reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.41 - Hospital Licensing and Regulation. › 70.41.520 - Access to care policies for admission, nondiscrimination, and reproductive health care—Requirement to submit, post on website, and use department-created form.

RCW 70.41.520
Access to care policies for admission, nondiscrimination, and reproductive health care—Requirement to submit, post on website, and use department-created form.
(1) Every hospital must submit to the department its policies related to access to care regarding:
(a) Admission;
(b) End-of-life care and the death with dignity act, chapter 70.245 RCW;
(c) Nondiscrimination; and
(d) Reproductive health care.
(2) The department shall post a copy of the policies received under subsection (1) of this section on its website.
(3) If a hospital makes changes to any of the policies listed under subsection (1) of this section, it must submit a copy of the changed policy to the department within thirty days after the hospital approves the changes.
(4) A hospital must post a copy of the policies provided to the department under subsection (1) of this section and the forms required under subsection (5) of this section to the hospital's own website in a location where the policies are readily accessible to the public without a required login or other restriction.
(5)(a) The department shall, in consultation with stakeholders including a hospital association and patient advocacy groups, develop two simple and clear forms to be submitted by hospitals along with the policies required in subsection (1) of this section. One form must provide the public with specific information about which reproductive health care services are and are not generally available at each hospital. The other form must provide the public with specific information about which end-of-life services are and are not generally available at each hospital. Each form must include contact information for the hospital in case patients have specific questions about services available at the hospital.
(b) The department shall provide the form required in this subsection related to end-of-life care and the death with dignity act, chapter 70.245 RCW, by November 1, 2023. Hospitals shall submit the completed form to the department within 60 days of the form being provided.
[ 2023 c 38 § 18; 2019 c 399 § 4.]
NOTES:
Findings—Short title—2019 c 399: See notes following RCW 74.09.875.
Recommendations—Preexposure and postexposure prophylaxis financial support awareness—2019 c 399: See note following RCW 48.43.072.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.41 - Hospital Licensing and Regulation. › 70.41.530 - Audio-only telemedicine—Facility fees.

RCW 70.41.530
Audio-only telemedicine—Facility fees.
A hospital that is an originating site or distant site for audio-only telemedicine may not charge a facility fee.
[ 2022 c 126 § 1.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.41 - Hospital Licensing and Regulation. › 70.41.540 - Multistate nurse license—Conditions of employment.

RCW 70.41.540
Multistate nurse license—Conditions of employment.
(1) Beginning September 1, 2023, and annually thereafter, individuals that hold a multistate nurse license issued by a state other than Washington and are employed by hospitals licensed under this chapter shall complete any demographic data surveys required by the board of nursing in rule as a condition of employment.
(2) Individuals that hold a multistate nurse license issued by a state other than Washington and are employed by hospitals licensed under this chapter shall complete the suicide assessment, treatment, and management training required by RCW 43.70.442(5)(a) as a condition of employment.
(3) Hospitals shall report to the board of nursing, within 30 days of employment, all nurses holding a multistate license issued by a state other than Washington and an attestation that the employees holding a multistate license issued by a state other than Washington have completed the tasks required under this section as a condition of employment.
(4) This section is subject to enforcement by the department.
[ 2023 c 123 § 24.]
NOTES:
Short title—2023 c 123: See RCW 18.80.900.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.41 - Hospital Licensing and Regulation. › 70.41.900 - Severability—1955 c 267.

RCW 70.41.900
Severability—1955 c 267.
If any part, or parts, of this chapter shall be held unconstitutional, the remaining provisions shall be given full force and effect, as completely as if the part held unconstitutional had not been included herein, if any such remaining part can then be administered for the purpose of establishing and maintaining standards for hospitals.
[ 1955 c 267 § 21.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.42 - Medical Test Sites. › 70.42.005 - Intent—Construction.

RCW 70.42.005
Intent—Construction.
The legislature intends that medical test sites meet criteria known to promote accurate and reliable analysis, thus improving health care through uniform test site licensure and regulation including quality control, quality assurance, and proficiency testing. The legislature also intends to meet the requirements of federal laws licensing and regulating medical testing.
The legislature intends that nothing in this chapter shall be interpreted to place any liability whatsoever on the state for the action or inaction of test sites or test site personnel. The legislature further intends that nothing in this chapter shall be interpreted to expand the state's role regarding medical testing beyond the provisions of this chapter.
[ 1989 c 386 § 1.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.42 - Medical Test Sites. › 70.42.010 - Definitions.

