1) There is hereby created a department of state government to be known as the department of health. The department shall be vested with all powers and duties transferred to it by chapter 9, Laws of 1989 1st ex. sess. and such other powers and duties as may be authorized by law. The main administrative office of the department shall be located in the city of Olympia. The secretary may establish administrative facilities in other locations, if deemed necessary for the efficient operation of the department, and if consistent with the principles set forth in subsection (2) of this section.
(2) The department of health shall be organized consistent with the goals of providing state government with a focus in health and serving the people of this state. The legislature recognizes that the secretary needs sufficient organizational flexibility to carry out the department's various duties. To the extent practical, the secretary shall consider the following organizational principles:
(a) Clear lines of authority which avoid functional duplication within and between subelements of the department;
(b) A clear and simplified organizational design promoting accessibility, responsiveness, and accountability to the legislature, the consumer, and the general public;
(c) Maximum span of control without jeopardizing adequate supervision;
(d) A substate or regional organizational structure for the department's health service delivery programs and activities that encourages joint working agreements with local health departments and that is consistent between programs;
(e) Decentralized authority and responsibility, with clear accountability;
(f) A single point of access for persons receiving like services from the department which would limit the number of referrals between divisions.
(3) The department shall provide leadership and coordination in identifying and resolving threats to the public health by:
(a) Working with local health departments and local governments to strengthen the state and local governmental partnership in providing public protection;
(b) Developing intervention strategies;
(c) Providing expert advice to the executive and legislative branches of state government;
(d) Providing active and fair enforcement of rules;
(e) Working with other federal, state, and local agencies and facilitating their involvement in planning and implementing health preservation measures;
(f) Providing information to the public; and
(g) Carrying out such other related actions as may be appropriate to this purpose.
(4) In accordance with the administrative procedure act, chapter 34.05 RCW, the department shall ensure an opportunity for consultation, review, and comment by the department's clients before the adoption of standards, guidelines, and rules.
(5) Consistent with the principles set forth in subsection (2) of this section, the secretary may create such administrative divisions, offices, bureaus, and programs within the department as the secretary deems necessary. The secretary shall have complete charge of and supervisory powers over the department, except where the secretary's authority is specifically limited by law.
(6) The secretary shall appoint such personnel as are necessary to carry out the duties of the department in accordance with chapter 41.06 RCW.
(7) The secretary shall appoint the state health officer and such deputy secretaries, assistant secretaries, and other administrative positions as deemed necessary consistent with the principles set forth in subsection (2) of this section. All persons who administer the necessary divisions, offices, bureaus, and programs, and five additional employees shall be exempt from the provisions of chapter 41.06 RCW. The officers and employees appointed under this subsection shall be paid salaries to be fixed by the governor in accordance with the procedure established by law for the fixing of salaries for officers exempt from the state civil service law.
(8) The secretary shall administer family services and programs to promote the state's policy as provided in RCW 74.14A.025.

[ 1992 c 198 § 8; 1989 1st ex.s. c 9 § 103.]

Structure Revised Code of Washington

Revised Code of Washington

Title 43 - State Government—Executive

Chapter 43.70 - Department of Health.

43.70.005 - Intent.

43.70.010 - Definitions.

43.70.020 - Department created.

43.70.030 - Secretary of health.

43.70.040 - Secretary's powers—Rule-making authority—Report to the legislature.

43.70.041 - Five-year formal review process of existing rules.

43.70.045 - Warren Featherstone Reid Award for Excellence in Health Care.

43.70.047 - Warren Featherstone Reid Award for Excellence in Health Care.

43.70.050 - Collection, use, and accessibility of health-related data.

43.70.052 - Hospital financial and patient discharge data—Financial reports—Data retrieval—American Indian health data—Reporting—Patient discharge data—Confidentiality and protection.

43.70.053 - Hospital consolidated annual income—Reporting.

43.70.054 - Health care data standards—Submittal of standards to legislature.

43.70.056 - Health care-associated infections—Data collection and reporting—Advisory committee—Rules.

43.70.057 - Hospital emergency room patient care information—Data collection, maintenance, analysis, and dissemination—Rules.

43.70.060 - Duties of department—Promotion of health care cost-effectiveness.

43.70.064 - Health care quality—Findings and intent—Requirements for conducting study under RCW 43.70.066.

43.70.066 - Study—Uniform quality assurance and improvement program—Reports to legislature—Limitation on rule making.

43.70.068 - Quality assurance—Interagency cooperation.

