title: RCW 43.70.775

text:
(1) The department shall develop, implement, and maintain a statewide drug overdose prevention and awareness campaign to address the drug overdose epidemic.
(2)(a) The campaign must educate the public about the dangers of methamphetamines and opioids, including fentanyl, and the harms caused by drug use. The campaign must include outreach to both youth and adults aimed at preventing substance use and overdose deaths.
(b) The department, in consultation with the health care authority, may also include messaging focused on substance use disorder and overdose death prevention, resources for addiction treatment and services, and information on immunity for people who seek medical assistance in a drug overdose situation pursuant to RCW 69.50.315.
(3) The 2024 and 2025 campaigns must focus on increasing the awareness of the dangers of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids, including the high possibility that other drugs are contaminated with synthetic opioids and that even trace amounts of synthetic opioids can be lethal.
(4) Beginning June 30, 2025, and each year thereafter, the department must submit a report to the appropriate committees of the legislature on the content and distribution of the statewide drug overdose prevention and awareness campaign. The report must include a summary of the messages distributed during the campaign, the mediums through which the campaign was operated, and data on how many individuals received information through the campaign. The department must identify measurable benchmarks to determine the effectiveness of the campaign and recommend whether the campaign should continue and if any changes should be made to the campaign. The report must be submitted in compliance with RCW 43.01.036.
[ 2024 c 201 s 2.]
Notes:
Finding—Intent—2024 c 201: "(1) The legislature finds that overdoses and overdose deaths, particularly from synthetic opioids, have increased in recent years. According to the federal centers for disease control and prevention, among persons aged 14 through 18, overdose deaths increased 94 percent from 2019 to 2020 and 20 percent from 2020 to 2021. In 2021, over 75 percent of all drug overdose deaths involved opioids, with synthetic opioids, including fentanyl, accounting for nearly 88 percent of those deaths. Between 2022 and 2023, Washington saw the largest increase in overdose deaths of any state at 40 percent.
(2) The legislature recognizes that fatal overdose risk among adolescents is increasing due to widespread availability of illicitly manufactured fentanyl, proliferation of counterfeit pills resembling prescription drugs but containing illicit drugs, and ease of purchasing pills through social media. The United States drug enforcement administration states that there is significant risk that illegal drugs have been intentionally contaminated with fentanyl. As a result, many young people may ingest a lethal dose without knowing that they are consuming fentanyl.
(3) The legislature acknowledges that the level of public health crisis created by use of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids requires an immediate, substantial, and coordinated effort by national, state, and local public health, social service, and educational agencies working together.
(4) The legislature also acknowledges that the popularity of drugs grows and wanes forming distinct drug epidemics, similar to disease epidemics. As the popularity and availability of synthetic opioids wanes, it is likely that some other substance will pose the next acute public health crisis.
(5) Therefore, in order to combat the current public health crisis of abuse of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids, and to be prepared to address the next drug epidemic before it reaches crisis level, the legislature intends to direct the state department of health to deploy a statewide substance use prevention and awareness campaign that evolves to address the substance or substances with the greatest impact on the health of Washington youth and their families, diverse regions and communities, and the broader public. The legislature also intends for the public education system to actively incorporate campaign messages and materials in classrooms, as well as in family and community communications." [ 2024 c 201 s 1.]
Effective date—2024 c 201: "This act 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 takes effect immediately [March 19, 2024]." [ 2024 c 201 s 5.]
Short title—2024 c 201: "This act may be known and cited as the Lucas Petty act." [ 2024 c 201 s 7.]

catchline: Drug overdose prevention and awareness campaign—Annual report.


doc_type: statute

jurisdiction: wa

title: RCW 43.70.780

text:
(1) The fruit and vegetable incentives program is established to increase fruit and vegetable consumption among food insecure individuals with limited incomes. The fruit and vegetable incentives program includes:
(a) Farmers market basic food incentives to provide eligible participants with extra benefits to purchase fruits and vegetables at authorized farmers markets when the participant uses basic food benefits;
(b) Grocery store basic food incentives to provide eligible participants with extra benefits to purchase fruits and vegetables at authorized grocery stores when the participant uses basic food benefits; and
(c) Fruit and vegetable vouchers provided by a health care provider, health educator, community health worker, or other health professional to an eligible participant for use at an authorized farmers market or grocery store.
(2) Subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, the department shall administer the fruit and vegetable incentives program. As part of its duties, the department shall:
(a) Collaborate with other state agencies whose missions and programs closely align with the fruit and vegetable incentives program, including the department of social and health services and the department of agriculture, in the development and implementation of the program;
(b) Provide resources, coordination, and technical assistance to program partners for targeted outreach to food insecure populations and for administration of the program. Program partners may include farmers markets, grocery stores, government agencies, health care systems, and nonprofit organizations; and
(c) Adopt rules to implement this section.
(3) Farmers market basic food incentives may be provided to eligible participants for use at farmers markets authorized by the department. The incentives are additional funds that may be used to purchase eligible fruits and vegetables as defined by the department. When authorizing a participating farmers market, the department may give preference to a farmers market that accepts or has previously accepted supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits, has the capacity to accept supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits, or is located in a county with a high level of food insecurity, as defined by the department.
(4) Grocery store basic food incentives may be provided to eligible participants for use at a grocery store that is an authorized supplemental nutrition assistance program retailer and approved by the department. The incentives are additional funds that may be used to purchase eligible fruits and vegetables as defined by the department. When approving a participating grocery store, the department may give preference to a store that is located in a county with a high level of food insecurity.
(5) Fruit and vegetable vouchers are cash-value vouchers that may be distributed by a participating health care provider, health educator, community health worker, or other health professional to a patient who is eligible for basic food and has a qualifying health condition, as defined by the department, or is food insecure. The voucher may be redeemed at a participating retailer, including an authorized farmers market or grocery store. The department shall approve participating health care systems and may give preference to systems that have operated fruit and vegetable prescription programs, routinely screen patients for food insecurity, have a high percentage of patients who are medicaid clients, or are located in a county with a high level of food insecurity.
(6) Subject to the availability of funds, the department must evaluate the fruit and vegetable incentives program effectiveness. When conducting the evaluation, the department must collect information related to fruit and vegetable consumption by eligible participants, levels of food security, and likely impacts on public health outcomes as a result of the program. By July 1, 2021, and in compliance with RCW 43.01.036, the department must submit a progress report to the governor and the legislature describing the results of the program and recommending any legislative or programmatic changes to improve the effectiveness of program delivery. By December 1, 2023, the department must submit a complete program evaluation describing the program's effectiveness and including any additional recommendations for program improvements.
(7) The definitions in this subsection apply throughout this section unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
(a) "Eligible participant" means:
(i) For the purposes of subsection (1)(a) and (b) of this section, a recipient of basic food benefits, including the supplemental nutrition assistance program and the food assistance program, as authorized under Title 74 RCW; or
(ii) For the purposes of subsection (1)(c) of this section, a person who is determined to be food insecure by a participating health care provider.
(b) "Food insecure" means a state in which consistent access to adequate food is limited by a lack of money and other resources at times during the year.
[ 2019 c 168 s 2.]
Notes:
Findings—Intent—2019 c 168: "(1) The legislature finds that nearly eleven percent of Washington households, including more than two hundred eighty thousand children, are food insecure with limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods. The legislature further finds that food insecurity contributes to poor quality diets; chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension; and negative outcomes for children and families, including harmful effects on behavioral health. Further, food insecurity disproportionately affects people with low incomes, people of color, and rural residents.
(2) The legislature finds that food assistance programs such as the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children and the supplemental nutrition assistance program are effective in significantly reducing food insecurity; that participants report difficulty affording and accessing healthy foods; and that fruit and vegetable consumption among such food assistance program participants is far below national dietary guidelines.
(3) The legislature finds that the state department of health has successfully managed a food insecurity nutrition incentives grant from the United States department of agriculture that provides a framework for providing fruit and vegetable incentives for low-income shoppers and that those federal funds are set to expire in March 2020. Further, the legislature finds that more than two million dollars in fruit and vegetable incentives have been redeemed by food insecure Washingtonians through this grant, helping to alleviate food insecurity and increase fruit and vegetable consumption.
(4) Therefore, the legislature intends to create a state fruit and vegetable incentives program to benefit people who are food insecure, our agricultural industry, and retailers across the state." [ 2019 c 168 s 1.]

license: public-domain-government-work

rule_set: Revised Code of Washington

catchline: Fruit and vegetable incentives program.

code: rcw

unit: section

court: Washington State Legislature


title: RCW 43.70.790

text:
As resources allow, the department shall make health care facility inspection and investigation statements of deficiencies, plans of correction, notice[s] of acceptance of plans of correction, enforcement actions, and notices of resolution available to the public on the internet, starting with psychiatric hospitals and residential treatment facilities.
[ 2020 c 115 s 4.]
Notes:
Findings—Intent—Effective date—2020 c 115: See notes following RCW 71.12.700.

catchline: Health care facility inspection and investigation availability.


title: RCW 43.70.800

text:
The department must conduct a review of statutes for all health care facility types licensed by the department under chapters 18.46, 18.64, 70.41, 70.42, 70.127, 70.230, 71.12, and 71.24 RCW to evaluate appropriate levels of oversight and identify opportunities to consolidate and standardize licensing and enforcement requirements across facility types. The department must work with stakeholders including, but not limited to, the statewide associations of the facilities under review to create recommendations that will be shared with stakeholders and the legislature for a uniform health care facility enforcement act for consideration in the 2021 legislative session.
[ 2020 c 115 s 5.]
Notes:
Findings—Intent—Effective date—2020 c 115: See notes following RCW 71.12.700.

