Revised Code of Washington (RCW)

A statute or Revised Code of Washington (RCW) is written by the Washington State Legislature. Once legislation is signed by the Governor, it becomes law.

The site for RCWs is a searchable database on the Internet. You can also access the State Government Web Site at http://wsl.leg.wa.gov . If you are interested in obtaining a copy of any RCW, you may contact your local public library or the Washington State Office of the Code Reviser at (360) 786-6777. You may also contact this program for laws relating to the Chemical Dependency Professional Program.

The RCW that relates to Chemical Dependency Professionals is RCW Chapter 18.205

Other relevant RCWs are: 

RCW 18.130	Regulation of Health Professions—Uniform Disciplinary Act
RCW 26.44.030	Abuse of Children and Adult Dependent Persons
RCW 42.17	Public Disclosure
RCW 70.02	Medical Records-Health Care Information Access and  Disclosure
RCW 71.05	Mental Illness Act
RCW 74.34	Abuse of Vulnerable Adults

Washington Administrative Code (WAC)

A rule or Washington Administrative Code (WAC) is written to provide interpretive support for the individuals or entities to whom the rule applies. Department of Health rules are written and adopted by a Board or Commission or the Secretary of the Department of Health. Rules or WACs carry the full force of the law.

WACs are available on the State Government Web Site at http://slc.leg.wa.gov or you may contact your local public library or the Washington State Office of the Code Reviser at (360) 786-6777. 

The WACs that relate to:

WAC 246-12	Administrative Procedures and Requirements for Credentialed Health Care Providers
WAC 246-15	Whistleblower Complaints in Health Care Settings
WAC 246-16	Standards of professional conduct
WAC 246-811	Chemical Dependency Professionals