The purpose of this chapter is to describe the department of health and the general course and method of its operations. This chapter is adopted under RCW 34.05.220 and 42.17.250, and chapter 43.70 RCW.

As used in this chapter:

(1) "Department" means the department of health.

(2) "Secretary" means the secretary of the department of health or the secretary's designee.

The department balances its three core functions to accomplish its mission:

(1) Assessment. To regularly assess state health needs and resources, the department shall:

(a) Collect data on health status, personal health services, and the environment;

(b) Address major health problems in the state or community and population groups at greatest risk; availability and quality of service; resource availability; and the primary concerns of both citizens and providers; and

(c) Make budget and program revisions based on this assessment.

(2) Policy development. To develop and implement sound public policy, the department includes:

(a) Knowledge gained from assessment;

(b) Consideration of the political, organizational, and community environments;

(c) Citizen participation; and

(d) Cooperation with the state board of health and other state and local agencies.

(3) Assurance. To ensure the capacity of public health agencies to manage day-to-day operations and to respond to public health emergencies, the department shall:

(a) Provide direct support when costs to replicate services in each local area would be prohibitive;

(b) Provide technical assistance when services can be provided more effectively by local health agencies; and

(c) Provide quality service.

(1) The secretary is appointed by, and serves at the pleasure of, the governor. In addition to other powers, the secretary may:

(a) Adopt rules;

(b) Appoint advisory committees on areas of emerging concern;

(c) Undertake studies, research, and analyses;

(d) Delegate powers, duties, and functions;

(e) Enter into contracts on behalf of the department; and

(f) Act for the state in the initiation of, or the participation in, intergovernmental programs.

(2) In case of the absence or disability of the secretary, or in case the office of secretary becomes vacant, the deputy secretary shall have full charge and supervision of the department and shall have the same power and authority to act as the secretary.

(3) In the case of the absence or disability of the secretary and the deputy secretary, the person designated "acting secretary" shall have the same power and authority to act as the secretary. If no person has been so designated, then the power to act as acting secretary shall be vested in any of the assistant secretaries designated in WAC 246-01-080, in the order in which they are listed therein.

(1) The secretary serves as a member of the state board of health.

(2) The state board of health may advise the secretary on health policy issues pertaining to the department and the state.

(3) The state board of health has statutory authority to adopt rules to protect the public health, and may delegate this authority to the secretary and rescind such delegated authority.

(4) The department enforces the rules, regulations, and orders of the state board of health.

(1) The department works with local health departments/districts in partnership to promote public health.

(2) The department provides notification of outbreaks and epidemics of disease that may occur and advises local departments/districts of the measures necessary to prevent and control such outbreaks and epidemics.

(3) Upon the request of a local health officer, the department may take legal action to enforce public health laws, rules, and regulations of the state board of health or local rules and regulations within the jurisdiction served by the local health department, and may institute any civil legal proceeding authorized by state law.

(1) DOH exists to protect and improve the health of the people of Washington. The department shares this mission with three primary partners:

(a) Professional boards, commissions, and committees, which have varying degrees of statutory authority, ranging from advisory powers to rule adoptions and disciplinary powers;

(b) The state board of health which has statutory authority to adopt rules to protect the public health, and may delegate this authority to the secretary and rescind the delegated authority; and

(c) Local health jurisdictions throughout the state.

(2) DOH is organized into four health services divisions as noted in this subsection plus the secretary's office, information resource management office, financial services office, and other administrative offices necessary to carry out the goals expressed in RCW 43.70.020(2):

(a) Community and family health;

(b) Environmental health;

(c) Epidemiology, health statistics and public health laboratories; and

(d) Health systems quality assurance.

(3) DOH maintains offices in Kent, Tumwater, Richland, Shoreline and Spokane. These offices are not complete service locations and are not required to keep complete policy manuals and other records available for public inspection.

(1) The department provides a consumer assistance statewide toll-free hotline. Consumer assistance personnel assist the public with information, concerns, or complaints about the department and serve as advocates for consumers who are complainants or witnesses in a licensing or disciplinary proceeding. The health consumer assistance line is 1-800-525-0127; its mailing address is P.O. Box 47890, Olympia, WA 98504-7890.

(2) Individuals may contact the department to obtain or submit information, or make requests by:

(a) Writing to the department at Department of Health, P.O. Box 47890, Olympia, WA 98504-7890; or

(b) Visiting the department's website at: http://doh.wa.gov.