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, select "Subscribe for Updates" at the bottom of the page.
Current rules in progress
- Hospital Price Transparency
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On November 6, 2025 the department filed a CR101 (PDF) to consider creating a new section in chapter WAC 246-320 and adding definitions to WAC 246-320-010, to provide clarity and direction related to hospital price transparency requirements.
Workshops will be held virtually and will be scheduled at the beginning of the year. The meeting schedule will be posted here when it is available and will include online registration.
- Hospital Emergency Services
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On November 26, 2025, the department filed a CR103(PDF) to adopt amendments to WAC 246-320-010 and 246-320-281 in accordance with recently passed legislation and Directive of the Governor 25-01. The rules ensure access to emergency medical care, including emergency abortion services, and protect a pregnant person’s right to exercise informed consent in prioritizing their health and safety when receiving treatment for emergency medical conditions. The permanent rules will be effective December 27, 2025.
On September 4, 2025, the department filed an emergency rule (PDF) continuing the provision of emergency rules initially adopted (PDF) by the department on January 13, 2025, under WSR 25-03-056. The permanent rules will replace the emergency rule on December 27, 2025.
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- Hospital at Home
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The department filed a CR103 (PDF) on May 30, 2025, adopting rules that establish operating standards and an application process for hospital at-home programs by creating WAC 246-320-278, and amending WAC 246-320-199 to establish a one-time application fee that is necessary to cover the cost of reviewing hospital at-home applications. The rules become effective on October 1, 2025, and hospitals licensed under chapter 70.41 RCW will need to submit an application to the department to operate the program. Application information will be available August 2025.
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- Acute Care and Psychiatric hospitals - Fees
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On June 25, 2024, at 11 a.m., the Department of Health held 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 Department of Health is adopting amendments to WAC 246-320-199 and 246-322-990 to update fees for acute care hospitals licensed under chapter 246-320 WAC and private psychiatric hospitals licensed under chapter 246-322 WAC.
These changes address funding needs and to clarify and standardize the language.
To comply with this direction, the Department of Health has issued CR-103P (PDF) and an accompanying concise explanatory statement (PDF) to highlight the necessity for the updated fees. These updates are intended to ensure adequate funding for hospital inspections, investigation, and licensing programs to protect patients.
For additional information, see our hospitals webpage or fees webpage or email the facilities program.
Supporting Materials:
- Updating references to pharmacy rules within WAC chapters for hospitals, ambulatory surgical facilities, in-home services agencies, and residential treatment facilities
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The Department of Health has filed a CR-103 (PDF) to correct an error related to the previous fee increase pertaining to the renewal fee amount.
This rule will go into effect on July 15, 2025.