WSR 20-23-097
PROPOSED RULES
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
[Filed November 17, 2020, 4:20 p.m.]
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 20-07-021.
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Chapter 246-492 WAC, Vital statistics data release, the department of health (department) is proposing to create a new chapter of rules for data requests by government agencies, tribes, researchers, entities, and individuals for assessment, public health surveillance, and epidemiological study. The proposed rules prescribe the direct and indirect identifiers for birth and fetal death records; establish a formalized procedure for requesting vital records data; and establish fees for data files, analysis, and data requests.
Hearing Location(s): On December 22, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. In response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) public health emergency, the department of health (DOH) will not provide a physical location for this hearing. This helps promote social distancing and the safety of the citizens of Washington state. A virtual public hearing, without a physical meeting space, will be held instead. Please register for the hearing at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2793704426015367179. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Date of Intended Adoption: December 29, 2020.
Submit Written Comments to: Katitza Holthaus, DOH, Center for Health Statistics, P.O. Box 47814, Olympia, WA 98504, email https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/policyreview, fax 360-753-4135, by December 22, 2020.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Katitza Holthaus, phone 360-236-4311, TTY 711, email katitza.holthaus@doh.wa.gov, by December 15, 2020.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The proposed rules create a new chapter of rule to prescribe the direct and indirect identifiers for birth and fetal death records that the department will use to disclose vital records information to researchers, government agencies conducting nonresearch public health work, and the public; establish a formalized procedure for requesting vital records data; and establish fees for data files, analysis, and data requests.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: In 2019, the Washington state legislature passed ESSB 5332, enacting chapter 70.58A RCW and replacing chapter 70.58 RCW. The bill's intent is to increase the security of birth and death records and to reduce identity theft and prevent fraud, while maintaining access to vital records data to government agencies, researchers, private entities and individuals for assessment, public health surveillance, and epidemiological study. Chapter 70.58A RCW directs the department to release: (1) Birth and fetal death record data with direct identifiers for research purposes with approval of the Washington state institutional review board (WSIRB); (2) birth and fetal death record data with direct identifiers to government agencies and tribal governments for nonresearch public health work by signing a data sharing agreement; (3) birth and fetal death data with indirect identifiers to anyone by signing a data sharing agreement; and (4) death data to anyone by signing a data sharing agreement. The statute requires the department to adopt rules necessary to carry out the responsibilities of the law.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: ESSB 5332 (chapter 148, Laws of 2019), enacting chapter 70.58A RCW.
Statute Being Implemented: Chapter 70.58A RCW.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Name of Proponent: DOH, governmental.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Katitza Holthaus, 101 Israel Road S.E., Tumwater, WA 98501, 360-236-4311; Implementation: Katie Hutchinson, 101 Israel Road S.E., Tumwater, WA 98501, 360-236-4324; and Enforcement: Jean Remsbecker, 101 Israel Road S.E., Tumwater, WA 98501, 360-236-4307.
A school district fiscal impact statement is not required under RCW 28A.305.135.
A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. By definition under RCW 34.05.328 (5)(c)(iii), the proposed rule does not qualify as a significant rule. The proposed rule prescribes the direct and indirect identifiers for birth and fetal death records and establishes a formalized procedure for requesting vital records data. In addition, WAC 246-492-990 is exempt under RCW 34.05.328 (5)(b)(vi). The procedure for requesting vital records data is exempt under RCW 34.05.328 (5)(c)(i).
This rule proposal, or portions of the proposal, is exempt from requirements of the Regulatory Fairness Act because the proposal:
Is exempt under RCW 19.85.025(3) as the rule content is explicitly and specifically dictated by statute; and rules set or adjust fees under the authority of RCW 19.02.075 or that set or adjust fees or rates pursuant to legislative standards, including fees set or adjusted under the authority of RCW 19.80.045.
Explanation of exemptions: The statute dictates what vital records data can be released to whom and the proposed rule complies with the requirements set by chapter 70.58A RCW. The proposed rule does not impose more stringent requirements on private entities than on public entities. It prescribes the direct and indirect identifiers for birth and fetal death records and establishes a formalized procedure for requesting vital records data. WAC 246-492-990 is exempt under RCW 34.05.310 (4)(f). The procedure for requesting vital records data is exempt under RCW 34.05.310 (4)(e).
