(1) The department, in consultation with the attorney general, shall determine if the application is complete for the purposes of review. The department may find that an application is incomplete if a question on the application form has not been answered in whole or in part, or has been answered in a manner that does not fairly meet the question addressed, or if the application does not include attachments of supporting documents as required by RCW 70.45.030. If the department determines that an application is incomplete, it shall notify the applicant within fifteen working days after the date the application was received stating the reasons for its determination of incompleteness, with reference to the particular questions for which a deficiency is noted.

(2) Within five working days after receipt of a completed application, the department shall publish notice of the application in a newspaper of general circulation in the county or counties where the hospital is located and shall notify by first-class United States mail, electronic mail, or facsimile transmission, any person who has requested notice of the filing of such applications. The notice must state that an application has been received, state the names of the parties to the agreement, describe the contents of the application, and state the date by which a person may submit written comments about the application to the department.