RCW 70.42.010
Definitions.
Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.
(1) "Department" means the *department of health if enacted, otherwise the department of social and health services.
(2) "Designated test site supervisor" means the available individual who is responsible for the technical functions of the test site and who meets the department's qualifications set out in rule by the department.
(3) "Person" means any individual, or any public or private organization, agent, agency, corporation, firm, association, partnership, or business.
(4) "Proficiency testing program" means an external service approved by the department which provides samples to evaluate the accuracy, reliability and performance of the tests at each test site.
(5) "Quality assurance" means a comprehensive set of policies, procedures, and practices to assure that a test site's results are accurate and reliable. Quality assurance means a total program of internal and external quality control, equipment preventative maintenance, calibration, recordkeeping, and proficiency testing evaluation, including a written quality assurance plan.
(6) "Quality control" means internal written procedures and day-to-day analysis of laboratory reference materials at each test site to insure precision and accuracy of test methodology, equipment, and results.
(7) "Test" means any examination or procedure conducted on a sample taken from the human body, including screening.
(8) "Test site" means any facility or site, public or private, which analyzes materials derived from the human body for the purposes of health care, treatment, or screening. A test site does not mean a facility or site, including a residence, where a test approved for home use by the federal food and drug administration is used by an individual to test himself or herself without direct supervision or guidance by another and where this test is not part of a commercial transaction.
[ 1989 c 386 § 2.]
NOTES:
*Reviser's note: 1989 1st ex.s. c 14 created the department of health.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.42 - Medical Test Sites. › 70.42.020 - License required.

RCW 70.42.020
License required.
After July 1, 1990, no person may advertise, operate, manage, own, conduct, open, or maintain a test site without first obtaining a license for the tests to be performed, except as provided in RCW 70.42.030.
[ 1989 c 386 § 3.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.42 - Medical Test Sites. › 70.42.030 - Waiver of license—Conditions.

RCW 70.42.030
Waiver of license—Conditions.
(1) As a part of the application for licensure, a test site may request a waiver from licensure under this chapter if the test site performs only examinations which are determined to have insignificant risk of an erroneous result, including those which (a) are approved by the federal food and drug administration for home use; (b) are so simple and accurate as to render the likelihood of erroneous results negligible; or (c) pose no reasonable risk of harm to the patient if performed incorrectly.
(2) The department shall determine by rule which tests meet the criteria in subsection (1) of this section and shall be exempt from coverage of this chapter. The standards applied in developing the list shall be consistent with federal law and regulations.
(3) The department shall grant a waiver from licensure for two years for a valid request based on subsections (1) and (2) of this section.
(4) Any test site which has received a waiver under subsection (3) of this section shall report to the department any changes in the type of tests it intends to perform thirty days in advance of the changes. In no case shall a test site with a waiver perform tests which require a license under this chapter.
[ 1989 c 386 § 4.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.42 - Medical Test Sites. › 70.42.040 - Sites approved under federal law—Automatic licensure.

RCW 70.42.040
Sites approved under federal law—Automatic licensure.
Test sites accredited, certified, or licensed by an organization or agency approved by the department consistent with federal law and regulations shall receive a license under RCW 70.42.110.
[ 1989 c 386 § 5.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.42 - Medical Test Sites. › 70.42.050 - Permission to perform tests not covered by license—License amendment.

RCW 70.42.050
Permission to perform tests not covered by license—License amendment.
A licensee that desires to perform tests for which it is not currently licensed shall notify the department. To the extent allowed by federal law and regulations, upon notification and pending the department's determination, the department shall grant the licensee temporary permission to perform the additional tests. The department shall amend the license if it determines that the licensee meets all applicable requirements.
[ 1989 c 386 § 6.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.42 - Medical Test Sites. › 70.42.060 - Quality control, quality assurance, recordkeeping, and personnel standards.

RCW 70.42.060
Quality control, quality assurance, recordkeeping, and personnel standards.
The department shall adopt standards established in rule governing test sites for quality control, quality assurance, recordkeeping, and personnel consistent with federal laws and regulations. "Recordkeeping" for purposes of this chapter means books, files, or records necessary to show compliance with the quality control and quality assurance requirements adopted by the department.
[ 1989 c 386 § 7.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.42 - Medical Test Sites. › 70.42.070 - Proficiency testing program.