November 16, 2020
Jessica Todorovich
Chief of Staff
for John Wiesman, DrPH, MPH
Secretary
Chapter 246-492 WAC
VITAL STATISTICS DATA RELEASE
NEW SECTION
WAC 246-492-001Vital statistics data releasePurpose and scope.
Vital records data is used by government agencies, tribes, researchers, private entities, and individuals for assessment, public health surveillance, and epidemiological study. The rules in this chapter provide the requirements for requesting vital records data from the department.
(1) The rules establish the following:
(a) Application submission requirements;
(b) Process for agency to approve or deny requests;
(c) Direct and indirect identifiers for birth and fetal death records; and
(d) Fees for data files, analysis, and data requests.
(2) The rules in this chapter do not address the process to request certificates or informational copies of vital records, which has been promulgated in chapter 246-491 WAC.
NEW SECTION
WAC 246-492-010Definitions.
The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise:
(1) "Analytic services" means a service provided by the department that includes working with vital records data in order to disseminate requested information to customers. This service includes, but is not limited to, data analysis for calculating and providing specific counts, rates, and other statistics; building and distributing aggregate reports; linkage of data; and producing record level data files and subsets of data files for customers.
(2) "Custom data request" means a specialized vital records data request or data file created and released by the department. Custom data request does not mean standard data file.
(3) "Data" means a data file containing multiple records.
(4) "Department" means the department of health.
(5) "Direct identifier" means a single data element that identifies an individual person.
(6) "Fetal death" means any product of conception that shows no evidence of life, such as breathing, beating of the heart, pulsation of the umbilical cord, or definite movement of voluntary muscles after complete expulsion or extraction from the individual who gave birth that is not an induced termination of pregnancy and:
(a) Has completed twenty or more weeks of gestation as calculated from the date the last menstrual period of the individual who gave birth began, to the date of expulsion or extraction; or
(b) Weighs three hundred fifty grams or more, if weeks of gestation are not known.
(7) "General data inquiry request" means a request for information that can be answered with use of vital records data, but without the need for extensive investigation, analysis, report building or data file production.
(8) "Government agencies" includes state boards, commissions, committees, departments, educational institutions, or other state agencies which are created by or pursuant to statute, other than courts and the legislature; county or city agencies, United States federal agencies, and federally recognized tribes and tribal organizations.
(9) "Human research review board" is a standing institutional review board operating under chapter 42.48 RCW.
(10) "Indirect identifier" means a single data element that on its own does not identify an individual person, but when combined with other indirect identifiers can be used to identify an individual person.
(11) "Individual" means a natural person.
(12) "Infant death" means a death of a child under one year of age.
(13) "Public health purpose" means a purpose that seeks to support or evaluate public health activities, which include, but are not limited to, health surveillance; identifying population health trends; health assessments; implementing educational programs; program evaluation; developing and implementing policies; determining needs for access to services and administering services; creating emergency response plans; promoting healthy lifestyles; and preventing, detecting, and responding to infectious diseases, injury, and chronic and inheritable conditions. Public health purpose does not include research as defined in this section.
(14) "Research" means a systematic investigation, including research development, testing, and evaluation, designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge. Activities that meet this definition constitute research for purposes of this policy, whether or not they are conducted or supported under a program that is considered research for other purposes.
(15) "Secretary" means the secretary of the department of health.
(16) "Standard data file" means routine statewide vital records data created and released by the department. Standard data file does not mean specialized custom data requests and data files.
(17) "State" means Washington state unless otherwise specified.
(18) "State registrar" means the person appointed by the secretary to administer the vital records system under RCW 70.58A.030.
(19) "Vital record" or "record" means a report of a vital life event that has been registered and supporting documentation.
(20) "Vital statistics" means the aggregated data derived from vital records, including related reports, and supporting documentation.
NEW SECTION
WAC 246-492-020Direct and indirect identifiers.
(1) The department may disclose vital records information for persons named in any birth, death, or fetal death record in accordance with chapter 70.58A RCW and this chapter.
(2) The department may aggregate data from birth and fetal death records, and may release such aggregated data with either direct identifiers or indirect identifiers, or both, in accordance with chapter 70.58A RCW and this chapter.