catchline: Oversight, consolidation, and standardization—Review.


title: RCW 43.70.810

text:
(1) The department must design, prepare, and make available online, written materials to clearly inform health care providers and staff of the provisions of, and authority to act under, chapter 70.03 RCW.
(2) The department must design, prepare, and make available online, written materials to provide information to providers and patients regarding Washington's death with dignity act, chapter 70.245 RCW.
[ 2020 c 102 s 4.]

catchline: Provision of medical information—Dissemination of requirements and authority.


title: RCW 43.70.815

text:
(1) In consultation with the environmental justice council established in RCW 70A.02.110, the department must continue to develop and maintain an environmental health disparities map with the most current available information necessary to identify cumulative environmental health impacts and overburdened communities. The department may also consult with other interested partners, such as the University of Washington department of environmental and occupational health sciences, other academic partners, members of overburdened communities and vulnerable populations, and other agencies. The environmental health disparities map must include tools to:
(a) Track changes in environmental health disparities over time in an interactive, regularly updated display; and
(b) Measure the link between overall environmental health disparity map ranks, environmental data, vulnerable populations characteristics, such as race and income, and human health data.
(2) In further developing and maintaining the environmental health disparities map, the department must:
(a) Solicit feedback from representatives from overburdened communities and vulnerable populations through community engagement and listening sessions in all regions of the state and provide opportunities for public comment; and
(b) Request assistance from:
(i) State universities;
(ii) Other academic researchers, such as the Washington state institute for public policy, to perform modeling and create evidence-based indicators and to conduct sensitivity analyses to assess the impact of new indicators on communities and determinations of overburdened communities; and
(iii) Other state agencies to provide applicable statewide environmental and sampling data for air, water, soil, polluted sites, toxic waste, pesticides, toxic chemicals, and other applicable media.
(3) The department must:
(a) Document and publish a summary of the regular updates and revisions to the environmental health disparities map that happen over time as the new data becomes available, in order to help the public understand different versions of the map as they are published;
(b) At least every three years, perform a comprehensive evaluation of the map to ensure that the most current modeling and methods available to evaluate cumulative environmental health impacts are being used to develop and update the environmental health disparities map's indicators;
(c) Develop technical guidance for agencies that includes an online training video detailing a description of how to use the environmental health disparities map's features, access source data, and explanation of map and indicator limitations; and
(d) Provide support and consultation to agencies on the use of the environmental health disparities map by Washington tracking network staff.
(4)(a) By November 1, 2022, the Washington state institute for public policy must conduct a technical review of the measures and methods used in the environmental health disparities map. The review must, to the extent possible, address the following:
(i) Identify how the measures used in the map compare to measures used in other similar tools that aim to identify communities that are disproportionately impacted as a result of environmental justice issues;
(ii) Compare characteristics such as the reliability, validity, and clinical importance of individual and composite measures included in the map and other similar tools; and
(iii) Compare methodologies used in the map to statistical methodologies used in other similar tools.
(b) The department of health and the University of Washington must provide technical documentation regarding current methods to the Washington state institute for public policy and must consult with the institute as needed to ensure that the institute has adequate information to complete the technical review.
(c) By November 1, 2022, the Washington state institute for public policy must submit a report on their findings to the office of the governor, the appropriate committees of the legislature, and the environmental justice council.
[ 2021 c 314 s 19.]
Notes:
Conflict with federal requirements—2021 c 314: See note following RCW 70A.02.005.

catchline: Environmental health disparities map.


title: RCW 43.70.820

text:
The department must apply and comply with the substantive and procedural requirements of chapter 70A.02 RCW.
[ 2021 c 314 s 4.]
Notes:
Conflict with federal requirements—2021 c 314: See note following RCW 70A.02.005.

catchline: Environmental justice obligations of the department of health.


title: RCW 43.70.825

text:
(1) The school-based health center program office is established within the department, with the objective to expand and sustain the availability of school-based health center services to K-12 students in public schools, with a focus on historically underserved populations.
(2) Subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, the school-based health center program office shall:
(a) Develop funding criteria and metrics for monitoring and evaluation in partnership with a statewide nonprofit organization providing training and technical assistance to school-based health centers;
(b) Award grant funding for school-based health centers. The department may grant funding for the following purposes:
(i) Planning a school-based health center;
(ii) Start-up costs associated with setting up a school-based health center; and
(iii) Ongoing costs of operating a school-based health center;
(c) Monitor and evaluate school-based health centers that receive grant funding from the program office;
(d) Partner with a statewide nonprofit organization to provide training and technical assistance to school-based health centers; and
(e) Coordinate with the statewide nonprofit organization providing training and technical assistance, educational service districts, the health care authority, hosting school districts, and the office of the insurance commissioner, to provide support to school-based health centers.
(3) For purposes of this section, a "school-based health center" means a collaboration between the community, the school, and a sponsoring agency that operates the school-based health center, which is a student-focused health center located in or adjacent to a school that provides integrated medical, behavioral health, and other health care services such as dental care.
[ 2021 c 68 s 2.]
Notes:
Findings—Intent—2021 c 68: "(1) The legislature finds that:
(a) Research shows that school-based health centers provide a crucial link between health and education, improving outcomes for students in both areas;
(b) Health and academic disparities are increasing during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly for students of color;
(c) School-based health centers advance equity by providing health care access and support at schools;
(d) School-based health centers have been operating across the state for more than 30 years;
(e) Local control and decision making for school-based health centers is important; and
(f) In 2016, the legislature created the Washington integrated student supports protocol as a strategy to close educational opportunity gaps through school-based coordination of academic and nonacademic supports for students.
(2) Therefore, the legislature intends to create a school-based health center program office within the department of health to award grants and coordinate with other agencies and entities to provide support, training, and technical assistance to school-based health centers." [ 2021 c 68 s 1.]

catchline: School-based health center program office.


title: RCW 43.70.827

text:
The secretary or the secretary's designee, if a licensed health professional with the authority to prescribe epinephrine, shall, as is consistent with the exercise of sound professional judgment, issue a statewide standing order prescribing epinephrine and epinephrine autoinjectors to any school district or school for use by a school nurse or other designated trained school personnel, as authorized under RCW 28A.210.383, for any student or individual experiencing anaphylaxis on school property, a school bus, a field trip, or designated school activity.
[ 2024 c 81 s 1.]

catchline: Anaphylaxis occurring in educational settings—Standing order for epinephrine.


title: RCW 43.70.830

text:
(1) The department shall conduct sampling and testing for lead contamination at drinking water outlets in school buildings built, or with all plumbing replaced, before 2016 as specified in this section. The department meets the requirements of this section when a school contracts for sampling and testing that meets the requirements of this section and submits the test results to the department according to a procedure and deadlines determined by the department.
(2) Sampling and testing for the presence and level of lead in drinking water must meet the technical requirements described in the technical guidance.
(3)(a) Initial testing for lead contamination in drinking water must be conducted between July 1, 2014, and June 30, 2026.
(b) Retesting for lead contamination in drinking water must be conducted no less than every five years beginning July 1, 2026.
(4)(a) The department shall develop and publish a two-year plan for sampling and testing. The plan must be updated at least annually. Prior to adding a school to the plan, the department must contact the school to determine whether the school has contracted, or is planning to contract, for sampling and testing.
(b) Beginning July 1, 2026, in developing the two-year plan for sampling and testing, the department must group school buildings by governing body and then prioritize the groups based on the combined length of time since each school building built, or with all plumbing replaced, before 2016 was sampled and tested.
(5) The department shall enter a data-sharing agreement with the office of the superintendent of public instruction for the purpose of compiling a list of school buildings built, or with all plumbing replaced, before 2016.
(6) The definitions in RCW 28A.210.410 apply throughout this section unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
[ 2021 c 154 s 3.]
Notes:
Findings—Intent—2021 c 154: "(1) The legislature recognizes that the United States environmental protection agency and centers for disease control and prevention acknowledge that there is no known safe level of lead in a child's blood. Even low levels of lead exposure can cause permanent cognitive, academic, and behavioral difficulties in children. The American academy of pediatrics recommends government action to ensure that the lead concentration in drinking water at schools does not exceed one part per billion.
(2) The legislature finds that the department of health sampled and tested drinking water outlets in 551 elementary schools between 2017 and 2020. 82 percent of these schools had lead contamination of five or more parts per billion in one or more drinking water outlets and 49 percent of these schools had lead contamination of 15 or more parts per billion in one or more drinking water outlets.
(3) The legislature acknowledges that the department of health was appropriated $1,000,000 in the 2019-2021 fiscal biennium to continue the testing for lead contamination in school drinking water. The legislature also finds that the office of the superintendent of public instruction was appropriated funds in the 2019-2021 fiscal biennium for the healthy kids/healthy schools initiative. Part of these funds are for the purpose of distributing grants to school districts for remediation of elevated lead levels in drinking water. The legislature encourages districts to apply for these grants when lead test results reveal elevated lead levels, which are lead levels above five parts per billion.
(4) The legislature acknowledges the historically inequitable distribution of lead exposure for communities of color and of low socioeconomic status and plans to make a priority the protection of children from the dangers of lead exposure through school drinking water. The legislature, therefore, intends to require that drinking water outlets in elementary and secondary school buildings built, or with all plumbing replaced, before 2016 be tested for the presence and level of lead contamination by June 30, 2026, and every five years thereafter. The legislature also intends to require that schools notify the school community of lead test results and develop action plans for remediation if test results exceed the health-based standard of five parts per billion.
(5) The legislature recognizes that the youngest children are the most vulnerable to lead exposure and that many of these children spend significant amounts of time at child care facilities.
(6) This act is named for the director of the Washington public interest research group who developed and advocated for this legislation before dying of cancer in 2019 and may be known as the Bruce Speight protect children from being exposed to lead in school drinking water act." [ 2021 c 154 s 1.]
Short title—2021 c 154: "This act may be known and cited as the Bruce Speight protect children from being exposed to lead in school drinking water act." [ 2021 c 154 s 8.]