RCW 70.42.070
Proficiency testing program.
(1) Except where there is no reasonable proficiency test, each licensed test site must participate in a department-approved proficiency testing program appropriate to the test or tests which it performs. The department may approve proficiency testing programs offered by private or public organizations when the program meets the standards set by the department. Testing shall be conducted quarterly except as otherwise provided for in rule.
(2) The department shall establish proficiency testing standards by rule which include a measure of acceptable performance for tests, and a system for grading proficiency testing performance for tests. The standards may include an evaluation of the personnel performing tests.
[ 1989 c 386 § 8.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.42 - Medical Test Sites. › 70.42.080 - Test site supervisor.

RCW 70.42.080
Test site supervisor.
A test site shall have a designated test site supervisor who shall meet the qualifications determined by the department in rule. The designated test site supervisor shall be responsible for the testing functions of the test site.
[ 1989 c 386 § 9.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.42 - Medical Test Sites. › 70.42.090 - Fees—Account.

RCW 70.42.090
Fees—Account.
(1) The department shall establish a schedule of fees for license applications, renewals, amendments, and waivers. In fixing said fees, the department shall set the fees at a sufficient level to defray the cost of administering the licensure program. All such fees shall be fixed by rule adopted in accordance with the provisions of the administrative procedure act, chapter 34.05 RCW. In determining the fee schedule, the department shall consider the following: (a) Complexity of the license required; (b) number and type of tests performed at the test site; (c) degree of supervision required from the department staff; (d) whether the license is granted under RCW 70.42.040; and (e) general administrative costs of the test site licensing program established under this chapter. For each category of license, fees charged shall be related to program costs.
(2) The medical test site licensure account is created in the state treasury. The state treasurer shall transfer into the medical test site licensure account all revenue received from medical test site license fees. Funds for this account may only be appropriated for the support of the activities defined under this chapter. For the 2013-2015 fiscal biennium, moneys in the account may be spent for laboratory services in the department of health.
(3) The department may establish separate fees for repeat inspections and repeat audits it performs under RCW 70.42.170.
[ 2013 2nd sp.s. c 4 § 988; 1989 c 386 § 10.]
NOTES:
Effective dates—2013 2nd sp.s. c 4: See note following RCW 2.68.020.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.42 - Medical Test Sites. › 70.42.100 - Applicants—Requirements.

RCW 70.42.100
Applicants—Requirements.
An applicant for issuance or renewal of a medical test site license shall:
(1) File a written application on a form provided by the department;
(2) Demonstrate ability to comply with this chapter and the rules adopted under this chapter;
(3) Cooperate with any on-site review which may be conducted by the department prior to licensure or renewal.
[ 1989 c 386 § 11.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.42 - Medical Test Sites. › 70.42.110 - Issuance of license—Renewal.

RCW 70.42.110
Issuance of license—Renewal.
Upon receipt of an application for a license and the license fee, the department shall issue a license if the applicant meets the requirements established under this chapter. All persons operating test sites before July 1, 1990, shall submit applications by July 1, 1990. A license issued under this chapter shall not be transferred or assigned without thirty days' prior notice to the department and the department's timely approval. A license, unless suspended or revoked, shall be effective for a period of two years. The department may establish penalty fees or take other appropriate action pursuant to this chapter for failure to apply for licensure or renewal as required by this chapter.
[ 1989 c 386 § 12.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.42 - Medical Test Sites. › 70.42.120 - Denial of license.

RCW 70.42.120
Denial of license.
Under this chapter, and chapter 34.05 RCW, the department may deny a license to any applicant who:
(1) Refuses to comply with the requirements of this chapter or the standards or rules adopted under this chapter;
(2) Was the holder of a license under this chapter which was revoked for cause and never reissued by the department;
(3) Has knowingly or with reason to know made a false statement of a material fact in the application for a license or in any data attached thereto or in any record required by the department;
(4) Refuses to allow representatives of the department to examine any book, record, or file required by this chapter to be maintained;
(5) Willfully prevented, interfered with, or attempted to impede in any way the work of a representative of the department; or
(6) Misrepresented, or was fraudulent in, any aspect of the applicant's business.
[ 1989 c 386 § 13.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.42 - Medical Test Sites. › 70.42.130 - Conditions upon license.

