The bill amends RCW 18.46.080 to establish new regulations regarding inspections of accredited birthing centers in Washington State. It mandates that the Department of Health conduct inspections and investigations of all birthing centers, including a review of their records and operational methods. A significant addition is the provision that birthing centers accredited by a recognized accrediting body will not be subject to state licensure surveys if certain conditions are met, such as the department's determination that the accrediting body's standards are substantially equivalent to state requirements, and if an on-site survey has been conducted within the last 36 months.

Additionally, the bill allows the department to survey areas not covered by the accrediting body and requires the department to provide a liberal interpretation of substantial equivalency. If the department finds that the standards are not equivalent, it must notify the affected licensees with details on the deficiencies and potential consumer risks. The bill also authorizes the department to conduct validation surveys on a limited percentage of accredited applicants, while clarifying that these changes do not impact the initial licensing process or enforcement authority for licensed birthing centers.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 18.46.080
Substitute Bill: 18.46.080