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


title: RCW 43.70.835

text:
The department shall allow state-tribal compact schools established under chapter 28A.715 RCW to opt into sampling and testing for lead contamination at drinking water outlets in school buildings built, or with all plumbing replaced, before 2016 pursuant to RCW 43.70.830.
[ 2021 c 154 s 4.]
Notes:
Findings—Intent—Short title—2021 c 154: See notes following RCW 43.70.830.

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


title: RCW 43.70.840

text:
The department shall develop and make available technical guidance for reducing lead contamination in drinking water at schools that is at least as protective of student health as any technical guidance on this topic issued by the United States environmental protection agency. The technical guidance must include the technical requirements for sampling, processing, and analysis, including that analysis must be conducted by a laboratory accredited by the department of ecology. The technical guidance must describe best practices for remediating elevated lead levels at drinking water outlets in schools. Best practices must include installing and maintaining filters certified by a body accredited by the American national standards institute. Provisions of the technical guidance related to testing for the presence and level of lead in drinking water, as opposed to testing to identify sources of lead for remediation, must be designed to maximize detection of lead in water, and therefore must prohibit sampling or analytical methods that tend to mask lead contamination, including prestagnation flushing and removal of aerators prior to sampling.
[ 2021 c 154 s 5.]
Notes:
Findings—Intent—Short title—2021 c 154: See notes following RCW 43.70.830.

catchline: Lead contamination in drinking water in school buildings—Technical guidance.


title: RCW 43.70.845

text:
(1) To the fullest extent permitted by federal law, the department, rather than community water systems, is designated as the lead or principal agency in regard to lead in drinking water sampling, testing, notification, remediation, public education, and other actions at public and private elementary and secondary schools as required by the federal lead and copper rule, 40 C.F.R. Part 141.
(2) The department must issue a written waiver that exempts community water systems that serve schools from the sampling and testing requirements of 40 C.F.R. Part 141.92 related to schools if the department determines that the mandatory requirements for sampling and testing for, and remediation of, lead contamination in drinking water outlets at elementary and secondary schools under chapter 154, Laws of 2021 are consistent with the requirements in 40 C.F.R. Part 141.92 of the federal lead and copper rule.
[ 2021 c 154 s 7.]
Notes:
Findings—Intent—Short title—2021 c 154: See notes following RCW 43.70.830.

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


title: RCW 43.70.855

text:
(1) The department, in consultation with the department of labor and industries, must establish an advisory committee on hospital staffing by September 1, 2023.
(2) Appointments to the advisory committee on hospital staffing shall be jointly made by the secretary and the director of labor and industries. Members of the committee must have expertise in hospital staffing and working conditions and should reflect a diversity of hospital settings.
(3) The advisory committee membership includes:
(a) Six members representing hospitals and hospital systems and their alternates, selected from a list of nominees submitted by the Washington state hospital association; and
(b) Six members representing frontline hospital patient care staff and their alternates, selected from a list of nominees submitted by collective bargaining representatives of frontline hospital nursing staff.
(4) Any list submitted to the departments for the initial appointment under this section must be provided by August 4, 2023.
(5) If any member of the advisory committee is unable to continue to serve on the committee the secretary and the director of labor and industries shall select a new member based on the recommendations of either the hospital association for members appointed under subsection (3)(a) of this section or the collective bargaining representative for members appointed under subsection (3)(b) of this section.
(6) The advisory committee on hospital staffing shall meet at least once per month until the hospital staffing plan uniform form is developed.
(7) The advisory committee on hospital staffing shall advise the department on its development of the uniform hospital staffing plan form.
(8) The department and the department of labor and industries shall provide any necessary documentation to the advisory committee on hospital staffing in advance of the meetings to discuss technical assistance so that the advisory committee may consider areas of needed information.
(9) The advisory committee on hospital staffing must consider innovative hospital staffing and care delivery models, such as those that integrate on-site team-based care delivery, use of patient monitoring equipment and technology, and virtual or remote care delivery. This includes identifying and analyzing innovative hospital staffing and care delivery models including those explored by national organizations and evaluating feasibility of broad-based implementation of identified models. The advisory committee may consider disseminating this information and analysis.
(10) The department and the department of labor and industries must provide the advisory committee on hospital staffing with data on a quarterly basis related to compliance with this chapter, complaint filing and disposition trends, and notification of corrective plans of action plans and adherence to those plans.
(11) By December 1, 2023, the Washington state hospital association shall survey hospitals in Washington state and report to the advisory committee on hospital staffing on Washington hospitals' existing use of innovative hospital staffing and care delivery models including, but not limited to, integration of patient monitoring equipment, remote patient monitoring, team-based care models, apprenticeship and career ladder programs, and virtual or remote care delivery models, and any challenges with implementing the models.
(12) By December 1, 2024, the advisory committee on hospital staffing must review the report prepared by the Washington state institute for public policy as required by section 15, chapter 114, Laws of 2023.
(13) After January 1, 2027, when the forms are developed and effective, the advisory committee on hospital staffing may meet if it is determined by the department of health and committee members that such meetings are necessary.
(14) No earlier than July 1, 2029, the advisory committee on hospital staffing must discuss the issues related to applicability of RCW 70.41.420(7)(b) (i) and (ii) for hospitals listed under RCW 70.41.420(7)(b)(iv). This must include possible data collection options, potential costs, sources of funding, and implementation timeline.
(15) The advisory committee on hospital staffing must advise the department of labor and industries on the department's development by March 1, 2024, of a uniform form for reporting under RCW 49.12.480(2).
(16) This section expires July 1, 2030.
[ 2023 c 114 s 1.]

catchline: Hospital staffing advisory committee—Appointments—Membership—Reporting. (Expires July 1, 2030.)


title: RCW 43.70.860

text:
(1) Correctional institutions and private detention facilities shall report annually to the department of health on the aggregate number of people who experience miscarriage, stillbirth, or perinatal loss while confined or incarcerated in such facilities.
(2) The department of health shall deliver an annual statewide report to the legislature that details the aggregate number of people who experience miscarriage, stillbirth, or perinatal loss while confined or incarcerated in correctional institutions and private detention facilities. The first report shall be delivered by June 30, 2029. The report may not include personal identifying information concerning the individuals who experience miscarriage, stillbirth, or perinatal loss.
(3) For purposes of this section:
(a) "Correctional institutions" has the same meaning as "correctional institution" as defined in RCW 9.94.049, including any juvenile correctional facility under alternative administration operated by a consortium of counties under RCW 13.04.035.
(b) "Private detention facilities" has the same meaning as defined in RCW 70.395.020.
[ 2025 c 374 s 3.]
Notes:
Effective date—2025 c 374 s 3: "Section 3 of this act takes effect July 1, 2027." [ 2025 c 374 s 5.]
Findings—2025 c 374: See note following RCW 68.50.010.

catchline: Pregnancy loss in correctional institutions and private detention facilities—Reporting. (Effective July 1, 2027.)


title: RCW 43.70.865

text:
(1) The abortion savings program is established. The purpose of the program is to provide grants to maintain access to direct patient abortion clinical care services for individuals in the state.
(2) Subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, the secretary shall provide operating grants to eligible organizations to support equitable access to direct patient abortion clinical care services across the state for individuals without sufficient resources.
(3) The department shall award at least 85 percent of the funds appropriated for the program as grants to eligible organizations.
(4) Except when required for the operation of the program, the department may not:
(a) Release, publish, or otherwise disclose any identifying information for:
(i) The staff of an eligible organization that applies for or receives a grant or reimbursement from grant funding under the program; or
(ii) An individual health care practitioner or staff who provides direct patient abortion clinical care services for an eligible organization that receives a grant or reimbursement from grant funding under the program; or
(b) Collect identifying information for individuals who request or obtain support for direct patient abortion clinical care services from an eligible organization awarded a grant under the program.
(5) Identifying information under subsection (4) of this section is not subject to public inspection and copying under chapter 42.56 RCW.
(6) The department shall develop standards for the grants to ensure funds are being used as outlined in this section.
(7) For the purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
(a) "Eligible organization" means:
(i) Any abortion provider or abortion fund contracted with the department for the sexual and reproductive health program;
(ii) Any Indian health care provider; or
(iii) Any independent practitioner or other entity that provides direct patient abortion clinical care services in a medically underserved area and to uninsured or underinsured patients, including through telehealth.
(b) "Identifying information" means any information that can be used to distinguish or trace an individual's identity, including but not limited to name, prior legal name, alias, mother's maiden name, or date or place of birth, in combination with any other information that is linked or linkable to an individual such as:
(i) Social security number, home address, mailing address, phone number, email address, social media accounts, or biometric data;
(ii) Medical, financial, education, consumer, or employment information, data, or records;
(iii) Any other sensitive private information that is linked or linkable to a specific identifiable individual, such as gender identity, sexual orientation, or any sexually intimate visual depiction; or
(iv) Any information, including but not limited to usernames and passwords, that enables access to a person's email accounts, social media accounts, electronic forum accounts, chat or instant message accounts, cloud storage accounts, banking or financial accounts, computer networks, computers or phones, teleconferencing services, video-teleconferencing services, or other digital meeting rooms.
(c) "Individuals without sufficient resources" means individuals who are: (i) Uninsured; (ii) underinsured, without sufficient abortion coverage; or (iii) unable to use their insurance due to the risks posed by communication from insurance carriers regarding coverage.
[ 2026 c 228 s 2.]