RCW 70.42.130
Conditions upon license.
Under this chapter, and chapter 34.05 RCW, the department may place conditions on a license which limit or cancel a test site's authority to conduct any of the tests or groups of tests of any licensee who:
(1) Fails or refuses to comply with the requirements of this chapter or the rules adopted under this chapter;
(2) Has knowingly or with reason to know made a false statement of a material fact in the application for a license or in any data attached thereto or in any record required by the department;
(3) Refuses to allow representatives of the department to examine any book, record, or file required by this chapter to be maintained;
(4) Willfully prevented, interfered with, or attempted to impede in any way the work of a representative of the department;
(5) Willfully prevented or interfered with preservation of evidence of a known violation of this chapter or the rules adopted under this chapter; or
(6) Misrepresented, or was fraudulent in, any aspect of the licensee's business.
[ 1989 c 386 § 14.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.42 - Medical Test Sites. › 70.42.140 - Suspension of license.

RCW 70.42.140
Suspension of license.
Under this chapter, and chapter 34.05 RCW, the department may suspend the license of any licensee who:
(1) Fails or refuses to comply with the requirements of this chapter or the rules adopted under this chapter;
(2) Has knowingly or with reason to know made a false statement of a material fact in the application for a license or in any data attached thereto or in any record required by the department;
(3) Refuses to allow representatives of the department to examine any book, record, or file required by this chapter to be maintained;
(4) Willfully prevented, interfered with, or attempted to impede in any way the work of a representative of the department;
(5) Willfully prevented or interfered with preservation of evidence of a known violation of this chapter or the rules adopted under this chapter;
(6) Misrepresented, or was fraudulent in, any aspect of the licensee's business;
(7) Used false or fraudulent advertising; or
(8) Failed to pay any civil monetary penalty assessed by the department under this chapter within twenty-eight days after the assessment becomes final.
[ 1989 c 386 § 15.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.42 - Medical Test Sites. › 70.42.150 - Revocation of license.

RCW 70.42.150
Revocation of license.
Under this chapter, and chapter 34.05 RCW, the department may revoke the license of any licensee who:
(1) Fails or refuses to comply with the requirements of this chapter or the rules adopted under this chapter;
(2) Has knowingly or with reason to know made a false statement of a material fact in the application for a license or in any data attached thereto or in any record required by the department;
(3) Refuses to allow representatives of the department to examine any book, record, or file required by this chapter to be maintained;
(4) Willfully prevented, interfered with, or attempted to impede in any way the work of a representative of the department;
(5) Willfully prevented or interfered with preservation of evidence of a known violation of this chapter or the rules adopted under this chapter;
(6) Misrepresented, or was fraudulent in, any aspect of the licensee's business;
(7) Used false or fraudulent advertising; or
(8) Failed to pay any civil monetary penalty assessed by the department pursuant to this chapter within twenty-eight days after the assessment becomes final.
The department may summarily revoke a license when it finds continued licensure of a test site immediately jeopardizes the public health, safety, or welfare.
[ 1989 c 386 § 16.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.42 - Medical Test Sites. › 70.42.160 - Penalties—Acts constituting violations.

RCW 70.42.160
Penalties—Acts constituting violations.
Under this chapter, and chapter 34.05 RCW, the department may assess monetary penalties of up to ten thousand dollars per violation in addition to or in lieu of conditioning, suspending, or revoking a license. A violation occurs when a licensee:
(1) Fails or refuses to comply with the requirements of this chapter or the standards or rules adopted under this chapter;
(2) Has knowingly or with reason to know made a false statement of a material fact in the application for a license or in any data attached thereto or in any record required by the department;
(3) Refuses to allow representatives of the department to examine any book, record, or file required by this chapter to be maintained;
(4) Willfully prevents, interferes with, or attempts to impede in any way the work of any representative of the department;
(5) Willfully prevents or interferes with preservation of evidence of any known violation of this chapter or the rules adopted under this chapter;
(6) Misrepresents or was fraudulent in any aspect of the applicant's business; or
(7) Uses advertising which is false or fraudulent.
Each day of a continuing violation is a separate violation.
[ 1989 c 386 § 17.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.42 - Medical Test Sites. › 70.42.162 - Pattern of balance billing protection act violations by medical test site—Fines and disciplinary action.

RCW 70.42.162
Pattern of balance billing protection act violations by medical test site—Fines and disciplinary action.
If the insurance commissioner reports to the department that he or she has cause to believe that a medical testing [test] site has engaged in a pattern of violations of RCW 48.49.020 or 48.49.030, and the report is substantiated after investigation, the department may levy a fine upon the medical testing [test] site in an amount not to exceed one thousand dollars per violation and take other formal or informal disciplinary action as permitted under the authority of the department.
[ 2019 c 427 § 20.]
NOTES:
Findings—Intent—Effective date—2019 c 427: See RCW 48.49.003 and 48.49.900.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.42 - Medical Test Sites. › 70.42.170 - On-site reviews.

