Rules in Progress

On January 10, 2025, Gov. Jay Inslee issued directive 25-01 which directs the Department of Health to adopt an emergency rule regarding emergency abortion care in Washington State. The department filed an amendment to existing rules to ensure access to treatment, including abortion care, for emergency medical conditions in hospital emergency departments and to protect a pregnant person’s right to exercise informed consent in prioritizing their health and safety when receiving treatment for emergency medical conditions in hospital emergency departments. The emergency rule was filed on January 13, 2025 (PDF), and went into effect immediately.

The Department of Health filed a CR-102 on March 10, 2025 (PDF), to propose rules to establish operating standards and fees for hospital at-home services. You can comment on the proposed rules by email (ochsfacilities@doh.wa.gov). You can also provide public comment at a virtual public hearing that is scheduled on April 22, 2025, at noon.

• Register to attend. 

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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:

• CR-102 for Acute Care and Psychiatric Hospital Fees (PDF)
• Acute Care Hospital Fee Narrative (PDF)
• Psychiatric Hospital Fee Narrative (PDF)

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.

The Department of Health has filed a CR-102 (PDF) to do expedited rulemaking with proposed language amending WAC 246-320-211 Pharmaceutical services for Hospital licensing regulations in addition to WAC sections for other facility types. The purpose of this rulemaking is to correct references to outdated pharmacy rule citations.

You may provide comments on the proposed rule using one of the following options:

• The Department of Health rules comment webpage
• By email at julie.tomaro@doh.wa.gov 
• By mail: Attn: Julie Tomaro, P.O. Box 47850, Olympia, WA 98504.

Public Rules Hearing Registration Information for May 6, 2025, at noon.

This public hearing will be held virtually:

Register for the virtual Public Rules Hearing Webinar.