(3) Birth record direct and indirect identifiers are as follows:
Birth Record Item
Direct or Indirect Identifier
Child Name
Direct Identifier
Child Date of Birth
Indirect Identifier
Child Time of Birth
Indirect Identifier
Child Sex
Indirect Identifier
Type of Birthplace
Indirect Identifier
Planned Birthplace, if different
Indirect Identifier
Name of Facility
Direct Identifier
County of Birth
Indirect Identifier
City of Birth
Indirect Identifier
Mother/Parent Name
Direct Identifier
Mother/Parent Date of Birth
Indirect Identifier
Mother/Parent Birthplace
Indirect Identifier
Mother/Parent Social Security Number
Direct Identifier
Do you want to get a Social Security Number for your child?
Indirect Identifier
Mother/Parent Residence: Number and Street
Direct Identifier
Mother/Parent Residence: City/County
Indirect Identifier
Mother/Parent Residence: Country
Indirect Identifier
Mother/Parent Residence: State
Indirect Identifier
Mother/Parent Residence: Zip Code
Indirect Identifier
Mother/Parent Tribal Reservation
Indirect Identifier
Mother/Parent Residence Inside City Limits?
Indirect Identifier
Mother/Parent Length at Current Residence
Indirect Identifier
Mother/Parent Telephone Number
Direct Identifier
Mother/Parent Mailing Address: Number and Street
Direct Identifier
Mother/Parent Mailing Address: Country
Indirect Identifier
Mother/Parent Mailing Address: State
Indirect Identifier
Mother/Parent Mailing Address: City
Indirect Identifier
Mother/Parent Mailing Address: Zip Code
Indirect Identifier
Mother/Parent Occupation
Indirect Identifier
Mother/Parent Industry
Indirect Identifier
Mother/Parent Education Level
Indirect Identifier
Mother/Parent Hispanic Origin?
Indirect Identifier
Mother/Parent Race
Indirect Identifier
Mother/Parent Current Height
Indirect Identifier
Mother/Parent Prepregnancy Weight
Indirect Identifier
Were WIC benefits utilized during pregnancy?
Indirect Identifier
Cigarette Smoking Before and During Pregnancy
Indirect Identifier
Mother/Parent Marital Status
Indirect Identifier
Father/Parent Name
Direct Identifier
Father/Parent Date of Birth
Indirect Identifier
Father/Parent Birthplace
Indirect Identifier
Father/Parent Social Security Number
Direct Identifier
Father/Parent Occupation
Indirect Identifier
Father/Parent Industry
Indirect Identifier
Father/Parent Education Level
Indirect Identifier
Father/Parent Hispanic Origin?
Indirect Identifier
Father/Parent Race
Indirect Identifier
Date of First Prenatal Care Visit
Indirect Identifier
Date of Last Prenatal Care Visit
Indirect Identifier
Total Number of Prenatal Visits During Pregnancy
Indirect Identifier
Number of Previous Live Births
Indirect Identifier
Date of Last Live Birth
Indirect Identifier
Number of Pregnancy Outcomes
Indirect Identifier
Date of Last Other Pregnancy Outcomes
Indirect Identifier
Date Last Normal Menses Began
Indirect Identifier
Mother/Parent Weight at Delivery
Indirect Identifier
Was mother/parent transferred to higher level care for maternal medical or fetal indications for delivery?
Indirect Identifier
Principle Source of Payment for Delivery
Indirect Identifier
Birth Weight
Indirect Identifier
Infant Head Circumference
Indirect Identifier
Obstetric Estimate of Gestation
Indirect Identifier
Apgar Score
Indirect Identifier
Plurality
Indirect Identifier
Birth Order
Indirect Identifier
Was infant transferred within 24 hours of delivery?
Indirect Identifier
Is infant living at the time of report?
Indirect Identifier
Is infant being breastfed?