catchline: Abortion savings program.


title: RCW 43.70.867

text:
The abortion savings account is created in the state treasury. Funds must be deposited into the account in accordance with the process outlined in RCW 48.14.0203. Moneys in the account may be spent only after appropriation. Expenditures from the account may be used only to provide grants under the abortion savings program created in RCW 43.70.865.
[ 2026 c 228 s 3.]

catchline: Abortion savings account.


title: RCW 43.70.900

text:
All references to the secretary or department of social and health services in the Revised Code of Washington shall be construed to mean the secretary or department of health when referring to the functions transferred in RCW 43.70.080, 18.104.005, 70.08.005, 70.24.005, 70.40.005, 70.41.005, and 70.54.005.
[ 2017 3rd sp.s. c 25 s 24; 2015 1st sp.s. c 4 s 31; 2007 c 52 s 2; 1990 c 33 s 580; 1989 1st ex.s. c 9 s 801.]
Notes:
Purpose—Statutory references—Severability—1990 c 33: See RCW 28A.900.100 through 28A.900.102.

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


title: RCW 43.70.901

text:
All references to the director of licensing or department of licensing in the Revised Code of Washington shall be construed to mean the secretary or department of health when referring to the functions transferred in RCW 43.70.220.
[ 1989 1st ex.s. c 9 s 802.]

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


title: RCW 43.70.902

text:
All references to the hospital commission in the Revised Code of Washington shall be construed to mean the secretary or the department of health.
[ 1989 1st ex.s. c 9 s 803.]

catchline: References to the hospital commission—1989 1st ex.s. c 9.


title: RCW 43.70.903

text:
(1) The department, in consultation with the workforce training and education coordinating board and the examining board of psychology, shall examine licensure requirements for the following professions to identify changes to statutes and rules that would remove barriers to entering and remaining in the health care workforce and to streamline and shorten the credentialing process:
(a) Advanced social workers and independent clinical social workers licensed under chapter 18.225 RCW;
(b) Marriage and family therapists licensed under chapter 18.225 RCW;
(c) Mental health counselors licensed under chapter 18.225 RCW;
(d) Substance use disorder professionals certified under chapter 18.205 RCW; and
(e) Psychologists licensed under chapter 18.83 RCW.
(2) The licensure requirements to be examined by the department shall include examinations, continuing education requirements, administrative requirements for license application and renewal, English language proficiency requirements, and supervised experience requirements, including supervisor requirements and costs associated with completing supervised experience requirements.
(3) When conducting the review required in subsection (1) of this section, the department shall at a minimum consider the following:
(a) The availability of peer-reviewed research and other evidence, including requirements in other states, indicating the necessity of specific licensure requirements for ensuring that behavioral health professionals are prepared to practice with reasonable skill and safety;
(b) Changes that would facilitate licensure of qualified, out-of-state and international applicants to promote reciprocity, including the adoption of applicable interstate compacts;
(c) Changes that would promote greater consistency across licensure requirements for professions licensed under chapter 18.225 RCW and allow for applicants' prior professional experience within relevant fields to be counted towards supervised experience requirements established under chapter 18.225 RCW, including the extent to which an applicant may use prior professional experience gained before graduation from a master's or doctoral level educational program to satisfy the applicant's supervised experience requirement;
(d) Technical assistance programs, such as navigators or dedicated customer service lines, to facilitate the completion of licensing applications;
(e) In consultation with the examining board of psychology and a statewide organization representing licensed psychologists, the creation of an associate-level license for psychologists;
(f) Whether agency affiliated counselors should be allowed to practice in federally qualified health centers; and
(g) Any rules that pose excessive administrative requirements for application or renewal or that place a disproportionate burden on applicants from disadvantaged communities.
(4) By November 1, 2023, the department shall provide a progress report and initial findings to the appropriate committees of the legislature on actions and recommendations to remove licensing barriers and improve credentialing time frames.
(5) By November 1, 2024, the department shall provide a final report to the appropriate committees of the legislature on actions and recommendations to remove licensing barriers and improve credentialing time frames.
[ 2023 c 425 s 5.]
Notes:
Effective date—2023 c 425 ss 1-7, 13-20, and 22-26: See note following RCW 18.83.170.

catchline: Licensure requirements review—Report and recommendations on removing barriers.


title: RCW 43.70.904

text:
(1) The department, in consultation with the health care authority, the office of the insurance commissioner, the office of the governor, and the office of financial management, and with input from stakeholders[,] shall develop a plan and provide recommendations to the legislature as to how to create a complete and interactive registry of the health care landscape in Washington. The plan and recommendations must identify:
(a) The health care entities, including but not limited to licensed and unlicensed facilities, providers, provider groups, systems, carriers, and health care benefit managers, that must report;
(b) The information that each entity must report; and
(c) The fee to be charged to the registering entities, which may be tiered, to support the registration process and creation of the registry.
(2) In developing the plan and recommendations, the department must consider:
(a) Opportunities to streamline reporting and consider opportunities to allow for information sharing between state agencies for health care entities and health care providers licensed or certified by a state agency; and
(b) Strategies to fully understand and monitor the business structure, funding, and contractual relationships of health care entities in Washington, including the current status and future changes in the direct or indirect ownership, control, or affiliation of and between health care entities and other entities and organizations, including private equity investment, that serve Washingtonians.
(3) The department shall provide a progress update to the relevant health and fiscal committees of the legislature by December 31, 2027, and a final report by November 1, 2028. The final report must identify any remaining data gaps and recommend an implementation plan for the registry.
[ 2025 c 142 s 2.]
Notes:
Findings—Intent—2025 c 142: "(1) The legislature finds that:
(a) Washington's health care landscape is changing rapidly. A 2023 report by the office of the insurance commissioner identified that Washington has experienced substantial horizontal consolidation and vertical integration across health care providers, facilities, and insurers;
(b) Washington's health care market is also experiencing investment from new for-profit entities such as private equity firms. While there were only four private equity acquisitions in Washington in 2014, this number had grown to 97 by 2023;
(c) These changes to Washington's health care landscape have not resolved access and affordability challenges. A 2024 survey of over 1,000 Washingtonians found that over half skipped needed care due to cost. Department of health data indicates substantial health disparities based on geographic location. Many rural Washingtonians experience health care deserts for essential care; and
(d) Washington is currently unable to evaluate how changes in the health care landscape are impacting access and affordability because the state lacks a complete and transparent registry of health care systems and entities. While the state collects some information about health insurers through annual financial statement filing requirements, there is no similar information available for other kinds of health care systems and entities. The office of financial management identified this critical data infrastructure gap in 2010, but it has not yet been resolved. Recent reports in 2023 and 2024 by the office of financial management, the office of the insurance commissioner, and the health care cost transparency board have indicated this data gap continues to prevent effective stewardship of health care resources and state health planning.
(2) Therefore, the legislature intends to develop a plan and recommendations with the goal of establishing a complete and interactive registry that will allow for the monitoring and measuring of changes in the health care landscape to better understand trends in health care market consolidation, with the goal of improving access and affordability." [ 2025 c 142 s 1.]

catchline: Health care entity registry—Report.


title: RCW 43.70.910

text:
This act 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 1st ex.s. c 9 s 825.]

catchline: Effective date—1989 1st ex.s. c 9.


title: RCW 43.70.920

text:
If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.
[ 1989 1st ex.s. c 9 s 826.]

catchline: Severability—1989 1st ex.s. c 9.


title: RCW 43.71.005

text:
(1) The legislature finds that the affordable care act requires the establishment of health benefit exchanges. The legislature intends to establish an exchange, including a governance structure. There are many policy decisions associated with establishing an exchange that need to be made that will take a great deal of effort and expertise. It is therefore the intent of the legislature to establish a process through which these policy decisions can be made by the legislature and the governor by the deadline established in the affordable care act.
(2) The exchange is intended to:
(a) Increase access to quality affordable health care coverage, reduce the number of uninsured persons in Washington state, and increase the availability of health care coverage through the private health insurance market to qualified individuals and small employers;
(b) Provide consumer choice and portability of health insurance, regardless of employment status;
(c) Create an organized, transparent, and accountable health insurance marketplace for Washingtonians to purchase affordable, quality health care coverage, to claim available federal refundable premium tax credits and cost-sharing subsidies, and to meet the personal responsibility requirements for minimum essential coverage as provided under the federal affordable care act;
(d) Promote consumer literacy and empower consumers to compare plans and make informed decisions about their health care and coverage;
(e) Effectively and efficiently administer health care subsidies and determination of eligibility for participation in publicly subsidized health care programs, including the exchange;
(f) Create a health insurance market that competes on the basis of price, quality, service, and other innovative efforts;
(g) Operate in a manner compatible with efforts to improve quality, contain costs, and promote innovation;
(h) Recognize the need for a private health insurance market to exist outside of the exchange; and
(i) Recognize that the regulation of the health insurance market, both inside and outside the exchange, should continue to be performed by the insurance commissioner.
[ 2011 c 317 s 1.]

