2012 Revised Code of Washington
Title 43 - STATE GOVERNMENT — EXECUTIVE
43.20A Department of social and health services.
43.20A.605 Authority to administer oaths and issue subpoenas -- Provisions governing subpoenas.

RCW 43.20A.605 Authority to administer oaths and issue subpoenas — Provisions governing subpoenas.

(1) The secretary or a designee shall have full authority to administer oaths and take testimony thereunder, to issue subpoenas requiring the attendance of witnesses before him or her together with all books, memoranda, papers, and other documents, articles or instruments, and to compel the disclosure by such witnesses of all facts known to them relative to the matters under investigation.

     (2) Subpoenas issued in adjudicative proceedings are governed by RCW 34.05.588(1).

     (3) Subpoenas issued in the conduct of investigations required or authorized by other statutory provisions or necessary in the enforcement of other statutory provisions shall be governed by RCW 34.05.588(2).

     (4) When a judicially approved subpoena is required by law, the secretary or designee may apply for and obtain a superior court order approving and authorizing a subpoena in advance of its issuance. The application may be made in the county where the subpoenaed person resides or is found, or in the county where the subpoenaed documents, records, or evidence are located, or in Thurston county. The application must:

     (a) State that an order is sought under this section;

     (b) Adequately specify the documents, records, evidence, or testimony; and    

     (c) Include a declaration made under oath that an investigation is being conducted for a lawfully authorized purpose related to an investigation within the department's authority and that the subpoenaed documents, records, evidence, or testimony are reasonably related to an investigation within the department's authority.    

     (5) When an application under subsection (4) of this section is made to the satisfaction of the court, the court must issue an order approving the subpoena. When a judicially approved subpoena is required by law, an order under this subsection constitutes authority of law for the agency to subpoena the documents, records, evidence, or testimony.

     (6) The secretary or designee may seek approval and a court may issue an order under this section without prior notice to any person, including the person to whom the subpoena is directed and the person who is the subject of an investigation. An application for court approval is subject to the fee and process set forth in RCW 36.18.012(3).

[2011 1st sp.s. c 42 § 23; 2009 c 549 § 5078; 1989 c 175 § 97; 1983 1st ex.s. c 41 § 21; 1979 c 141 § 47; 1967 ex.s. c 102 § 2. Formerly RCW 43.20.015.]

Notes:

Findings -- Intent -- Effective date -- 2011 1st sp.s. c 42: See notes following RCW 74.08A.260.      Finding -- 2011 1st sp.s. c 42: See note following RCW 74.04.004.      Effective date -- 1989 c 175: See note following RCW 34.05.010.      Severability -- 1983 1st ex.s. c 41: See note following RCW 26.09.060.      Severability -- 1967 ex.s. c 102: See note following RCW 43.70.130.