Indirect Identifier
Risk Factors in this Pregnancy
Indirect Identifier
Infections Present and/or Treated During Pregnancy
Indirect Identifier
Maternal Morbidity
Indirect Identifier
Method of Delivery
Indirect Identifier
Obstetric Procedures
Indirect Identifier
Onset of Labor
Indirect Identifier
Characteristics of Labor and Delivery
Indirect Identifier
Abnormal Conditions of the Newborn
Indirect Identifier
Congenital Anomalies of the Newborn
Indirect Identifier
Attendant Name
Direct Identifier
Attendant Title
Indirect Identifier
NPI of person delivering the baby
Direct Identifier
Certifier Name
Direct Identifier
Certifier Title
Indirect Identifier
Date Certified
Indirect Identifier
(4) Fetal death record direct and indirect identifiers are as follows:
Fetal Death Record Item
Direct or Indirect Identifier
Fetus Name
Direct Identifier
Fetus Sex
Indirect Identifier
Fetus Date of Delivery
Indirect Identifier
Fetus Time of Delivery
Indirect Identifier
Type of Birthplace
Indirect Identifier
Name of Facility
Direct Identifier
Facility ID
Indirect Identifier
Location of Delivery
Direct Identifier
Zip Code of Delivery
Indirect Identifier
County of Delivery
Indirect Identifier
Mother/Parent Name
Direct Identifier
Mother/Parent Date of Birth
Indirect Identifier
Mother/Parent Birthplace
Indirect Identifier
Mother/Parent Residence: Number and Street
Direct Identifier
Mother/Parent Residence: City/County
Indirect Identifier
Mother/Parent Residence: Country
Indirect Identifier
Mother/Parent Residence: State
Indirect Identifier
Mother/Parent Residence: Zip Code
Indirect Identifier
Mother/Parent Tribal Reservation
Indirect Identifier
Mother/Parent Residence Inside City Limits?
Indirect Identifier
Mother/Parent Length at Current Residence
Indirect Identifier
Father/Parent Name
Direct Identifier
Father/Parent Date of Birth
Indirect Identifier
Father/Parent Birthplace
Indirect Identifier
Name of Person Completing Cause of Death
Direct Identifier
Title of Person Completing Cause of Death
Indirect Identifier
Date Signed by Person Completing Cause of Death
Indirect Identifier
Name of Person Delivering Fetus
Direct Identifier
Title of Person Delivering Fetus
Indirect Identifier
NPI of Person Delivering Fetus
Direct Identifier
Method of Disposition
Indirect Identifier
Date of Disposition
Indirect Identifier
Place of Disposition
Indirect Identifier
Location of Disposition
Indirect Identifier
Name of Funeral Facility
Indirect Identifier
Address of Funeral Facility
Indirect Identifier
Initiating Cause/Condition
Indirect Identifier
Other Significant Causes or Conditions
Indirect Identifier
Estimated Time of Fetal Death
Indirect Identifier
Was an autopsy performed?
Indirect Identifier
Was a histological placental examination performed?
Indirect Identifier
Were autopsy or histological placental examination results used in determining the cause of death?
Indirect Identifier
Date Received by County Registrar
Indirect Identifier
Weight of Fetus
Indirect Identifier
Obstetric Estimate of Gestation
Indirect Identifier
Plurality
Indirect Identifier
Birth Order
Indirect Identifier
Mother/Parent Education
Indirect Identifier
Mother/Parent of Hispanic Origin?
Indirect Identifier
Mother/Parent Race
Indirect Identifier
Mother/Parent Occupation
Indirect Identifier
Mother/Parent Industry
Indirect Identifier
Mother/Parent Marital Status
Indirect Identifier
Mother/Parent Height
Indirect Identifier
Did mother/parent get WIC food for herself during this pregnancy?
Indirect Identifier
Mother/Parent Prepregnancy Weight
Indirect Identifier
Mother/Parent Weight at Delivery
Indirect Identifier
Date Last Normal Menses Began
Indirect Identifier
Date of First Prenatal Care Visit
Indirect Identifier
Date of Last Prenatal Care Visit
Indirect Identifier
Total Number of Prenatal Visits for this Pregnancy
Indirect Identifier
Number of Previous Live Births
Indirect Identifier
Number of other Pregnancy Outcomes
Indirect Identifier
Cigarette Smoking Before and During Pregnancy
Indirect Identifier
Was mother transferred to higher level care for maternal medical or fetal indications for delivery?
Indirect Identifier
Father/Parent Education
Indirect Identifier
Father/Parent Hispanic Origin
Indirect Identifier
Father/Parent Race
Indirect Identifier
Father/Parent Occupation
Indirect Identifier
Father/Parent Industry
Indirect Identifier
Risk Factors in this Pregnancy
Indirect Identifier
Method of Delivery
Indirect Identifier
Congenital Anomalies of the Fetus
Indirect Identifier
Maternal Morbidity
Indirect Identifier
Infections Present and/or Treated During this Pregnancy
Indirect Identifier
(5) The department may release data files linked with birth or fetal death record items. When data files are released by the department in a form or format that is linked with birth or fetal death data, the linked data will be treated with the same restrictions as the most restrictive record item in the linked birth and fetal death data files.