catchline: Finding—Intent.


title: RCW 43.71.010

text:
The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise. Terms and phrases used in this chapter that are not defined in this section must be defined as consistent with implementation of a state health benefit exchange pursuant to applicable federal law.
(1) "Authority" means the Washington state health care authority, established under chapter 41.05 RCW.
(2) "Board" means the governing board established in RCW 43.71.020.
(3) "Commissioner" means the insurance commissioner, established in Title 48 RCW.
(4) "Exchange" means the Washington health benefit exchange established in RCW 43.71.020.
(5) "Self-sustaining" means capable of operating with revenue attributable to the operations of the exchange. Self-sustaining sources include, but are not limited to, federal grants, federal premium tax subsidies and credits, charges to health carriers, premiums paid by enrollees, and premium taxes under RCW 48.14.0201(5)(b) and 48.14.020(2).
[ 2018 c 44 s 1; 2013 2nd sp.s. c 6 s 1; 2012 c 87 s 2; 2011 c 317 s 2.]

catchline: Definitions.


title: RCW 43.71.020

text:
(1) The Washington health benefit exchange is established and constitutes a self-sustaining public-private partnership separate and distinct from the state, exercising functions delineated in chapter 317, Laws of 2011. By January 1, 2014, the exchange shall operate consistent with applicable federal law subject to statutory authorization. The exchange shall have a governing board consisting of persons with expertise in the Washington health care system and private and public health care coverage. The membership of the board shall be appointed as follows:
(a) Each of the two largest caucuses in both the house of representatives and the senate shall submit to the governor a list of five nominees who are not legislators or employees of the state or its political subdivisions, with no caucus submitting the same nominee.
(i) The nominations from the largest caucus in the house of representatives must include at least one employee benefit specialist;
(ii) The nominations from the second largest caucus in the house of representatives must include at least one health economist or actuary;
(iii) The nominations from the largest caucus in the senate must include at least one representative of health consumer advocates;
(iv) The nominations from the second largest caucus in the senate must include at least one representative of small business;
(v) The remaining nominees must have demonstrated and acknowledged expertise in at least one of the following areas: Individual health care coverage, small employer health care coverage, health benefit plan administration, health care finance and economics, actuarial science, or administering a public or private health care delivery system.
(b) The governor shall appoint two members from each list submitted by the caucuses under (a) of this subsection. The appointments made under this subsection (1)(b) must include at least one employee benefits specialist, one health economist or actuary, one representative of small business, and one representative of health consumer advocates. The remaining four members must have a demonstrated and acknowledged expertise in at least one of the following areas: Individual health care coverage, small employer health care coverage, health benefit plan administration, health care finance and economics, actuarial science, or administering a public or private health care delivery system.
(c) The governor shall appoint a ninth member to serve as chair. The chair may not be an employee of the state or its political subdivisions. The chair shall serve as a nonvoting member except in the case of a tie.
(d) The following members shall serve as nonvoting, ex officio members of the board:
(i) The insurance commissioner or his or her designee; and
(ii) The administrator of the health care authority, or his or her designee.
(2) Initial members of the board shall serve staggered terms not to exceed four years. Members appointed thereafter shall serve two-year terms.
(3) A member of the board whose term has expired or who otherwise leaves the board shall be replaced by gubernatorial appointment. Upon the expiration of a member's term, the member shall continue to serve until a successor has been appointed and has assumed office. When the person leaving was nominated by one of the caucuses of the house of representatives or the senate, his or her replacement shall be appointed from a list of five nominees submitted by that caucus within thirty days after the person leaves. If the member to be replaced is the chair, the governor shall appoint a new chair within thirty days after the vacancy occurs. A person appointed to replace a member who leaves the board prior to the expiration of his or her term shall serve only the duration of the unexpired term. Members of the board may be reappointed to multiple terms.
(4) No board member may be appointed if his or her participation in the decisions of the board could benefit his or her own financial interests or the financial interests of an entity he or she represents. A board member who develops such a conflict of interest shall resign or be removed from the board.
(5) Members of the board must be reimbursed for their travel expenses while on official business in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060. The board shall prescribe rules for the conduct of its business. Meetings of the board are at the call of the chair.
(6) The exchange and the board are subject only to the provisions of chapter 42.30 RCW, the open public meetings act, and chapter 42.56 RCW, the public records act, and not to any other law or regulation generally applicable to state agencies. Consistent with the open public meetings act, the board may hold executive sessions to consider proprietary or confidential nonpublished information.
(7)(a) The board shall establish an advisory committee to allow for the views of the health care industry and other stakeholders to be heard in the operation of the health benefit exchange.
(b) The board may establish technical advisory committees or seek the advice of technical experts when necessary to execute the powers and duties included in chapter 317, Laws of 2011.
(8) Members of the board are not civilly or criminally liable and may not have any penalty or cause of action of any nature arise against them for any action taken or not taken, including any discretionary decision or failure to make a discretionary decision, when the action or inaction is done in good faith and in the performance of the powers and duties under chapter 317, Laws of 2011. Nothing in this section prohibits legal actions against the board to enforce the board's statutory or contractual duties or obligations.
(9) In recognition of the government-to-government relationship between the state of Washington and the federally recognized tribes in the state of Washington, the board shall consult with the American Indian health commission.
[ 2018 c 44 s 2; 2012 c 87 s 3; 2011 c 317 s 3.]

catchline: Washington health benefit exchange.


title: RCW 43.71.030

text:
(1) The exchange has the authority to:
(a) Provide an application and enrollment portal for individual and small group health and dental insurance and state and federal health care programs;
(b) Certify qualified health and dental plans to be offered for enrollment through the exchange;
(c) Provide consumer education and assistance regarding cost and coverage of certified plans, plan selection, eligibility for subsidies, and health insurance literacy, which must include, but not be limited to, a website, toll-free call center, and consumer assistance by navigators and insurance producers;
(d) Determine eligibility for premium tax credits, cost-sharing reductions, other available subsidies, and enrollment in state and federal health care programs consistent with applicable federal law; and
(e) Provide data and assistance necessary to facilitate payments of premium tax credits and other subsidies.
(2) The exchange may, in exercising its authority consistent with the purposes of this chapter: (a) Sue and be sued in its own name; (b) make and execute agreements, contracts, and other instruments, with any public or private person or entity; (c) employ, contract with, or engage personnel; (d) pay administrative costs; (e) accept grants, donations, loans of funds, and contributions in money, services, materials or otherwise, from the United States or any of its agencies, from the state of Washington and its agencies or from any other source, and use or expend those moneys, services, materials, or other contributions; (f) aggregate or delegate the aggregation of funds that comprise the premium for a health plan; and (g) perform other duties necessary for enrollment in health coverage through the exchange.
(3) The board shall develop and implement a methodology to ensure the exchange is self-sustaining. The board shall seek input from health carriers to develop funding mechanisms that fairly and equitably apportion among carriers the reasonable administrative costs and expenses incurred to implement the provisions of this chapter.
(4) The board shall establish policies that permit city and county governments, Indian tribes, tribal organizations, urban Indian organizations, private foundations, and other entities to pay premiums and cost sharing on behalf of qualified individuals.
(5) The employees of the exchange may participate in the public employees' retirement system under chapter 41.40 RCW and the public employees' benefits board under chapter 41.05 RCW.
(6) Qualified employers may access coverage for their employees through the exchange for small groups under applicable federal law. The exchange shall enable any qualified employer to specify a level of coverage so that any of its employees may enroll in any qualified health plan offered through the small group exchange at the specified level of coverage. The exchange may offer information to consumers and small businesses about qualified small employer health reimbursement arrangements.
(7) The exchange shall report its activities and status to the governor and the legislature as requested, and no less often than annually.
(8) By January 1st of each year, the exchange must submit to the legislature, the governor's office, and the board an annual financial report that identifies the annual cost of operating the exchange. The report must identify specific reductions in spending in the following areas: Call center, information technology, and staffing. The report must include:
(a) A report of all expenses;
(b) Beginning and ending fund balances, by fund source;
(c) Any contracts or contract amendments signed by the exchange;
(d) An accounting of staff required to operate the exchange broken out by full-time equivalent positions, contracted employees, temporary staff, and any other relevant designation that indicates the staffing level of the exchange; and
(e) A per member per month metric, per qualified health plan enrollee and apple health enrollee, calculated by dividing funds allocated for the exchange over the 2015-2017 biennium by the number of enrollees in both qualified health plans and apple health during the year.
(9)(a) The exchange shall prepare and annually update a strategic plan for the development, maintenance, and improvement of exchange operations for the purpose of assisting the exchange in establishing priorities to better serve the needs of its specific constituency and the public in general. The strategic plan is the exchange's process for defining its methodology for achieving optimal outcomes, for complying with applicable state and federal statutes, rules, regulations, and mandatory policies, and for guaranteeing an appropriate level of transparency in its dealings. The strategic plan must include, but is not limited to:
(i) Comprehensive five-year and ten-year plans for the exchange's direction with clearly defined outcomes and goals;
(ii) Concrete plans for achieving or surpassing desired outcomes and goals;
(iii) Strategy for achieving enrollment and reenrollment targets;
(iv) Detailed stakeholder and external communication plans; and
(v) Identification of funding sources, and a plan for how it will fund and allocate resources to pursue desired goals and outcomes.
(b) The strategic plan and its updates must be submitted to the authority, the appropriate committees of the legislature, and the board by September 30th of each year.
[ 2018 c 44 s 3; 2015 3rd sp.s. c 33 s 1; 2012 c 87 s 4; 2011 c 317 s 4.]
Notes:
Effective date—2012 c 87 ss 4, 16, 18, and 19-23: "Sections 4, 16, 18, and 19 through 23 of this act are necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and take effect immediately [March 23, 2012]." [ 2012 c 87 s 28.]

