Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Local Government Committee

HB 2539

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: Concerning public hospital district health and wellness promotion activities and superintendent appointment and removal.

Sponsors: Representatives Peterson, Griffey, Kloba and Robinson.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Expands the definitions of "other health care facilities" and "other health care services" in the public hospital district statutes to include wellness promotion activities.

  • Authorizes a public hospital district commission to appoint or remove a hospital superintendent at the same meeting (instead of at a subsequent meeting) that a resolution is introduced relating to the matter.

Hearing Date: 1/17/18

Staff: Yvonne Walker (786-7841).

Background:

In 1945 the Washington State Legislature adopted legislation establishing public hospital districts. Public hospital districts are types of municipal corporations that are authorized to operate hospitals and other health care facilities and to provide hospital and health care services within a specified community.

Terms Defined.

As defined in statute, "other health care facilities" means nursing home, extended care, long-term care, outpatient and rehabilitative facilities, ambulances, and such other facilities as are appropriate to the health needs of the population served. "Other health care services" means nursing home, extended care, long-term care, outpatient, rehabilitative, health maintenance, and ambulance services and such other services as are appropriate to the health needs of the population served.

Public Hospital District Commission Appointment of Superintendents.

Public hospital districts are formed by a vote of local residents and are governed by an elected Board of Commissioners. Fifty-eight local communities in Washington have established public hospital districts. Forty-four have hospitals and the others provide services such as ambulance, urgent care, and nursing homes. 

Each public hospital district commission is responsible for appointing a hospital superintendent who serves as the chief administrative officer of the public hospital district. Where a public hospital district operates more than one hospital, the public hospital district commission may appoint up to one superintendent per hospital. The superintendent, who controls the administrative functions of a hospital, is appointed to the position for an indefinite time but can be removed at the will of the commission. Appointments and removals of superintendents are done by resolution, which are introduced at a regular meeting and adopted at a subsequent meeting by a majority vote of the commission.

Summary of Bill:

Terms Defined.

The terms "other health care facilities" and "other health care services" are expanded. Other health care facilities include facilities that promote health, wellness, and prevention of illness and injury. Other health care services is expanded to include services that promote health, wellness, and prevention of illness and injury.

Public Hospital District Commission Appointment of Superintendents.

The appointment or removal of a hospital superintendent may be done by resolution, which is introduced at a regular meeting and adopted at the same meeting (rather than the act being limited to adoption at a subsequent meeting) of the commission.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 10, 2018.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.