(Effective August 1, 2023)

PDFWAC 246-366A-190

Complaints.

(1) School officials shall establish a written complaint process, if such a written process does not already exist. The complaint process must clearly describe the means for a person to file a written complaint concerning failure to comply with a provision of these rules that jeopardizes the health and safety of students. At a minimum, the process shall provide for:
(a) Promptly investigating all complaints;
(b) Correcting conditions not in compliance with these rules within an appropriate time frame given the level of risk to health and safety;
(c) Providing notification for imminent health hazards in accordance with WAC 246-366A-020;
(d) Promptly communicating with the complainant regarding the outcome of the investigation, and the actions and time frame proposed to address any verified conditions not in compliance with these rules; and
(e) Communicating with the local health officer about the outcome of complaint investigations referred to school officials by the local health officer.
(2) The local health officer who receives a complaint concerning failure to comply with a provision of these rules that jeopardizes the health and safety of students shall:
(a) Promptly inform school officials that a complaint was filed with the local health officer;
(b) Conduct a preliminary inquiry to determine if an imminent health hazard exists;
(c) Investigate the complaint in consultation with school officials if an imminent health hazard exists;
(d) Either refer the complaint to school officials or investigate the complaint in consultation with school officials if an imminent health hazard does not appear to exist; and
(e) Communicate with the complainant about the outcome of the complaint investigation.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. WSR 10-01-174, 10-12-018, 11-10-080, 13-09-040, 15-09-070, 17-14-055, 19-14-107, 21-14-056, and 22-14-021, § 246-366A-190, filed 12/22/09, 5/21/10, 5/3/11, 4/11/13, 4/15/15, 6/28/17, 7/2/19, 7/1/21, and 6/24/22, effective 8/1/23.]