Accredited birthing centers

AN ACT Relating to inspections for accredited birthing centers; 1
and amending RCW 18.46.080. 2
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:3
Sec. 1. RCW 18.46.080 and 2000 c 93 s 35 are each amended to 4
read as follows: 5
(1) The department shall make or cause to be made an inspection 6
and investigation of all birthing centers, and every inspection may 7
include an inspection of every part of the premises. The department 8
may make an examination of all records, methods of administration, 9
the general and special dietary and the stores and methods of supply. 10
The department may prescribe by regulation that any licensee or 11
applicant desiring to make specified types of alteration or addition 12
to its facilities or to construct new facilities shall before 13
commencing such alterations, addition, or new construction submit 14
plans and specifications therefor to the department for preliminary 15
inspection and approval or recommendations with respect to compliance 16
with regulations and standards herein authorized. Necessary 17
conferences and consultations may be provided. 18
(2)(a) A birthing center that is accredited by a birthing center 19
accrediting body is not required to undergo an on-site survey or 20
inspection as part of the initial application for licensure if:21
H-1097.1
HOUSE BILL 1824
State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session
By Representative Barnard
Read first time 02/04/25. Referred to Committee on Health Care &
Wellness.
p. 1 HB 1824
(i) The department determines that the applicable survey 1
standards of the accrediting body are substantially equivalent to 2
those adopted by the department;3
(ii) An on-site survey has been conducted for the purposes of 4
accreditation during the previous 24 months; and5
(iii) The department receives directly from the accrediting body 6
or from the applicant copies of the latest survey report and other 7
relevant reports or findings that indicate compliance with licensure 8
requirements.9
(b) The department retains authority to survey those service 10
areas not addressed by the accrediting body, if any.11
(c) In reviewing the birthing center accrediting body's survey 12
standards for substantial equivalency to those set forth in this 13
chapter or adopted by the department in rule, the department is 14
directed to provide the most liberal interpretation consistent with 15
the intent of this chapter. In the event the department determines at 16
any time that the survey standards are not substantially equivalent 17
to those required by this chapter or adopted by the department in 18
rule, the department is directed to notify the affected licensees. 19
The notification must contain a detailed description of the 20
deficiencies in the alternative survey process, as well as an 21
explanation concerning the risk to the consumer. The determination of 22
substantial equivalency for alternative survey process and lack of 23
substantial equivalency are agency actions and subject to RCW 24
34.05.210 through 34.05.395 and 34.05.510 through 34.05.675.25
(d) The department is authorized to perform a validation survey 26
on applicants who previously received a survey through the 27
accreditation process by the accrediting body. The department is 28
authorized to perform a validation survey on no greater than 10 29
percent of applicants that are accredited by the accrediting body.30
(e) This subsection (2) does not affect the department's 31
enforcement authority for licensed birthing centers.32
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p. 2 HB 1824