EXECUTIVE ORDER
THE GOVERNOR
INVESTIGATION OF HEALTH PROFESSIONAL
SEXUAL MISCONDUCT
Washington residents deserve a system that makes patient
safety the top priority and instills confidence in the
professionalism and training of their health care providers;
and
The state's disciplining authorities, including the Department
of Health and state boards and commissions, are responsible
for ensuring patient safety by regulating health care
professions and sanctioning those providers who exhibit
unprofessional conduct; and
Sexual misconduct by health professionals in Washington is
unacceptable and demands strong regulatory action by the
state's disciplining authorities to better protect the public.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Christine O. Gregoire, Governor of the State
of Washington, direct all health profession disciplining
authorities, including those reporting to the Secretary of
Health and independent boards and commissions, to promptly
investigate, without exception, all allegations of sexual
misconduct by health care professionals within their
respective governing authorities.
It is not the policy of Washington State to tolerate sexual
misconduct, particularly by health care providers who act in
service to the public. Rather, it is the policy of Washington
State to thoroughly investigate all allegations of such
conduct.
Washington State's health profession disciplining authorities
shall work collaboratively with the Secretary of Health to:
1) | Establish a comprehensive definition of sexual misconduct, no later than September 1, 2006, that will be used in investigations of such conduct across all State health care professions; and |
2) | Establish comprehensive protocols for investigating allegations of sexual misconduct, no later than July 1, 2006, to ensure that any State action in this regard is uniform across all State health professions; and |
3) | Provide an annual report to the Governor on the application of these tasks. |
Signed and sealed with the official seal of the State of
Washington, on this 4th day of May 2006, at Olympia,
Washington.
By: | |||
Christine O. Gregoire | |||
Governor | |||
BY THE GOVERNOR: | |||
Sam Reed | |||
Secretary of State |