catchline: Exchange—Powers and duties—Annual report and plan.


title: RCW 43.71.060

text:
(1) The health benefit exchange account is created in the state treasury. Moneys in the account may be spent only after appropriation. Expenditures from the account may only be used to fund the operation of the exchange and identification, collection, and distribution of premium taxes collected under RCW 48.14.0201(5)(b) and 48.14.020(2).
(2) The following funds must be deposited in the account:
(a) Premium taxes collected under RCW 48.14.0201(5)(b) and 48.14.020(2);
(b) Assessments authorized under RCW 43.71.080; and
(c) Amounts transferred by the pool administrator as specified in the state omnibus appropriations act pursuant to RCW 48.41.090.
(3) All receipts from federal grants received may be deposited into the account. Expenditures from the account may be used only for purposes consistent with the grants.
[ 2018 c 44 s 4; 2013 2nd sp.s. c 6 s 2; 2012 c 87 s 5; 2011 c 317 s 7.]

catchline: Health benefit exchange account.


title: RCW 43.71.065

text:
(1) The board shall certify a plan as a qualified health plan to be offered through the exchange if the plan is determined by the:
(a) Insurance commissioner to meet the requirements of Title 48 RCW and rules adopted by the commissioner pursuant to chapter 34.05 RCW to implement the requirements of Title 48 RCW;
(b) Board to meet the requirements of applicable federal law for certification as a qualified health plan; and
(c) Board to include tribal clinics and urban Indian clinics as essential community providers in the plan's provider network consistent with federal law. If consistent with federal law, integrated delivery systems shall be exempt from the requirement to include essential community providers in the provider network.
(2) Consistent with applicable federal law, the board shall allow stand-alone dental plans to offer coverage in the exchange beginning January 1, 2014. Dental benefits offered in the exchange must be offered and priced separately to assure transparency for consumers.
(3) The board may permit direct primary care medical home plans, consistent with applicable federal law, to be offered in the exchange.
(4) Upon request by the board, a state agency shall provide information to the board for its use in determining if the requirements under subsection (1)(b) or (c) of this section have been met. Unless the agency and the board agree to a later date, the agency shall provide the information within sixty days of the request. The exchange shall reimburse the agency for the cost of compiling and providing the requested information within one hundred eighty days of its receipt.
(5) A decision by the board denying a request to certify or recertify a plan as a qualified health plan may be appealed according to procedures adopted by the board.
[ 2018 c 44 s 5; 2012 c 87 s 8.]

catchline: Qualified health plans—Certification—Criteria stand-alone dental plans—Direct primary care medical home plans—Appeals.


title: RCW 43.71.067

text:
(1) For qualified health plans, an issue [issuer] offering a qualified health plan may not employ marketing practices or benefit designs that have the effect of discouraging enrollment in the plan by individuals with significant health needs.
(2) Unless preempted by federal law, the commissioner shall adopt any rules necessary to implement this section, consistent with federal rules and guidance in effect on January 1, 2017, implementing the patient protection and affordable care act.
[ 2019 c 33 s 16.]
Notes:
Effective date—2019 c 33: See note following RCW 48.43.005.

catchline: Qualified health plans—Prohibited marketing practices or benefit designs—Rules.


title: RCW 43.71.070

text:
The board shall establish a rating system consistent with applicable federal law, for qualified health plans to assist consumers in evaluating plan choices in the exchange. Rating factors established by the board may include, but are not limited to:
(1) Affordability with respect to premiums, deductibles, and point-of-service cost-sharing;
(2) Enrollee satisfaction;
(3) Provider reimbursement methods that incentivize health homes or chronic care management or care coordination for enrollees with complex, high-cost, or multiple chronic conditions;
(4) Promotion of appropriate primary care and preventive services utilization;
(5) High standards for provider network adequacy, including consumer choice of providers and service locations and robust provider participation intended to improve access to underserved populations through participation of essential community providers, family planning providers and pediatric providers;
(6) High standards for covered services, including languages spoken or transportation assistance; and
(7) Coverage of benefits for spiritual care services that are deductible under section 213(d) of the internal revenue code.
[ 2018 c 44 s 6; 2012 c 87 s 9.]

catchline: Rating system—Rating factors.


title: RCW 43.71.075

text:
(1) A person or entity functioning as a navigator shall not be considered soliciting or negotiating insurance as stated under chapter 48.17 RCW.
(2)(a) A person or entity functioning as a navigator may only request health care information that is relevant to the specific assessment and recommendation of health plan options. Any health care information received by a navigator may not be disclosed to any third party that is not part of the enrollment process and must be destroyed after enrollment has been completed.
(b) If a person's health care information is received and disclosed to a third party in violation of (a) of this subsection, the navigator must notify the person of the breach. The exchange must develop a policy to establish a reasonable notification period and what information must be included in the notice. This policy and information on the exchange's confidentiality policies must be made available on the exchange's website.
(3) For the purposes of this section:
(a) "Health care information" has the meaning provided in RCW 70.02.010.
(b) "Navigator" means a person or entity certified by the exchange to provide culturally and linguistically appropriate education and assistance and facilitate enrollment in qualified health plans and federal and state health care programs, in a manner consistent with applicable federal law.
[ 2018 c 44 s 7; 2014 c 220 s 3; 2012 c 87 s 25.]
Notes:
Effective date—2014 c 220: See note following RCW 70.02.290.

catchline: Navigator not soliciting or negotiating insurance—Health care information—Protection—Disclosure—Notification.


title: RCW 43.71.080

text:
(1)(a) Beginning January 1, 2015, the exchange may require each issuer writing premiums for qualified health benefit plans or stand-alone pediatric dental plans offered through the exchange to pay an assessment in an amount necessary to fund the operations of the exchange, applicable to operational costs incurred beginning January 1, 2015.
(b) The assessment is an exchange user fee. Assessments of issuers may be made only if the amount of expected premium taxes, as provided under RCW 48.14.0201(5)(b) and 48.14.020(2), and other funds deposited in the health benefit exchange account in the current calendar year (excluding premium taxes on stand-alone family dental plans and the assessment received under subsection (3) of this section applicable to stand-alone family dental plans) are insufficient to fund exchange operations in the following calendar year at the level authorized by the legislature for that purpose in the omnibus appropriations act plus three months of additional operating costs.
(c) A health benefit plan or stand-alone dental plan may identify the amount of the assessment to enrollees, but must not bill the enrollee for the amount of the assessment separately from the premium.
(2) The board, in collaboration with the issuers, the health care authority, and the commissioner, must establish a fair and transparent process for calculating the assessment amount. The process must meet the following requirements:
(a) The assessment only applies to issuers that offer coverage in the exchange and only for those market segments offered and must be based on the number of enrollees in qualified health plans and stand-alone dental plans in the exchange for a calendar year;
(b) The assessment must be established on a flat dollar and cents amount per member per month, and the assessment for stand-alone pediatric dental plans must be proportional to the premiums paid for stand-alone dental plans in the exchange;
(c) Issuers must be notified of the assessment amount by the exchange on a timely basis;
(d) An appropriate assessment reconciliation process must be established by the exchange that is administratively efficient;
(e) Issuers must remit the assessment due to the exchange in quarterly installments after receiving notification from the exchange of the due dates of the quarterly installments;
(f) A procedure must be established to allow issuers subject to assessments under this section to have grievances reviewed by an impartial body and reported to the board; and
(g) A procedure for enforcement must be established if an issuer fails to remit its assessment amount to the exchange within ten business days of the quarterly installment due date.
(3)(a) The exchange may require each issuer writing premiums for stand-alone family dental plans offered through the exchange to pay an assessment in an amount necessary to fund the operational costs of offering family dental plans in the exchange, applicable to operational costs incurred beginning January 1, 2017.
(b) The assessment is an exchange user fee. Assessments of issuers may be made only if the amount of expected premium tax received from stand-alone family dental plans, as provided under RCW 48.14.0201(5)(b) and 48.14.020(2), in the current year is insufficient to fund the operational costs estimated to be attributable to offering such stand-alone family dental plans in the exchange, including an allocation of costs to proportionately cover overall exchange operational costs, in the following calendar year, plus three months of additional operating costs.
(c) If the exchange is charging an assessment, the exchange shall display the amount of the assessment per member per month for enrollees. A stand-alone family dental plan may identify the amount of the assessment to enrollees, but must not bill the enrollee for the amount of the assessment separately from the premium.
(d) The board, in collaboration with the family dental issuers and the commissioner, must establish a fair and transparent process for calculating the assessment amount, including the allocation of overall exchange operational costs. The process must meet the following requirements:
(i) The assessment only applies to issuers that offer stand-alone family dental plans in the exchange and must be based on the number of enrollees in such plans in the exchange for a calendar year;
(ii) The assessment must be established on a flat dollar and cents amount per member per month;
(iii) The requirements included in subsection (2)(c) through (g) of this section shall apply to the assessment described in this subsection (3).
(e) The board, in collaboration with issuers, shall annually assess the viability of offering stand-alone family dental plans on the exchange.
(4) For purposes of this section:
(a) "Stand-alone family dental plan" means coverage for limited scope dental benefits meeting the requirements of section 9832(c)(2)(A) of the internal revenue code of 1986 and providing pediatric oral services that qualify as coverage for the minimum essential coverage requirement under applicable federal and state law.
(b) "Stand-alone pediatric dental plan" means coverage only for pediatric oral services that qualify as coverage for the minimum essential coverage requirement under applicable federal and state law.
(5) The exchange shall deposit proceeds from the assessments in the health benefit exchange account under RCW 43.71.060.
(6) The assessment described in this section shall be considered a special purpose obligation or assessment in connection with coverage described in this section for the purpose of funding the operations of the exchange, and may not be applied by issuers to vary premium rates at the plan level.
(7) This section does not prohibit an enrollee of a qualified health plan in the exchange from purchasing a plan that offers dental benefits outside the exchange.
(8) This section does not prohibit an issuer from offering a plan that covers dental benefits that do not meet the requirements of a stand-alone family dental plan outside the exchange.
(9) The exchange shall monitor enrollment and provide periodic reports which must be available on its website.
(10) The board shall offer all qualified health plans through the exchange, and the exchange shall not add criteria for certification of qualified health plans beyond those set out in RCW 43.71.065 without specific statutory direction. Nothing shall be construed to limit duties, obligations, and authority otherwise legislatively delegated or granted to the exchange.
[ 2018 c 44 s 8; 2016 c 133 s 3; 2013 2nd sp.s. c 6 s 3.]