43.70.070 - Duties of department—Analysis of health services.

43.70.075 - Identity of whistleblower protected—Remedy for retaliatory action—Definitions—Rules.

43.70.080 - Transfer of powers and duties from the department of social and health services.

43.70.081 - Transfer of certain behavioral health-related powers, duties, and functions from the department of social and health services.

43.70.090 - Authority to administer oaths and issue subpoenas—Provisions governing subpoenas.

43.70.095 - Civil fines.

43.70.097 - Enforcement in accordance with RCW 43.05.100 and 43.05.110.

43.70.100 - Reports of violations by secretary—Duty to institute proceedings—Notice to alleged violator.

43.70.110 - License fees—Costs—Other charges—Waiver.

43.70.112 - Online access to health care resources—Annual accounting of use of funds and use of online resources—University of Washington.

43.70.115 - Licenses—Denial, suspension, revocation, modification.

43.70.117 - Health care professionals licensed in another state or United States territory or the District of Columbia—In-state practice on a limited basis—Requirements—Limitations.

43.70.120 - Federal programs—Rules—Statutes to be construed to meet federal law.

43.70.125 - Health care facility certification—Unfunded federal mandates—Applicant fees.

43.70.130 - Powers and duties of secretary—General.

43.70.140 - Annual conference of health officers.

43.70.150 - Registration of vital statistics.

43.70.170 - Threat to public health—Investigation, examination or sampling of articles or conditions constituting—Access—Subpoena power.

43.70.180 - Threat to public health—Order prohibiting sale or disposition of food or other items pending investigation.

43.70.185 - Inspection of property where marine species located—Prohibitions on harvest or landing—Penalties.

43.70.190 - Violations—Injunctions and legal proceedings authorized.

43.70.195 - Public water systems—Receivership actions brought by secretary—Plan for disposition.

43.70.200 - Enforcement of health laws and state or local rules and regulations upon request of local health officer.

43.70.210 - Right of person to rely on prayer to alleviate ailments not abridged.

43.70.220 - Transfer of powers and duties from the department of licensing.

43.70.230 - Office of health consumer assistance created—Duties.

43.70.240 - Written operating agreements.

43.70.250 - License fees for professions, occupations, and businesses.

43.70.260 - Appointment of temporary additional members of boards and committees for administration and grading of examinations.

43.70.270 - License moratorium for persons in the service—Rules.

43.70.280 - Procedure for issuance, renewal, or reissuance of credentials—Extension or modification of licensing, certification, or registration period authorized.

43.70.290 - Funeral directors and embalmers subject to chapter 18.130 RCW.

43.70.300 - Secretary or secretary's designee ex officio member of health professional licensure and disciplinary boards.

43.70.310 - Cooperation with department of ecology.

43.70.320 - Health professions account—Fees credited—Requirements for biennial budget request—Unappropriated funds.

43.70.323 - Hospital infection control grant account.

43.70.327 - Public health supplemental account—Annual statement.

43.70.334 - Temporary worker housing—Definition.

43.70.335 - Temporary worker housing operating license—Fee—Display—Suspension or revocation—Fines—Refunds—Rules—Application of department of labor and industries standards.

43.70.337 - Temporary worker housing building permit—Plans and specifications—Fees—Rules.

43.70.340 - Temporary worker housing inspection fund—Fees on temporary worker housing operating licenses and building permits—Licenses generally.

43.70.400 - Head injury prevention—Legislative finding.

43.70.410 - Head injury prevention—Program, generally.

43.70.420 - Head injury prevention—Information preparation.

43.70.430 - Head injury prevention—Guidelines on training and education—Training of emergency medical personnel.

43.70.435 - Diagnosed concussions of students—Report.

43.70.440 - Head injury prevention act—Short title—1990 c 270.

43.70.442 - Suicide assessment, treatment, and management training—Requirement for certain professionals—Exemptions—Model list of programs—Rules—Health profession training standards provided to the professional educator standards board.

43.70.443 - Study of evidence-based suicide assessment, treatment, and management training—Report—Updates.

43.70.444 - Washington plan for suicide prevention—Steering committee—Report.

43.70.446 - Suicide-safer homes project—Suicide-safer homes project account.

43.70.447 - Suicide assessment, treatment, and management—Curriculum for dental students and dentists.

43.70.452 - Agricultural industry workforce behavioral health improvement and suicide prevention—Pilot program.