RCW 70.42.170
On-site reviews.
The department may at any time conduct an on-site review of a licensee or applicant in order to determine compliance with this chapter. When the department has reason to believe a waivered site is conducting tests requiring a license, the department may conduct an on-site review of the waivered site in order to determine compliance. The department may also examine and audit records necessary to determine compliance with this chapter. The right to conduct an on-site review and audit and examination of records shall extend to any premises and records of persons whom the department has reason to believe are opening, owning, conducting, maintaining, managing, or otherwise operating a test site without a license.
Following an on-site review, the department shall give written notice of any violation of this chapter or the rules adopted under this chapter. The notice shall describe the reasons for noncompliance and inform the licensee or applicant or test site operator that it shall comply within a specified reasonable time. If the licensee or applicant or test site operator fails to comply, the department may take disciplinary action under RCW 70.42.120 through 70.42.150, or further action as authorized by this chapter.
[ 1989 c 386 § 18.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.42 - Medical Test Sites. › 70.42.180 - Operating without a license—Injunctions or other remedies—Penalty.

RCW 70.42.180
Operating without a license—Injunctions or other remedies—Penalty.
Notwithstanding the existence or use of any other remedy, the department may, in the manner provided by law and upon the advice of the attorney general, who shall represent the department in the proceedings, maintain an action in the name of the state for an injunction or other process against any person to restrain or prevent the advertising, operating, maintaining, managing, or opening of a test site without a license under this chapter. It is a misdemeanor to own, operate, or maintain a test site without a license.
[ 1989 c 386 § 19.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.42 - Medical Test Sites. › 70.42.190 - Petition of superior court for review of disciplinary action.

RCW 70.42.190
Petition of superior court for review of disciplinary action.
Any test site which has had a denial, condition, suspension, or revocation of its license, or a civil monetary penalty upheld after administrative review under chapter 34.05 RCW, may, within sixty days of the administrative determination, petition the superior court for review of the decision.
[ 1989 c 386 § 20.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.42 - Medical Test Sites. › 70.42.200 - Persons who may not own or operate test site.

RCW 70.42.200
Persons who may not own or operate test site.
No person who has owned or operated a test site that has had its license revoked may own or operate a test site within two years of the final adjudication of a license revocation.
[ 1989 c 386 § 21.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.42 - Medical Test Sites. › 70.42.210 - Confidentiality of certain information.

RCW 70.42.210
Confidentiality of certain information.
All information received by the department through filed reports, audits, or on-site reviews, as authorized under this chapter shall not be disclosed publicly in any manner that would identify persons who have specimens of material from their bodies at a test site, absent a written release from the person, or a court order.
[ 1989 c 386 § 22.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.42 - Medical Test Sites. › 70.42.900 - Effective dates—1989 c 386.

RCW 70.42.900
Effective dates—1989 c 386.
(1) RCW 70.42.005 through 70.42.210 shall take effect July 1, 1990.
(2) RCW 70.42.220 is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect July 1, 1989.
[ 1989 c 386 § 25.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.43 - Hospital Staff Membership or Privileges. › 70.43.010 - Applications for membership or privileges—Standards and procedures.

RCW 70.43.010
Applications for membership or privileges—Standards and procedures.
Within one hundred eighty days of June 11, 1986, the governing body of every hospital licensed under chapter 70.41 RCW shall set standards and procedures to be applied by the hospital and its medical staff in considering and acting upon applications for staff membership or professional privileges.
[ 1986 c 205 § 1.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.43 - Hospital Staff Membership or Privileges. › 70.43.020 - Applications for membership or privileges—Discrimination based on type of license prohibited—Exception.

RCW 70.43.020
Applications for membership or privileges—Discrimination based on type of license prohibited—Exception.
The governing body of any hospital, except any hospital which employs its medical staff, in considering and acting upon applications for staff membership or professional privileges within the scope of the applicants' respective licenses, shall not discriminate against a qualified person solely on the basis of whether such person is licensed under chapters 18.71, 18.57, or 18.22 RCW.
[ 1986 c 205 § 2.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.43 - Hospital Staff Membership or Privileges. › 70.43.030 - Violations of RCW 70.43.010 or 70.43.020—Injunctive relief.

