Rule making is the process the Department of Health uses when proposing to create, change, or delete rules in order to protect public health. To learn more, see the department’s “What is Rule Making?” webpage.
To get updates about rule-making projects and other topics, subscribe for updates by selecting "Sign up for Updates from DOH" at the bottom of the page.
Current rules in progress
- Acute Care and Psychiatric hospitals - Fees
-
On June 25, 2024, at 11 a.m., the Department of Health will hold a public rule hearing related to initial and annual licensing fees for hospitals to generate the revenue needed to license, perform inspections and investigations, and complete other regulatory work required to protect patient safety. The CR-102 for Acute Care and Psychiatric Hospital Fees was filed on May 21, 2024, as WSR 24-11-118 (PDF) to propose amendments to WACs 246-320-199 and 246-322-990.
The public hearing will be held on June 25, 2024, at 11 a.m. to receive public testimony. The hearing will be hybrid so individuals may participate in person or virtually.
The in-person hearing will be held at:
Department of Health
Town Center 2, Rooms 166/167
111 Israel Rd. S.E
Tumwater, WA. 98501Virtual participation requires registration. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Register for the Zoom public hearing.
If you wish to submit written formal comments about this rulemaking you may submit them by close of business (5 p.m.) on June 25, 2024. See the department's rules comment webpage for more information.
Please note that all comments received will be given the same consideration. We encourage you to comment in a manner that is most convenient for you.
If you have any questions or feedback you would like to share, please send us an email.
Supporting Materials:
- Acute Care hospitals – 23-hour crisis relief centers
-
The Department is considering amending the Acute Care Hospital regulations in chapter 246-320 WAC to implement Second Substitute Senate Bill 2SSB 5120 (PDF) relating to 23-hour crisis relief centers, a new type of facility that will provide mental health and substance use crisis response to adults.
CR-101(PDF) - Amending the Acute Care Hospital regulations in chapter 246-320 WAC to establish rules prohibiting hospitals licensed under 70.41 RCW from discharging or transferring a patient to a 23-hour crisis relief center unless the hospital has a formal relationship with the 23-hour crisis relief center.