43.70.460 - Retired primary and specialty care provider liability malpractice insurance—Program authorized.

43.70.470 - Retired health care provider liability malpractice insurance—Conditions.

43.70.480 - Emergency medical personnel—Futile treatment and natural death directives—Guidelines.

43.70.490 - Emergency medical service personnel training program—Assistance to persons with disabilities—Requirements—Law enforcement officer training—Definitions.

43.70.495 - Telemedicine training for health care professionals.

43.70.500 - Health care services practice indicators and risk management protocols.

43.70.510 - Health care services coordinated quality improvement program—Rules.

43.70.512 - Public health system—Foundational public health services—Intent.

43.70.515 - Foundational public health services—Funding.

43.70.525 - Immunization assessment and enhancement proposals by local jurisdictions.

43.70.526 - Childhood immunizations—Resources for expecting parents.

43.70.533 - Chronic conditions—Training and technical assistance for primary care providers.

43.70.540 - Data collection—Legislative finding and intent.

43.70.545 - Data collection and reporting rules.

43.70.550 - Public health services improvement plan—Contents.

43.70.555 - Assessment standards.

43.70.560 - Media violence—Reporting reduction efforts.

43.70.570 - Intent—1995 c 43.

43.70.575 - Definitions.

43.70.590 - American Indian health care delivery plan.

43.70.595 - Health equity zones.

43.70.600 - Survey regarding exposure to radio frequencies—Results.

43.70.605 - Personal wireless services—Random testing on power density analysis—Rules.

43.70.610 - Domestic violence education program—Established—Findings.

43.70.613 - Health care professionals—Health equity continuing education.

43.70.615 - Multicultural health awareness and education program—Integration into health professions basic education preparation curriculum.

43.70.617 - Prenatal nutrition best practices—Educational resources for pregnant women.

43.70.619 - Pregnancy complications—Informational resources.

43.70.620 - List of contacts—Health care professions.

43.70.630 - Cost-reimbursement agreements.

43.70.640 - Workplace breastfeeding policies—Infant-friendly designation.

43.70.645 - Donor human milk—Milk bank safety standards.

43.70.650 - School sealant endorsement program—Rules—Fee—Report to the legislature.

43.70.660 - Product safety education.

43.70.665 - Early detection breast and cervical cancer screening program—Medical advisory committee.

43.70.670 - Human immunodeficiency virus insurance program.

43.70.675 - Public health advisory board.

43.70.680 - Volunteers for emergency or disaster assistance.

43.70.690 - State asthma plan.

43.70.700 - Locally grown foods—Women, infant, and children farmers market nutrition program—Fruit and vegetable benefit—Rules.

43.70.705 - Fall prevention program.

43.70.710 - Annual review of medication practices of five jails that use nonpractitioner jail personnel—Noncompliance.

43.70.715 - COVID-19 public health response account.

43.70.720 - Universal vaccine purchase account.

43.70.725 - Health extension program—Dissemination of evidence-based tools and resources—Rules.

43.70.738 - Down syndrome resources—Development.

43.70.740 - Adjudicative proceedings.

43.70.750 - Community assistance referral and education program—Review of certification and training—Recommendations to the legislature.

43.70.765 - Opioid drugs—Warning—Patient education materials.

43.70.770 - State opioid response plan.

43.70.780 - Fruit and vegetable incentives program.

43.70.790 - Health care facility inspection and investigation availability.

43.70.800 - Oversight, consolidation, and standardization—Review.

43.70.810 - Provision of medical information—Dissemination of requirements and authority.

43.70.815 - Environmental health disparities map.

43.70.820 - Environmental justice obligations of the department of health.

43.70.825 - School-based health center program office.

43.70.830 - Lead contamination in drinking water in school buildings—Sampling and testing—Data-sharing agreement.

43.70.835 - Lead contamination in drinking water in school buildings—State-tribal compact schools.

43.70.840 - Lead contamination in drinking water in school buildings—Technical guidance.

43.70.845 - Lead contamination in drinking water in school buildings—Department of health as lead agency—Waiver.

43.70.850 - Suicide-safer homes task force.

43.70.900 - References to the secretary or department of social and health services—1989 1st ex.s. c 9.

43.70.901 - References to the director or department of licensing—1989 1st ex.s. c 9.

43.70.902 - References to the hospital commission—1989 1st ex.s. c 9.

43.70.910 - Effective date—1989 1st ex.s. c 9.

43.70.920 - Severability—1989 1st ex.s. c 9.