RCW 70.43.030
Violations of RCW 70.43.010 or 70.43.020—Injunctive relief.
Any person may apply to superior court for a preliminary or permanent injunction restraining a violation of RCW 70.43.010 or 70.43.020. This action is an additional remedy not dependent on the adequacy of the remedy at law. Nothing in this chapter shall require a hospital to grant staff membership or professional privileges until a final determination is made upon the merits by the hospital governing body.
[ 1986 c 205 § 3.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.44 - Public Hospital Districts. › 70.44.003 - Purpose.

RCW 70.44.003
Purpose.
The purpose of chapter 70.44 RCW is to authorize the establishment of public hospital districts to own and operate hospitals and other health care facilities and to provide hospital services and other health care services for the residents of such districts and other persons.
[ 1982 c 84 § 1.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.44 - Public Hospital Districts. › 70.44.007 - Definitions.

RCW 70.44.007
Definitions.
As used in this chapter, the following words have the meanings indicated:
(1) "Other health care facilities" means nursing home, extended care, long-term care, outpatient, and rehabilitative facilities; ambulances; facilities that promote health, wellness, and prevention of illness and injury; and such other facilities as are appropriate to the health and wellness needs of the population served.
(2) "Other health care services" means nursing home, extended care, long-term care, outpatient, rehabilitative, and ambulance services; services that promote health, wellness, and prevention of illness and injury; and such other services as are appropriate to the health needs of the population served.
(3) "Public hospital district" or "district" means public health care service district.
[ 2018 c 134 § 1; 1997 c 332 § 15; 1982 c 84 § 12; 1974 ex.s. c 165 § 5.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.44 - Public Hospital Districts. › 70.44.010 - Districts authorized.

RCW 70.44.010
Districts authorized.
Municipal corporations, to be known as public hospital districts, are hereby authorized and may be established within the several counties of the state as hereinafter provided.
[ 1947 c 225 § 1; 1945 c 264 § 2; Rem. Supp. 1947 § 6090-31. FORMER PART OF SECTION: 1945 c 264 § 1 now codified as RCW 70.44.005.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.44 - Public Hospital Districts. › 70.44.015 - Validation of existing districts.

RCW 70.44.015
Validation of existing districts.
Each and all of the respective areas of land heretofore attempted to be organized into public hospital districts under the provisions of this chapter are validated and declared to be duly existing hospital districts having the respective boundaries set forth in their organization proceedings as shown by the files in the office of the board of county commissioners of the county in question, and by the files of such districts.
[ 1955 c 135 § 2.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.44 - Public Hospital Districts. › 70.44.016 - Validation of districts.

RCW 70.44.016
Validation of districts.
Each and all of the respective areas of land attempted to be organized into public hospital districts prior to June 10, 1982, under the provisions of chapter 70.44 RCW where the canvass of the election on the proposition of creating a public hospital district shows the passage of the proposition are validated and declared to be duly existing public hospital districts having the respective boundaries set forth in their organization proceedings as shown by the files in the office of the legislative authority of the county in question, and by the files of such districts.
[ 1982 c 84 § 10.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.44 - Public Hospital Districts. › 70.44.020 - Resolution—Petition for countywide district—Conduct of elections.

RCW 70.44.020
Resolution—Petition for countywide district—Conduct of elections.
At any general election or at any special election which may be called for that purpose, the county legislative authority of a county may, or on petition of ten percent of the registered voters of the county based on the total vote cast in the last general county election, shall, by resolution, submit to the voters of the county the proposition of creating a public hospital district coextensive with the limits of the county. The petition shall be filed with the county auditor, who shall within fifteen days examine the signatures thereon and certify to the sufficiency thereof, and for that purpose the auditor shall have access to all registration books in the possession of election officers in the county. If the petition is found to be insufficient, it shall be returned to the persons filing it, who may amend or add names thereto for ten days, when it shall be returned to the auditor, who shall have an additional fifteen days to examine it and attach the certificate thereto. No person signing the petition may withdraw his or her name therefrom after filing. When the petition is certified as sufficient, the auditor shall forthwith transmit it, together with the certificate of sufficiency attached thereto, to the county legislative authority, who shall immediately transmit the proposition to the supervisor of elections or other election officer of the county, and he or she shall submit the proposition to the voters at the next general election or if such petition so requests, shall call a special election on such proposition in accordance with RCW 29A.04.321 and 29A.04.330. The notice of the election shall state the boundaries of the proposed district and the object of the election, and shall in other respects conform to the requirements of law governing the time and manner of holding elections. In submitting the question to the voters, the proposition shall be expressed on the ballot substantially in the following terms:
For public hospital district No. . . . .
Against public hospital district No. . . . .
[ 2012 c 117 § 378; 1990 c 259 § 38; 1955 c 135 § 1; 1945 c 264 § 3; Rem. Supp. 1945 § 6090-32.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.44 - Public Hospital Districts. › 70.44.028 - Limitation on legal challenges.

