Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
General Government & Information Technology Committee |
HB 2625
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 Description: Limiting the uses of the fire protection contractor license fund.
Sponsors: Representatives Appleton and Griffey.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/2/16
Staff: Linda Merelle (786-7092)
Background:
Hospital Inspection Program
The Chief of the Washington State Patrol (WSP), through the Director of Fire Protection
(Director), sets and enforces standards for fire protection regarding all licensed hospitals. The Director must inspect hospitals at least once every 18 months, coinciding with the licensing inspection conducted by the Department of Health (DOH). The DOH must incorporate the written report from the Director into the DOH's final inspection report. Applicants or licensees must submit their corrections for compliance with the fire protection standards along with any other licensing inspection corrections to the DOH. The DOH sends the fire protection corrections to the Director. The Director may reinspect the premises if extensive and serious corrections are required. Inspections conducted by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations are deemed equivalent to an inspection by the Director.
The Director designates a lead deputy state fire marshal for each region to conduct fire protection inspections. Prior to conducting hospital fire protection inspections, the deputy state fire marshals must receive an orientation regarding hospitals that includes the subjects regarding the clinical environment of hospitals, the operating room environment, fire protection practices in hospitals. They must also participate in a licensing inspection of at least one urban and one rural hospital.
Fire Protection Contractor License Fund
The Director administers licensing and certification requirements, and sets license and certificate fees for fire sprinkler contractors and those who have a fire sprinkler Certificate of Competency. These fees and any associated late charges are deposited into the Fire Protection Contractor License Fund. This fund may only be used for the following purposes:
hospital fire protection inspections;
licensing and regulating fire protection sprinkler system contractors;
assisting in identifying fire sprinkler system components subject to recalls or voluntary replacement programs; and
developing and publishing educational materials related to the effectiveness of residential fire sprinklers.
Summary of Bill:
The Fire Protection Contractor License Fund may no longer be used for hospital fire protection inspections.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.