catchline: Assessment to fund exchange—Generally—Stand-alone dental plans.


title: RCW 43.71.095

text:
(1) The exchange, in consultation with the commissioner, the authority, an independent actuary, and other stakeholders, must establish up to three standardized health plans for each of the bronze, silver, and gold levels.
(a) The standardized health plans must be designed to reduce deductibles, make more services available before the deductible, provide predictable cost sharing, maximize subsidies, limit adverse premium impacts, reduce barriers to maintaining and improving health, and encourage choice based on value, while limiting increases in health plan premium rates.
(b) The exchange may update the standardized health plans annually.
(c) The exchange must provide a notice and public comment period before finalizing each year's standardized health plans.
(d) The exchange must provide written notice of the standardized health plans to licensed health carriers by January 31st before the year in which the health plans are to be offered on the exchange. The exchange may make modifications to the standardized plans after January 31st to comply with changes to state or federal law or regulations.
(2)(a) Beginning January 1, 2021, any health carrier offering a qualified health plan on the exchange must offer the silver and gold standardized health plans established under this section on the exchange in each county where the carrier offers a qualified health plan. If a health carrier offers a bronze health plan on the exchange, it must offer the bronze standardized health plans established under this section on the exchange in each county where the carrier offers a qualified health plan.
(b)(i) Until December 31, 2022, a health carrier offering a standardized health plan under this section may also offer nonstandardized health plans on the exchange. Beginning January 1, 2023, a health carrier offering a standardized health plan under this section may also offer up to two nonstandardized gold health plans, two nonstandardized bronze health plans, one nonstandardized silver health plan, one nonstandardized platinum health plan, and one nonstandardized catastrophic health plan in each county where the carrier offers a qualified health plan.
(ii) The exchange, in consultation with the office of the insurance commissioner, shall analyze the impact to exchange consumers of offering only standard plans beginning in 2025 and submit a report to the appropriate committees of the legislature by December 1, 2023. The report must include an analysis of how plan choice and affordability will be impacted for exchange consumers across the state, including an analysis of offering a bronze standardized high deductible health plan compatible with a health savings account, and a gold standardized health plan closer in actuarial value to the silver standardized health plan.
(iii) The actuarial value of nonstandardized silver health plans offered on the exchange may not be less than the actuarial value of the standardized silver health plan with the lowest actuarial value.
(c) A health carrier offering a standardized health plan on the exchange under this section must continue to meet all requirements for qualified health plan certification under RCW 43.71.065 including, but not limited to, requirements relating to rate review and network adequacy.
[ 2021 c 246 s 7; 2019 c 364 s 1.]

catchline: Standardized health plans.


title: RCW 43.71.100

text:
(1) Beginning November 1, 2021, the exchange shall provide individuals seeking to enroll in coverage on its website with access to the information a health carrier must provide under RCW 48.43.725 for any qualified health plan the health carrier offers that excludes, under state or federal law, any benefit required or mandated by Title 48 RCW or rules adopted by the commissioner.
(2) The exchange may provide the access required under this section directly on its website, through a link to an external website, or in any other manner that allows consumers to easily access the information.
[ 2020 c 283 s 2.]

catchline: Access to information about exclusion of mandated benefits from qualified health plans—Exchange's duties.


title: RCW 43.71.110

text:
(1) Subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, a premium assistance and cost-sharing reduction program is hereby established to be administered by the exchange.
(2) Premium assistance and cost-sharing reduction amounts must be established by the exchange within parameters established in the omnibus appropriations act.
(3) The exchange must establish, consistent with the omnibus appropriations act:
(a) Procedural requirements for eligibility and continued participation in any premium assistance program or cost-sharing program established under this section, including participant documentation requirements that are necessary to administer the program; and
(b) Procedural requirements for facilitating payments to carriers.
(4) Subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, an individual is eligible for premium assistance and cost-sharing reductions under this section if the individual:
(a)(i) Is a resident of the state;
(ii) Has income that is up to an income threshold determined through appropriation or by the exchange if no income threshold is determined through appropriation;
(iii) Is enrolled in a silver or gold standard plan offered in the enrollee's county of residence;
(iv) Applies for and accepts all federal advance premium tax credits for which they may be eligible before receiving any state premium assistance;
(v) Applies for and accepts all federal cost-sharing reductions for which they may be eligible before receiving any state cost-sharing reductions;
(vi) Is ineligible for minimum essential coverage through medicare, a federal or state medical assistance program administered by the authority under chapter 74.09 RCW, or for premium assistance under RCW 43.71A.020; and
(vii) Meets any other eligibility criteria established by the exchange; or
(b) Meets alternate eligibility criteria as established in the omnibus appropriations act.
(5)(a) The exchange may disqualify an individual from receiving premium assistance or cost-sharing reductions under this section if the individual:
(i) No longer meets the eligibility criteria in subsection (4) of this section;
(ii) Fails, without good cause, to comply with any procedural or documentation requirements established by the exchange in accordance with subsection (3) of this section;
(iii) Fails, without good cause, to notify the exchange of a change of address in a timely manner;
(iv) Voluntarily withdraws from the program; or
(v) Performs an act, practice, or omission that constitutes fraud, and, as a result, an issuer rescinds the individual's policy for the qualified health plan.
(b) The exchange must develop a process for an individual to appeal a premium assistance or cost-sharing assistance eligibility determination from the exchange.
(6) Prior to establishing or altering premium assistance or cost-sharing reduction amounts, eligibility criteria, or procedural requirements under this section, the exchange must:
(a) Publish notice of the proposal on the exchange's website and provide electronic notice of the proposal to any person who has requested such notice. The notice must include an explanation of the proposal, the date, time, and location of the public hearing required in (b) of this subsection, and instructions and reasonable timelines to submit written comments on the proposal;
(b) Conduct at least one public hearing no sooner than 20 days after publishing the notice required in (a) of this subsection; and
(c) Publish notice of the finalized premium assistance or cost-sharing reduction amounts, eligibility criteria, or procedural requirements on the exchange's website and provide the notice electronically to any person who has requested it. The notice must include a detailed description of the finalized premium assistance or cost-sharing reduction amounts, eligibility criteria, or procedural requirements and a description and explanation of how they vary from the initial proposal.
(7) The definitions in this subsection apply throughout this section unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
(a) "Advance premium tax credit" means the premium assistance amount determined in accordance with the federal patient protection and affordable care act, P.L. 111-148, as amended by the federal health care and education reconciliation act of 2010, P.L. 111-152, or federal regulations or guidance issued under the affordable care act.
(b) "Income" means the modified adjusted gross income attributed to an individual for purposes of determining his or her eligibility for advance premium tax credits.
(c) "Standard plan" means a standardized health plan under RCW 43.71.095.
[ 2021 c 246 s 1.]

catchline: Premium assistance and cost-sharing reduction program.