RCW 70.44.028
Limitation on legal challenges.
Unless commenced within thirty days after the date of the filing of the certificate of the canvass of an election on the proposition of creating a new public hospital district pursuant to chapter 70.44 RCW, no lawsuit whatever may be maintained challenging in any way the legal existence of such district or the validity of the proceedings had for the organization and creation thereof. If the creation of a district is not challenged within the period specified in this section, the district conclusively shall be deemed duly and regularly organized under the laws of this state.
[ 1982 c 84 § 9.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.44 - Public Hospital Districts. › 70.44.030 - Petition for lesser district—Procedure.

RCW 70.44.030
Petition for lesser district—Procedure.
Any petition for the formation of a public hospital district may describe a less area than the entire county in which the petition is filed, the boundaries of which shall follow the then existing precinct boundaries and not divide any voting precinct; and in the event that such a petition is filed containing not less than ten percent of the voters of the proposed district who voted at the last general election, certified by the auditor in like manner as for a countywide district, the board of county commissioners shall fix a date for a hearing on such petition, and shall publish the petition, without the signatures thereto appended, for two weeks prior to the date of the hearing, together with a notice stating the time of the meeting when such petition will be heard. Such publications required by this chapter shall be in a newspaper published in the proposed or established public hospital district, or, if there be no such newspaper, then in a newspaper published in the county in which such district is situated, and of general circulation in such county. The hearing on such petition may be adjourned from time to time, not exceeding four weeks in all. If upon the final hearing the board of county commissioners shall find that any lands have been unjustly or improperly included within the proposed public hospital district the said board shall change and fix the boundary lines in such manner as it shall deem reasonable and just and conducive to the welfare and convenience, and make and enter an order establishing and defining the boundary lines of the proposed public hospital district: PROVIDED, That no lands shall be included within the boundaries so fixed lying outside the boundaries described in the petition, except upon the written request of the owners of such lands. Thereafter the same procedure shall be followed as prescribed in this chapter for the formation of a public hospital district including an entire county, except that the petition and election shall be confined solely to the lesser public hospital district.
[ 1945 c 264 § 4; Rem. Supp. 1945 § 6090-33.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.44 - Public Hospital Districts. › 70.44.035 - Petition for district lying in more than one county—Procedure.

RCW 70.44.035
Petition for district lying in more than one county—Procedure.
Any petition for the formation of a public hospital district may describe an area lying in more than one county, the boundaries of which shall follow the then existing precinct boundaries and not divide a voting precinct; and if a petition is filed with the county auditor of the respective counties in which a portion of the proposed district is located, containing not less than ten percent of the voters of that area of each county of the proposed district who voted at the last general election, certified by the said respective auditors in like manner as for a countywide district, the board of county commissioners of each of the counties in which a portion of the proposed district is located shall fix a date for a hearing on the petition, and shall publish the petition, without the signatures thereto appended, for two weeks prior to the hearing, together with a notice stating the time of the meeting when the petition will be heard. The publication required by this chapter shall be in a newspaper published in the portion of each county lying within the proposed district, or if there be no such newspaper published in any such portion of a county, then in one published in the county wherein such portion of said district is situated, and of general circulation in the county. The hearing before the respective county commissioners may be adjourned from time to time not exceeding four weeks in all. If upon the final hearing the respective boards of county commissioners find that any land has been unjustly or improperly included within the proposed district they may change and fix the boundary lines of the portion of said district located within their respective counties in such manner as they deem reasonable and just and conducive to the welfare and convenience, and enter an order establishing and defining the boundary lines of the proposed district located within their respective counties: PROVIDED, That no lands shall be included within the boundaries so fixed lying outside the boundaries described in the petition, except upon the written request of the owners of the land to be so included. Thereafter the same procedure shall be followed as prescribed for the formation of a district including an entire county, except that the petition and election shall be confined solely to the portions of each county lying within the proposed district.
[ 1953 c 267 § 1.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.44 - Public Hospital Districts. › 70.44.041 - Validity of appointment or election of commissioners—Compliance with 1994 c 223.