(6) The department may calculate additional data items from the birth or fetal death record items listed in subsections (3) and (4) of this section. These calculated data items shall maintain the same direct or indirect identifier categorization as the most restrictive record items listed in subsections (3) and (4) of this section from which the department derived the additional calculated data.
(7) The department may deidentify birth or fetal death record items listed in subsections (3) and (4) of this section that are direct identifiers. The department may release such deidentified items as an indirect identifier.
(8) The department may limit or restrict the release of vital record items in data files to maintain confidentiality standards and protect the information for persons named in any birth, death, or fetal death record.
NEW SECTION
WAC 246-492-100Requests for birth or fetal death record data that contains direct identifiers for research purposes.
(1) A researcher requesting birth or fetal death record data that contains direct identifiers for research purposes must comply with the requirements of chapter 70.58A RCW and this section. The department will not release data to a researcher requesting data from the department until all the requirements of this section have been completed to the satisfaction of the state registrar.
(2) A researcher submitting a data request under this section must submit all of the following to the department:
(a) A completed records request form associated with the human research review board application that contains all the information required in subsection (3) of this section;
(b) Approval from the human research review board of the research proposal for which the data is being requested;
(c) A signed confidentiality agreement with the department; and
(d) All fees required by WAC 246-492-990.
(3) A researcher submitting a data request under this section must submit all of the following information on the records request form provided by the human research review board to the state registrar for review and approval:
(a) Project title;
(b) Principal investigator name, title, and contact information (telephone number and email address);
(c) Study abstract that includes:
(i) Description of the proposed research study and objectives;
(ii) Research study design and analysis plan;
(iii) Duration of research study;
(iv) The plan for dissemination of the results and a certification that the researcher will abide by the department's small numbers guidelines in the dissemination of results; and
(v) A plan for the return or destruction of the information at the conclusion of the research study.
(d) Vital records data elements needed to complete the research study;
(e) Years of the requested data; and
(f) Geographic area of interest of the research study.
(4) The state registrar may request additional information regarding the research proposal. If additional information is requested, the researcher must submit the information within thirty days of the state registrar's request or the request for data may be denied.
(5) If the researcher submitting a data request under this section receives an exempt determination letter from the human research review board, the researcher may:
(a) If the researcher is a governmental agency and will use the data for a public health purpose, comply with the provisions of WAC 246-492-200; or
(b) Submit a request to receive data pursuant to WAC 246-492-300.
(6) The state registrar may deny a request for data for research purposes if the researcher submitting a data request under this section fails to meet the requirements of this section or chapter 70.58A RCW, or for the reasons permitted by chapter 70.58A RCW. If the state registrar denies a request under this section, the researcher may appeal the decision by requesting a brief adjudicative proceeding pursuant to WAC 246-10-501 through 246-10-505, and RCW 70.58A.550.
NEW SECTION
WAC 246-492-200Requests from government agencies for birth and fetal death record data that contains direct identifiers for nonresearch public health purposes.
(1) A government agency requesting birth and fetal death record data that contains direct identifiers for nonresearch public health purposes must comply with the requirements of chapter 70.58A RCW and this section. The department will not release data to a government agency requesting data from the department pursuant to this section until all the requirements of this section have been completed to the satisfaction of the state registrar.
(2) A government agency submitting a data request under this section from the department for nonresearch public health purposes must submit all of the following to the department in the form or format required by the state registrar:
(a) A completed application on the form provided by the department;
(b) A signed data sharing agreement with the department that conforms with WAC 246-492-400;
(c) All information required in subsection (3) of this section; and
(d) All fees required by WAC 246-492-990.
(3) A government agency submitting a data request under this section from the department for nonresearch public health purposes must submit to the state registrar all of the following information:
(a) Name, title, organizational affiliation, and contact information (mailing address, telephone number, and email address) of the requestor, the organization official authorized to execute agreements, the organization information technology security officer, and organization privacy officer;
(b) Purpose or intended use of the data being requested;
(c) Justification of how the purpose or intended use of the data meets the definition of a public health purpose;
(d) Length of time and frequency of the data being requested;
(e) State if any contact with subjects is proposed, provide justification of why and how this achieves the public health purpose, and the methods that will be used for contacting subjects;
(f) Physical and electronic security measures to be taken to assure confidentiality and security of identifying information, including stored information;
(g) Provision for return or destruction of the information at the conclusion of use;
(h) Geographic area of interest;
(i) Names and titles of all persons who will have access to the data;
(j) The plan for use of the data and certification to abide by the department's small numbers guidelines;
(k) Vital records data elements needed to achieve the public health purpose; and
(l) Years of the requested data.
