BILL REQ. #:  S-0338.2 

Read first time 01/20/09.   Referred to Committee on Government Operations & Elections.

     AN ACT Relating to the unanimous recommendations of the public records exemptions accountability committee; amending RCW 70.05.170, 42.56.380, 42.56.360, 41.04.362, 28C.18.020, 79A.25.150, 42.56.330, and 42.56.250; adding a new section to chapter 42.56 RCW; and repealing RCW 41.04.364.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 70.05.170 and 1993 c 41 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1)(a) The legislature finds that the mortality rate in Washington state among infants and children less than eighteen years of age is unacceptably high, and that such mortality may be preventable. The legislature further finds that, through the performance of child mortality reviews, preventable causes of child mortality can be identified and addressed, thereby reducing the infant and child mortality in Washington state.
     (b) It is the intent of the legislature to encourage the performance of child death reviews by local health departments by providing necessary legal protections to the families of children whose deaths are studied, local health department officials and employees, and health care professionals participating in child mortality review committee activities.
     (2) As used in this section, "child mortality review" means a process authorized by a local health department as such department is defined in RCW 70.05.010 for examining factors that contribute to deaths of children less than eighteen years of age. The process may include a systematic review of medical, clinical, and hospital records; home interviews of parents and caretakers of children who have died; analysis of individual case information; and review of this information by a team of professionals in order to identify modifiable medical, socioeconomic, public health, behavioral, administrative, educational, and environmental factors associated with each death.
     (3) Local health departments are authorized to conduct child mortality reviews. In conducting such reviews, the following provisions shall apply:
     (a) ((All medical records, reports, and statements procured by, furnished to, or maintained by a local health department pursuant to chapter 70.02 RCW for purposes of a child mortality review are confidential insofar as the identity of an individual child and his or her adoptive or natural parents is concerned. Such records may be used solely by local health departments for the purposes of the review. This section does not prevent a local health department from publishing statistical compilations and reports related to the child mortality review, if such compilations and reports do not identify individual cases and sources of information.
     (b) Any records or documents supplied or maintained for the purposes of a child mortality review are not subject to discovery or subpoena in any administrative, civil, or criminal proceeding related to the death of a child reviewed. This provision shall not restrict or limit the discovery or subpoena from a health care provider of records or documents maintained by such health care provider in the ordinary course of business, whether or not such records or documents may have been supplied to a local health department pursuant to this section.
     (c) Any summaries or analyses of records, documents, or records of interviews prepared exclusively for purposes of a child mortality review are not subject to discovery, subpoena, or introduction into evidence in any administrative, civil, or criminal proceeding related to the death of a child reviewed.)) All health care information collected as part of a child mortality review is confidential, subject to the restrictions on disclosure provided for in chapter 70.02 RCW. When documents are collected as part of a child mortality review, the records may be used solely by local health departments for the purposes of the review;
     (b) No identifying information related to the deceased child, the child's guardians, or anyone interviewed as part of the child mortality review may be disclosed. Any such information shall be redacted from any records produced as part of the review;
     (c) Any witness statements or documents collected from witnesses, or summaries or analyses of those statements or records prepared exclusively for purposes of a child mortality review, are not subject to public disclosure, discovery, subpoena, or introduction into evidence in any administrative, civil, or criminal proceeding related to the death of a child reviewed. This provision does not restrict or limit the discovery or subpoena from a health care provider of records or documents maintained by such health care provider in the ordinary course of business, whether or not such records or documents may have been supplied to a local health department pursuant to this section. This provision shall not restrict or limit the discovery or subpoena of documents from such witnesses simply because a copy of a document was collected as part of a child mortality review;
     (d) No local health department official or employee, and no members of technical committees established to perform case reviews of selected child deaths may be examined in any administrative, civil, or criminal proceeding as to the existence or contents of documents assembled, prepared, or maintained for purposes of a child mortality review.
     (((e))) (4) This section shall not be construed to prohibit or restrict any person from reporting suspected child abuse or neglect under chapter 26.44 RCW nor to limit access to or use of any records, documents, information, or testimony in any civil or criminal action arising out of any report made pursuant to chapter 26.44 RCW.
     (5) This section does not prevent a local health department from publishing statistical compilations and reports related to the child mortality review. Any portions of such compilations and reports that identify individual cases and sources of information must be redacted.

