Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Health Care & Wellness Committee

HB 1021

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Summary of Bill

Repeals four-week notice requirement for state agencies that provide notice prior to hospital surveys or audits.

Background:

State agencies, including the Department of Health, conduct hospital surveys and audits in order to enforce standards and rules required for the safe care and treatment of patients. An audit entails an examination of records or financial accounts to evaluate accuracy and monitor compliance with statutory or regulatory requirements. A survey involves an inspection, examination, or site visit conducted by an agency.

Agencies may be required to give prior notice of an audit or survey unless the agency is responding to a complaint or immediate public health and safety concerns or when such prior notice would conflict with other state or federal law. Any state agency that provides notice of a hospital survey or audit must provide such notice to the hospital no less than four weeks prior to the date of the survey or audit.

Summary of Bill:

The requirement is repealed that a state agency providing notice of a hospital survey or audit provide that notice prior to the date of the survey or audit.