AN ACT Relating to safe injection sites in Washington state; amending RCW 70.05.010, 70.05.060, 70.05.070, and 70.05.130; adding new sections to chapter 70.05 RCW; and providing for submission of this act to a vote of the people.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 70.05 RCW to read as follows:

The legislature recognizes the need for action in order to remedy the substance abuse and addiction issues seen across the state of Washington. As a part of the state's response to this issue, the legislature further recognizes that the use of safe injection sites is inconsistent with the state's goal of remedying substance use disorder issues across Washington.

Sec. 2.  RCW 70.05.010 and 1993 c 492 s 234 are each amended to read as follows:

For the purposes of chapters 70.05 and 70.46 RCW and unless the context thereof clearly indicates to the contrary:

(1) "Local health departments" means the county or district which provides public health services to persons within the area.

(2) "Local health officer" means the legally qualified physician who has been appointed as the health officer for the county or district public health department.

(3) "Local board of health" means the county or district board of health.

(4) "Health district" means all the territory consisting of one or more counties organized pursuant to the provisions of chapters 70.05 and 70.46 RCW.

(5) "Department" means the department of health.

Sec. 3.  RCW 70.05.060 and 1991 c 3 s 308 are each amended to read as follows:

Except as provided for in section 5 of this act, each local board of health shall have supervision over all matters pertaining to the preservation of the life and health of the people within its jurisdiction and shall:

(1) Enforce through the local health officer or the administrative officer appointed under RCW 70.05.040, if any, the public health statutes of the state and rules promulgated by the state board of health and the secretary of health;

(2) Supervise the maintenance of all health and sanitary measures for the protection of the public health within its jurisdiction;

(3) Enact such local rules and regulations as are necessary in order to preserve, promote and improve the public health and provide for the enforcement thereof;

(4) Provide for the control and prevention of any dangerous, contagious or infectious disease within the jurisdiction of the local health department;

(5) Provide for the prevention, control and abatement of nuisances detrimental to the public health;

(6) Make such reports to the state board of health through the local health officer or the administrative officer as the state board of health may require; and

(7) Establish fee schedules for issuing or renewing licenses or permits or for such other services as are authorized by the law and the rules of the state board of health: PROVIDED, That such fees for services shall not exceed the actual cost of providing any such services.

Sec. 4.  RCW 70.05.070 and 2013 c 200 s 26 are each amended to read as follows:

Except as provided for in section 5 of this act, the local health officer, acting under the direction of the local board of health or under direction of the administrative officer appointed under RCW 70.05.040 or 70.05.035, if any, shall:

(1) Enforce the public health statutes of the state, rules of the state board of health and the secretary of health, and all local health rules, regulations and ordinances within his or her jurisdiction including imposition of penalties authorized under RCW 70.119A.030 and 70.118.130, the confidentiality provisions in RCW 70.02.220 and rules adopted to implement those provisions, and filing of actions authorized by RCW 43.70.190;

(2) Take such action as is necessary to maintain health and sanitation supervision over the territory within his or her jurisdiction;

(3) Control and prevent the spread of any dangerous, contagious or infectious diseases that may occur within his or her jurisdiction;

(4) Inform the public as to the causes, nature, and prevention of disease and disability and the preservation, promotion and improvement of health within his or her jurisdiction;

(5) Prevent, control or abate nuisances which are detrimental to the public health;

(6) Attend all conferences called by the secretary of health or his or her authorized representative;

(7) Collect such fees as are established by the state board of health or the local board of health for the issuance or renewal of licenses or permits or such other fees as may be authorized by law or by the rules of the state board of health;

(8) Inspect, as necessary, expansion or modification of existing public water systems, and the construction of new public water systems, to assure that the expansion, modification, or construction conforms to system design and plans;

(9) Take such measures as he or she deems necessary in order to promote the public health, to participate in the establishment of health educational or training activities, and to authorize the attendance of employees of the local health department or individuals engaged in community health programs related to or part of the programs of the local health department.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5.  A new section is added to chapter 70.05 RCW to read as follows:

(1) The state of Washington fully occupies and preempts the entire field of safe injection site regulation within the boundaries of the state, including the registration, licensing, possession, purchase, sale, acquisition, transfer, use, authorization, or any other element relating to safe injection sites. Cities, towns, and counties or other municipalities may only enact laws and ordinances relating to safe injection sites that are specifically authorized by state law and are consistent with this chapter. Such local ordinances have the same penalty as provided for by state law. Local laws and ordinances that are inconsistent with, more restrictive than, or exceed the requirements of state law may not be enacted and are preempted and repealed, regardless of the nature of the code, charter, or home rule status of the enacting city, town, county, or municipality.

(2) Each local health board must provide annual certification to the legislature and state board of health that no private or public safe injection sites are operating in its local health department jurisdiction.

Sec. 6.  RCW 70.05.130 and 1993 c 492 s 242 are each amended to read as follows:

All expenses incurred by the state, health district, or county in carrying out the provisions of chapters 70.05 and 70.46 RCW or any other public health law, or the rules of the department of health enacted under such laws, shall be paid by the county and such expenses shall constitute a claim against the general fund as provided in this section. Any expenditure made related to safe injection sites voids any claim made against the general fund and will result in the denial of all funding claims until the state, health district, or county is able to certify and report to the state board of health and legislature that there are no safe injection sites operating within its jurisdiction.

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