RCW 70.44.041
Validity of appointment or election of commissioners—Compliance with 1994 c 223.
No appointment to fill a vacant position on or election to the board of commissioners of any public hospital district made after June 9, 1994, and before April 21, 1997, is deemed to be invalid solely due to the public hospital district's failure to redraw its commissioner district boundaries if necessary to comply with chapter 223, Laws of 1994.
[ 1997 c 99 § 7.]
NOTES:
Effective date—1997 c 99: See note following RCW 70.44.040.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.44 - Public Hospital Districts. › 70.44.042 - Commissioner districts—Resolution to abolish—Proposition to reestablish.

RCW 70.44.042
Commissioner districts—Resolution to abolish—Proposition to reestablish.
Notwithstanding any provision in RCW 70.44.040 to the contrary, any board of public hospital district commissioners may, by resolution, abolish commissioner districts and permit candidates for any position on the board to reside anywhere in the public hospital district.
At any general or special election which may be called for that purpose, the board of public hospital district commissioners may, or on petition of ten percent of the voters based on the total vote cast in the last district general election in the public hospital district shall, by resolution, submit to the voters of the district the proposition to reestablish commissioner districts.
[ 1997 c 99 § 2; 1967 c 227 § 2.]
NOTES:
Effective date—1997 c 99: See note following RCW 70.44.040.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.44 - Public Hospital Districts. › 70.44.045 - Commissioners—Vacancies.

RCW 70.44.045
Commissioners—Vacancies.
A vacancy in the office of commissioner shall occur as provided in chapter 42.12 RCW or by nonattendance at meetings of the commission for sixty days, unless excused by the commission. A vacancy shall be filled as provided in chapter 42.12 RCW.
[ 1994 c 223 § 79; 1982 c 84 § 13; 1955 c 82 § 2.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.44 - Public Hospital Districts. › 70.44.047 - Redrawn boundaries—Assignment of commissioners to districts.

RCW 70.44.047
Redrawn boundaries—Assignment of commissioners to districts.
If, as the result of redrawing the boundaries of commissioner districts as permitted or required under the provisions of this chapter, chapter 29A.76 RCW, or any other statute, more than the correct number of commissioners who are associated with commissioner districts reside in the same commissioner district, a commissioner or commissioners residing in that redrawn commissioner district equal in number to the number of commissioners in excess of the correct number shall be assigned to the drawn commissioner district or districts in which less than the correct number of commissioners associated with commissioner districts reside. The commissioner or commissioners who are so assigned shall be those with the shortest unexpired term or terms of office, but if the number of such commissioners with the same terms of office exceeds the number that are to be assigned, the board of commissioners shall select by lot from those commissioners which one or ones are assigned. A commissioner who is so assigned shall be deemed to be a resident of the commissioner district to which he or she is assigned for purposes of determining whether a position is vacant.
[ 2015 c 53 § 93; 1997 c 99 § 6.]
NOTES:
Effective date—1997 c 99: See note following RCW 70.44.040.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.44 - Public Hospital Districts. › 70.44.053 - Increase in number of commissioners—Proposition to voters.

RCW 70.44.053
Increase in number of commissioners—Proposition to voters.
At any general or special election which may be called for that purpose the board of public hospital district commissioners may, or on petition of ten percent of the voters based on the total vote cast in the last district general election in the public hospital district shall, by resolution, submit to the voters of the district the proposition increasing the number of commissioners to either five or seven members. The petition or resolution shall specify whether it is proposed to increase the number of commissioners to either five or seven members.
[ 1997 c 99 § 3; 1994 c 223 § 80; 1967 c 77 § 2.]
NOTES:
Effective date—1997 c 99: See note following RCW 70.44.040.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.44 - Public Hospital Districts. › 70.44.054 - Increase in number of commissioners—Commissioner districts.

RCW 70.44.054
Increase in number of commissioners—Commissioner districts.
If the voters of the district approve the ballot proposition authorizing the increase in the number of commissioners to either five or seven members, the additional commissioners shall be elected at large from the entire district; provided that, the board of commissioners of the district may by resolution redistrict the public hospital district into five commissioner districts if the district has five commissioners or seven commissioner districts if the district has seven commissioners. The board of commissioners shall draw the boundaries of each commissioner district to include as nearly as possible equal portions of the total population of the public hospital district.
If the board of commissioners increases the number of commissioner districts as provided in this section, one commissioner shall be elected from each commissioner district, and no commissioner may be elected from a commissioner district in which another commissioner resides.
[ 1997 c 99 § 4.]
NOTES:
Effective date—1997 c 99: See note following RCW 70.44.040.