title: RCW 43.71.120

text:
(1) The exchange, in close consultation with the authority and the office of the insurance commissioner, must explore all opportunities to apply to the secretary of health and human services under 42 U.S.C. Sec. 18052 for a waiver or other available federal flexibilities to:
(a) Receive federal funds for the implementation of the premium assistance or cost-sharing reduction programs established under RCW 43.71.110;
(b) Increase access to qualified health plans; and
(c) Implement or expand other exchange programs that increase affordability of or access to health insurance coverage in Washington state.
(2) If, through the process described in subsection (1) of this section[,] an opportunity to submit a waiver is identified, the exchange, in collaboration with the office of the insurance commissioner and the health care authority, may develop an application under this section to be submitted by the health care authority. If an application is submitted, the health care authority must notify the chairs and ranking minority members of the appropriate policy and fiscal committees of the legislature.
(3) Any application submitted under this section must meet all federal public notice and comment requirements under 42 U.S.C. Sec. 18052(a)(4)(B), including public hearings to ensure a meaningful level of public input.
[ 2021 c 246 s 2.]

catchline: Applications to federal government for waivers and other flexibilities.


title: RCW 43.71.130

text:
(1) The state health care affordability account is created in the state treasury. Expenditures from the account may only be used for premium and cost-sharing assistance programs established in RCW 43.71.110.
(2) The following funds must be deposited in the account:
(a) Any grants, donations, or contributions of money collected for purposes of the premium assistance or cost-sharing reduction programs established in RCW 48.43.795;
(b) Any federal funds received by the health benefit exchange pursuant to RCW 43.71.120; and
(c) Any additional funding specifically appropriated to the account.
[ 2021 c 246 s 3.]

catchline: State health care affordability account.


title: RCW 43.71.140

text:
(1) By January 1, 2025, the exchange must establish a worker health plan access program to help Washingtonians who lose health care coverage provided by their employer or a joint labor management trust as a result of an active strike, lockout, or other labor dispute.
(2) Subject to the availability of funding, the exchange must provide enrollment assistance to help maintain coverage for individuals and their dependents who:
(a) Provide a self-attestation regarding loss of minimum essential health care coverage from an employer or joint labor management trust fund as a result of an active strike, lockout, or other labor dispute; and
(b) Are eligible for coverage offered through the exchange.
(3) The exchange may request, and an applicable employer, labor organization, or other appropriate representative, must provide, information to determine the status of a strike, lockout, or labor dispute, its impact to coverage, and any other information determined by the exchange as necessary to conduct outreach and determine eligibility for federal and state subsidies offered through the exchange.
(4) The exchange must establish a process for providing outreach and enrollment assistance, and may establish additional procedural requirements to administer the program established in subsection (1) of this section.
[ 2024 c 263 s 1.]
Notes:
Short title—2024 c 263: "This act may be known and cited as the worker health care protection act." [ 2024 c 263 s 2.]

catchline: Loss of health care coverage from labor dispute—Worker health plan access program.


title: RCW 43.71.900

text:
If any part of this act is found to be in conflict with federal requirements that are a prescribed condition to the allocation of federal funds to the state, the conflicting part of this act is inoperative solely to the extent of the conflict and with respect to the agencies directly affected, and this finding does not affect the operation of the remainder of this act in its application to the agencies concerned. Rules adopted under this act must meet federal requirements that are a necessary condition to the receipt of federal funds by the state.
[ 2011 c 317 s 9.]

catchline: Conflict with federal requirements—2011 c 317.


title: RCW 43.71.901

text:
Nothing in chapter 87, Laws of 2012 prohibits the offering of benefits for spiritual care services deductible under section 213(d) of the internal revenue code in health plans inside and outside of the exchange.
[ 2012 c 87 s 14.]

catchline: Spiritual care services—2012 c 87.


title: RCW 43.71A.005

text:
(1) The legislature finds that:
(a) The compact of free association (COFA) islands, which consists of the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia, has had a long-standing relationship with the United States;
(b) The relationship between the COFA islands and the United States includes economic development and a military presence in the islands;
(c) The region served as a testing ground for atmospheric nuclear weapons between 1946 and 1957, which resulted in past and current inhabitants being exposed to nuclear fallout;
(d) Residents of the COFA islands are allowed to enter the United States without work permits or visas where they live, study, work, serve in the military, and pay state and federal taxes, but are ineligible for federal health programs like medicaid and medicare; and
(e) This ineligibility for federal health programs has exacerbated barriers to health care access for this population, which has led to poorer health outcomes and increased, long-term costs on the health care system as a whole.
(2) The legislature therefore intends to increase access to health care services for COFA islanders residing in Washington by providing premium and cost-sharing assistance for health coverage purchased through the health benefit exchange.
[ 2018 c 161 s 1.]

catchline: Findings—Intent.


title: RCW 43.71A.010

text:
The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
(1) "Advance premium tax credit" means the premium assistance amount determined in accordance with the affordable care act.
(2) "Affordable care act" means the federal patient protection and affordable care act, P.L. 111-148, as amended by the federal health care and education reconciliation act of 2010, P.L. 111-152, or federal regulations or guidance issued under the affordable care act.
(3) "Authority" means the Washington state health care authority.
(4) "COFA citizen" means a person who is a citizen of:
(a) The Republic of the Marshall Islands;
(b) The Federated States of Micronesia; or
(c) The Republic of Palau.
(5) "Health benefit exchange" or "exchange" means the Washington health benefit exchange established in chapter 43.71 RCW.
(6) "Income" means the modified adjusted gross income attributed to an individual for purposes of determining his or her eligibility for advance premium tax credits.
(7) "In-network provider" means a health care provider or group of providers that directly contracts with an insurer to provide health benefits covered by a health benefit plan offered by an insurer.
(8) "Open enrollment period" means the period during which a person may enroll in a qualified health plan.
(9) "Out-of-pocket costs" means copayments, coinsurance, deductibles, and other cost-sharing requirements imposed under a qualified health plan for services, pharmaceuticals, devices, and other health benefits that are covered by the plan and rendered by in-network providers.
(10) "Premium cost" means an individual's premium for a qualified health plan less the amount of the individual's advance premium tax credit.
(11) "Qualified health plan" means a health benefit plan sold through the health benefit exchange.
(12) "Resident" means a person who is domiciled in this state.
(13) "Special enrollment period" means a period during which a person who has not done so during the open enrollment period may enroll in a qualified health plan through the exchange if the person meets specified requirements.
[ 2018 c 161 s 2.]

catchline: Definitions.


title: RCW 43.71A.020

text:
(1) An individual is eligible for the COFA premium assistance program if the individual:
(a) Is a resident;
(b) Is a COFA citizen;
(c) Enrolls in a silver qualified health plan;
(d) Has income that is less than one hundred thirty-three percent of the federal poverty level; and
(e) Is ineligible for a federal or state medical assistance program administered by the authority under chapter 74.09 RCW.
(2) Subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, the authority shall pay the premium cost for a qualified health plan and the out-of-pocket costs for the coverage provided by the plan for an individual who is eligible for the premium assistance program under subsection (1) of this section.
(3) The authority may disqualify a participant from the program if the participant:
(a) No longer meets the eligibility criteria in subsection (1) of this section;
(b) Fails, without good cause, to comply with procedural or documentation requirements established by the authority in accordance with subsection (4) of this section;
(c) Fails, without good cause, to notify the authority of a change of address in a timely manner;
(d) Withdraws the participant's application or requests termination of coverage; or
(e) Performs an act, practice, or omission that constitutes fraud, and, as a result, an insurer rescinds the participant's policy for the qualified health plan.
(4) The authority shall establish:
(a) Application, enrollment, and renewal processes for the COFA premium assistance program;
(b) The qualified health plans that are eligible for reimbursement under the program;
(c) Procedural requirements for continued participation in the program, including participant documentation requirements that are necessary for the authority to administer the program; and
(d) Open enrollment periods and special enrollment periods consistent with the enrollment periods for the health benefit exchange.
(5) The first open enrollment period for the COFA premium assistance program must begin no later than November 1, 2018.
[ 2019 c 311 s 2; 2018 c 161 s 3.]
Notes:
Findings—Intent—2019 c 311: See note following RCW 74.09.719.

catchline: Eligibility—Costs to be paid—Disqualification—Establishment of procedures.


title: RCW 43.71A.030

text:
The authority, in consultation with the Washington state commission on Asian Pacific American affairs, shall establish an annual comprehensive community education and outreach program to COFA citizens, including contracting with a Washington organization that has multilingual language capacity, and working with stakeholder and community organizations, to facilitate applications for, and enrollment in, the COFA premium assistance and dental care programs. Subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, the education and outreach program shall provide culturally and linguistically accessible information to facilitate participation in the programs, including but not limited to enrollment procedures, benefit utilization, and patient responsibilities.
[ 2019 c 311 s 3.]
Notes:
Findings—Intent—2019 c 311: See note following RCW 74.09.719.

catchline: Education and outreach program.


title: RCW 43.71A.800

text:
The authority shall appoint an advisory committee that includes, but is not limited to, insurers and representatives of communities of COFA citizens. The committee shall advise the authority in the development, implementation, and operation of the COFA premium assistance program established in this chapter and the COFA islander dental care program established in RCW 74.09.719. The advisory committee must exist until at least December 31, 2021. Advisory committee members may be reimbursed for transportation and travel expenses related to serving on the committee, as needed.
[ 2019 c 311 s 5; 2018 c 161 s 4.]
Notes:
Findings—Intent—2019 c 311: See note following RCW 74.09.719.

catchline: Advisory committee.