(4) The state registrar may request additional information regarding the request for birth and fetal death record data for public health purposes. If additional information is requested, the government agency must submit the information within thirty days of the state registrar's request or the request for data may be denied.
(5) If the state registrar determines the request for data submitted pursuant to this section is in fact for research purposes, the state registrar will require the government agency to comply with the provisions of WAC 246-492-100.
(6) If the state registrar suspects or is unsure if the request for data submitted pursuant to this section is for research purposes, the state registrar may require the government agency to comply with the provisions of WAC 246-492-100.
(7) The state registrar may deny a request for data for nonresearch public health purposes if the government agency fails to meet the requirements of this section or chapter 70.58A RCW, or for the reasons permitted by chapter 70.58A RCW. If the state registrar denies a request under this section, the government agency may appeal the decision by requesting a brief adjudicative proceeding pursuant to WAC 246-10-501 through 246-10-505, and RCW 70.58A.550.
NEW SECTION
WAC 246-492-300Requests from individuals or entities for birth and fetal death data that contains indirect identifiers, infant death data, death data, or marriage and divorce data.
(1) This section applies to the following data requests:
(a) Birth and fetal death data that contains only indirect identifiers;
(b) Infant death data that contains indirect identifiers;
(c) Death data files; and
(d) Marriage and divorce data files.
(2) All requests for data under this section must comply with the requirements of chapter 70.58A RCW and this section. The department will not release data to an individual or entity requesting data from the department pursuant to this section until all the requirements of this section have been completed to the satisfaction of the state registrar.
(3) The data released pursuant to this section will only be in the data file format prescribed by the state registrar.
(4) An individual or entity submitting a data request under this section must submit all of the following on the form or in the format required by the state registrar:
(a) A completed application on the form provided by the department;
(b) A signed data sharing agreement with the department that conforms with WAC 246-492-400;
(c) All information required in subsection (5) of this section; and
(d) All fees required by WAC 246-492-990.
(5) An individual or entity submitting a data request under this section must submit all of the following information to the state registrar:
(a) Name, title, organizational affiliation, and contact information (mailing address, telephone number, and email address) of the requestor, the organization official authorized to execute agreements, the organization information technology security officer, and the organization privacy officer;
(b) Purpose or intended use of the data being requested;
(c) Length of time data is needed or length of the project;
(d) For requests of death, marriage, or divorce data only: State if any contact with subjects is proposed and provide justification why;
(e) Physical and electronic security measures to be taken to assure confidentiality and security of identifying information including storage of data, and provision for return or destruction of the information at the conclusion of use;
(f) Geographic area of interest;
(g) Names and titles of all persons who will have access to the data;
(h) The plan for dissemination of the results and certification to abide by the department's small numbers guidelines; and
(i) Type of vital records data and years requested.
(6) The state registrar may request additional information regarding the request for data under this section. If additional information is requested, the individual or entity must submit the information within thirty days of the state registrar's request or the request for data may be denied.
(7) The individual or entity must download the data from the secured file transfer site within two weeks. If after the two weeks, the individual or entity must submit a new request and payment.
(8) The state registrar may permit the local deputy registrar to release death data to a requesting entity in a format prescribed by the state registrar upon a signed data sharing agreement with the department. A local deputy registrar permitted by the state registrar to release death data shall require the entity receiving the death data from the local deputy registrar to sign a data sharing agreement with the local deputy registrar. The local deputy registrar can only release the following information:
(a) Decedent's name;
(b) Date of death;
(c) Date of birth;
(d) Date filed;
(e) Age of decedent;
(f) Gender of decedent;
(g) Decedent's residence city and state; and
(h) County of death.
(9) The state registrar may deny a request if the individual or entity fails to meet the requirements of this section or chapter 70.58A RCW, or for reasons permitted by chapter 70.58A RCW. If the state registrar denies a request under this section, the individual or entity may appeal the decision by requesting a brief adjudicative proceeding pursuant to WAC 246-10-501 through 246-10-505, and RCW 70.58A.550.
NEW SECTION
WAC 246-492-400Vital statistics data sharing agreements.
(1) All written data sharing agreements with the department for the release of vital records data must comply with the requirements of chapter 70.58A RCW and this section.
