If the insurance commissioner reports to the department that he or she has cause to believe that a hospital has engaged in a pattern of violations of RCW 48.49.020 or 48.49.030, and the report is substantiated after investigation, the department may levy a fine upon the hospital in an amount not to exceed one thousand dollars per violation and take other formal or informal disciplinary action as permitted under the authority of the department.

Findings—Intent—Effective date—2019 c 427: See RCW 48.49.003 and 48.49.900.