2005 Washington Revised Code RCW 43.20.050: Powers and duties of state board of health — State public health report — Delegation of authority — Enforcement of rules.
(1) The state board of health shall provide a forum for the development of public health policy in Washington state. It is authorized to recommend to the secretary means for obtaining appropriate citizen and professional involvement in all public health policy formulation and other matters related to the powers and duties of the department. It is further empowered to hold hearings and explore ways to improve the health status of the citizenry.
(a) At least every five years, the state board shall convene regional forums to gather citizen input on public health issues.
(b) Every two years, in coordination with the development of the state biennial budget, the state board shall prepare the state public health report that outlines the health priorities of the ensuing biennium. The report shall:
(i) Consider the citizen input gathered at the forums;
(ii) Be developed with the assistance of local health departments;
(iii) Be based on the best available information collected and reviewed according to RCW 43.70.050 and recommendations from the *council;
(iv) Be developed with the input of state health care agencies. At least the following directors of state agencies shall provide timely recommendations to the state board on suggested health priorities for the ensuing biennium: The secretary of social and health services, the health care authority administrator, the insurance commissioner, the superintendent of public instruction, the director of labor and industries, the director of ecology, and the director of agriculture;
(v) Be used by state health care agency administrators in preparing proposed agency budgets and executive request legislation;
(vi) Be submitted by the state board to the governor by January 1 of each even-numbered year for adoption by the governor. The governor, no later than March 1 of that year, shall approve, modify, or disapprove the state public health report.
(c) In fulfilling its responsibilities under this subsection, the state board may create ad hoc committees or other such committees of limited duration as necessary.
(2) In order to protect public health, the state board of health shall:
(a) Adopt rules necessary to assure safe and reliable public drinking water and to protect the public health. Such rules shall establish requirements regarding:
(i) The design and construction of public water system facilities, including proper sizing of pipes and storage for the number and type of customers;
(ii) Drinking water quality standards, monitoring requirements, and laboratory certification requirements;
(iii) Public water system management and reporting requirements;
(iv) Public water system planning and emergency response requirements;
(v) Public water system operation and maintenance requirements;
(vi) Water quality, reliability, and management of existing but inadequate public water systems; and
(vii) Quality standards for the source or supply, or both source and supply, of water for bottled water plants.
(b) Adopt rules and standards for prevention, control, and abatement of health hazards and nuisances related to the disposal of wastes, solid and liquid, including but not limited to sewage, garbage, refuse, and other environmental contaminants; adopt standards and procedures governing the design, construction, and operation of sewage, garbage, refuse and other solid waste collection, treatment, and disposal facilities;
(c) Adopt rules controlling public health related to environmental conditions including but not limited to heating, lighting, ventilation, sanitary facilities, cleanliness and space in all types of public facilities including but not limited to food service establishments, schools, institutions, recreational facilities and transient accommodations and in places of work;
(d) Adopt rules for the imposition and use of isolation and quarantine;
(e) Adopt rules for the prevention and control of infectious and noninfectious diseases, including food and vector borne illness, and rules governing the receipt and conveyance of remains of deceased persons, and such other sanitary matters as admit of and may best be controlled by universal rule; and
(f) Adopt rules for accessing existing data bases for the purposes of performing health related research.
(3) The state board may delegate any of its rule-adopting authority to the secretary and rescind such delegated authority.
(4) All local boards of health, health authorities and officials, officers of state institutions, police officers, sheriffs, constables, and all other officers and employees of the state, or any county, city, or township thereof, shall enforce all rules adopted by the state board of health. In the event of failure or refusal on the part of any member of such boards or any other official or person mentioned in this section to so act, he shall be subject to a fine of not less than fifty dollars, upon first conviction, and not less than one hundred dollars upon second conviction.
(5) The state board may advise the secretary on health policy issues pertaining to the department of health and the state.
[1993 c 492 § 489; 1992 c 34 § 4. Prior: 1989 1st ex.s. c 9 § 210; 1989 c 207 § 1; 1985 c 213 § 1; 1979 c 141 § 49; 1967 ex.s. c 102 § 9; 1965 c 8 § 43.20.050; prior: (i) 1901 c 116 § 1; 1891 c 98 § 2; RRS § 6001. (ii) 1921 c 7 § 58; RRS § 10816.]
*Reviser's note: RCW 70.170.030, which created the health care access and cost control council, was repealed by 1995 c 269 § 2204, effective July 1, 1995.
Findings -- 1993 c 492: "The legislature finds that our health and financial security are jeopardized by our ever increasing demand for health care and by current health insurance and health system practices. Current health system practices encourage public demand for unneeded, ineffective, and sometimes dangerous health treatments. These practices often result in unaffordable cost increases that far exceed ordinary inflation for essential care. Current total health care expenditure rates should be sufficient to provide access to essential health care interventions to all within a reformed, efficient system.
Intent -- 1993 c 492: "(1) The legislature intends that state government policy stabilize health services costs, assure access to essential services for all residents, actively address the health care needs of persons of color, improve the public's health, and reduce unwarranted health services costs to preserve the viability of nonhealth care businesses.
Short title -- Severability -- Savings -- Captions not law -- Reservation of legislative power -- Effective dates -- 1993 c 492: See RCW 43.72.910 through 43.72.915.
Severability -- 1992 c 34: See note following RCW 69.07.170.
Effective date -- Severability -- 1989 1st ex.s. c 9: See RCW 43.70.910 and 43.70.920.
Savings -- 1985 c 213: "This act shall not be construed as affecting any existing right acquired or liability or obligation incurred under the sections amended or repealed in this act or under any rule, regulation, or order adopted under those sections, nor as affecting any proceeding instituted under those sections." [1985 c 213 § 31.]
Effective date -- 1985 c 213: "This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety, the support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect June 30, 1985." [1985 c 213 § 33.]
Severability -- 1967 ex.s. c 102: See note following RCW 43.70.130.
Rules and regulations -- Visual and auditory screening of pupils: RCW 28A.210.020. |
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