(2) A data sharing agreement with the department is required for the following:
(a) Government agencies requesting birth and fetal death record data that contains direct identifiers for nonresearch public health purposes;
(b) Individuals or entities requesting birth and fetal death record data that contains only indirect identifiers;
(c) Individuals or entities requesting infant death data that contains indirect identifiers;
(d) Individuals or entities requesting death, marriage, or divorce record data; and
(e) Government agencies requesting vital records in the conduct of official duties as permitted by chapter 70.58A RCW.
(3) The department may use standard form data sharing agreements for all data requests, consistent with the provisions of this section and chapter 70.58A RCW. If the department elects to use a standard form data sharing agreement for data requests, the requestor shall sign the standard form data sharing agreement prepared by the department pursuant to this subsection. The department will not negotiate the terms of standard form data sharing agreements with a requestor, except for circumstances in subsection (4) of this section.
(4) For data sharing agreements with government agencies, the department may deviate from the standard form data sharing agreement if the government agency is legally prohibited from signing provisions of the standard form data sharing agreement due to constitutional or other statutory provisions. The ultimate decision to modify the standard form data sharing agreement to accommodate a government agency's data request lies solely with the department. The government agency wishing to modify a term of the standard form data sharing agreement under this subsection must submit all of the following to the department in writing:
(a) All of the specific terms of the standard form data sharing agreement that the government agency is legally prohibited from complying with;
(b) An explanation of why the government agency is legally prohibited from complying with the term or terms; and
(c) Citation to the law or rule that prohibits it from complying with the term or terms of the standard form data sharing agreement.
(5) An individual or entity requesting vital records data under this section must comply with all the terms and conditions of the data sharing agreement. If the individual or entity violates the data sharing agreement, then the individual or entity may be guilty of a misdemeanor under RCW 70.58A.590(1), will result in the immediate termination of the data sharing agreement, and result in denial of vital records data in the future.
NEW SECTION
WAC 246-492-500Data file production.
(1) The department retains the discretion to determine what form or format is most appropriate to provide to a particular requestor. Where the department provides data files on a routine schedule, the department may automate file production. The department may manually produce data files when deemed appropriate by the state registrar. Nothing in this chapter should be deemed to entitle any requestor to receive data in a particular form or format, and nothing in this chapter should be deemed to require the state registrar to produce the data in a particular form or format.
(2) Where the department provides data files on a routine schedule, the department may, in the discretion of the state registrar, allow a requestor to update their original data request with the department. If the department permits a requestor to update their data request, the requestor must pay the fee required by WAC 246-492-990(5).
NEW SECTION
WAC 246-492-990Vital statistics data fees.
(1) The department shall collect nonrefundable fees as follows:
(a) Three hundred fifty dollars per standard data file;
(b) Two hundred dollar flat fee for up to two hours of analytic services or general data inquiry requests;
(c) Any analytic services or general data inquiry requests that exceed two hours, in addition to subsection (1)(b) of this section, will be charged an hourly fee of one hundred dollars; and
(d) Fifty dollars per standard data file for students with proof of valid student status.
(2) For custom data file requests, the department shall collect nonrefundable fees as follows:
(a) Three hundred fifty dollars per data file; and
(b) One hundred dollars per hour to create the custom data file.
(3) For data requests where data files are provided on a routine schedule, the department shall collect nonrefundable fees as follows:
(a) A one-time initial automation program creation fee of one thousand five hundred dollars;
(b) One hundred seventy-five dollars per data file; and
(c) An annual maintenance fee of one thousand five hundred dollars.
(4) For existing data requests with an established automation program in existence at the time of the adoption of the rule, the department may waive the initial automation program creation fee of one thousand five hundred dollars in subsection (3)(a) of this section.
(5) Updates to data requests allowed by WAC 246-492-500(2) will be assessed a fee by the department equivalent to the actual costs incurred by the department in order to update the data request.
(6) The department, at the discretion of the state registrar, may waive fees for data requests for the following:
(a) Requests from state legislators or legislative staff;
(b) Local health jurisdictions receiving standard data files prescribed by the state registrar;
(c) Tribes, tribal organizations within the state, and Indian health service designated tribal epidemiology centers serving tribes within the state, receiving standard data files prescribed by the state registrar; and
(d) Government agencies during a state of emergency, if the data is used for official duties to aid the state of emergency response.