The bill seeks to enhance patient protection in health facilities regulated by the Department of Health by establishing uniform enforcement tools and introducing new definitions and enforcement mechanisms. It defines "immediate jeopardy" as a situation where noncompliance in birthing centers poses a risk to patient health and safety, potentially leading to serious injury or death. The Department is granted authority to impose conditions on licenses, assess civil fines of up to $3,000 per violation, and suspend services or admissions when immediate jeopardy is identified. The bill also modifies existing provisions regarding the Department's ability to deny, suspend, or revoke licenses, emphasizing timely corrective actions and establishing a process for immediate enforcement in cases of noncompliance.

Additionally, the bill introduces amendments to laws governing the operation of birthing centers, medical test sites, and in-home services agencies, allowing the Department to issue cease and desist orders for unlicensed operations and imposing civil fines of up to $5,000 per day for violations. It outlines procedures for immediate actions in cases of noncompliance, including show cause hearings and follow-up inspections. The bill also redefines certain terms, such as replacing "psychiatric hospitals" with "private establishments," and introduces new provisions for the regulation of ambulatory surgical facilities and behavioral health agencies. Overall, the legislation aims to strengthen regulatory oversight, ensure compliance with health and safety standards, and enhance the quality of care provided to patients.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 18.46.010, 18.46.050, 18.46.130, 70.42.010, 70.42.130, 70.42.180, 70.127.010, 70.127.170, 70.127.213, 70.230.010, 70.230.070, 71.12.710, 71.12.500, 70.38.025, 70.38.111, 70.38.260, 70.170.020, 18.64.005, 18.64.011, 18.64.047, 18.64.165, 18.64A.020, 18.64A.060, 69.45.080, 69.43.100, 69.43.140, 69.50.302, 69.50.303, 69.50.304, 69.50.310, 69.50.320, 69.41.080
Substitute Bill: 18.46.010, 18.46.050, 18.46.130, 70.42.010, 70.42.130, 70.42.180, 70.127.010, 70.127.170, 70.127.213, 70.230.010, 70.230.070, 71.12.710, 71.12.500, 70.38.025, 70.38.111, 70.38.260, 70.170.020, 18.64.005, 18.64.011, 18.64.047, 18.64.165, 18.64A.020, 18.64A.060, 69.45.080, 69.43.100, 69.43.140, 69.50.302, 69.50.303, 69.50.304, 69.50.310, 69.50.320, 69.41.080
Engrossed Substitute: 18.46.010, 18.46.050, 18.46.130, 70.42.010, 70.42.130, 70.42.180, 70.127.010, 70.127.170, 70.127.213, 70.230.010, 70.230.070, 71.12.710, 71.12.500, 70.38.025, 70.38.111, 70.38.260, 71.24.037, 70.170.020, 18.64.005, 18.64.011, 18.64.047, 18.64.165, 18.64A.020, 18.64A.060, 69.45.080, 69.43.100, 69.43.140, 69.50.302, 69.50.303, 69.50.304, 69.50.310, 69.50.320, 69.41.080
Bill as Passed Legislature: 18.46.010, 18.46.050, 18.46.130, 70.42.010, 70.42.130, 70.42.180, 70.127.010, 70.127.170, 70.127.213, 70.230.010, 70.230.070, 71.12.710, 71.12.500, 70.38.025, 70.38.111, 70.38.260, 71.24.037, 70.170.020, 18.64.005, 18.64.011, 18.64.047, 18.64.165, 18.64A.020, 18.64A.060, 69.45.080, 69.43.100, 69.43.140, 69.50.302, 69.50.303, 69.50.304, 69.50.310, 69.50.320, 69.41.080
Session Law: 18.46.010, 18.46.050, 18.46.130, 70.42.010, 70.42.130, 70.42.180, 70.127.010, 70.127.170, 70.127.213, 70.230.010, 70.230.070, 71.12.710, 71.12.500, 70.38.025, 70.38.111, 70.38.260, 71.24.037, 70.170.020, 18.64.005, 18.64.011, 18.64.047, 18.64.165, 18.64A.020, 18.64A.060, 69.45.080, 69.43.100, 69.43.140, 69.50.302, 69.50.303, 69.50.304, 69.50.310, 69.50.320, 69.41.080