Sec. 2   RCW 42.56.380 and 2007 c 177 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     The following information relating to agriculture and livestock is exempt from disclosure under this chapter:
     (1) Business-related information under RCW 15.86.110;
     (2) Information provided under RCW 15.54.362;
     (3) Production or sales records required to determine assessment levels and actual assessment payments to commodity boards and commissions formed under chapters 15.24, 15.26, 15.28, 15.44, 15.65, 15.66, 15.74, 15.88, 15.100, 15.89, and 16.67 RCW or required by the department of agriculture to administer these chapters or the department's programs;
     (4) Consignment information contained on phytosanitary certificates issued by the department of agriculture under chapters 15.13, 15.49, and 15.17 RCW or federal phytosanitary certificates issued under 7 C.F.R. 353 through cooperative agreements with the animal and plant health inspection service, United States department of agriculture, or on applications for phytosanitary certification required by the department of agriculture;
     (5) Financial and commercial information and records supplied by persons (a) to the department of agriculture for the purpose of conducting a referendum for the potential establishment of a commodity board or commission; or (b) to the department of agriculture or commodity boards or commissions formed under chapter 15.24, 15.28, 15.44, 15.65, 15.66, 15.74, 15.88, 15.100, 15.89, or 16.67 RCW with respect to domestic or export marketing activities or individual producer's production information;
     (6) ((Except under RCW 15.19.080, information obtained regarding the purchases, sales, or production of an individual American ginseng grower or dealer;
     (7) Information that can be identified to a particular business and that is collected under RCW 15.17.140(2) and 15.17.143 for certificates of compliance;
     (8) Financial statements provided under RCW 16.65.030(1)(d);)) Information obtained regarding the purchases, sales, or production of an individual American ginseng grower or dealer, except for providing reports to the United States fish and wildlife service under RCW 15.19.080;
     (7) Information collected regarding packers and shippers of vegetables for the issuance of certificates of compliance under RCW 15.17.140(2) and 15.17.143;
     (8) Financial statements obtained under RCW 16.65.030(1)(d) for the purposes of determining whether or not the applicant meets the minimum net worth requirements to construct or operate a public livestock market;
     (9) Information submitted by an individual or business for the purpose of participating in a state or national animal identification system. Disclosure to local, state, and federal officials is not public disclosure. This exemption does not affect the disclosure of information used in reportable animal health investigations under chapter 16.36 RCW once they are complete; ((and))
     (10) Results of testing for animal diseases not required to be reported under chapter 16.36 RCW that is done at the request of the animal owner or his or her designee that can be identified to a particular business or individual; and
     (11) Criminal history records checks for finalist candidates for the state investment board under RCW 43.33A.025.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   A new section is added to chapter 42.56 RCW to read as follows:
     If the textual description of an exemption under this chapter conflicts with the statute that it references, the statute that it references controls.

Sec. 4   RCW 42.56.360 and 2008 c 136 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The following health care information is exempt from disclosure under this chapter:
     (a) Information obtained by the board of pharmacy as provided in RCW 69.45.090;
     (b) Information obtained by the board of pharmacy or the department of health and its representatives as provided in RCW 69.41.044, 69.41.280, and 18.64.420;
     (c) Information and documents created specifically for, and collected and maintained by a quality improvement committee under RCW 43.70.510, 70.230.080, or 70.41.200, or by a peer review committee under RCW 4.24.250, or by a quality assurance committee pursuant to RCW 74.42.640 or 18.20.390, or by a hospital, as defined in RCW 43.70.056, for reporting of health care-associated infections under RCW 43.70.056, a notification of an incident under RCW 70.56.040(5), and reports regarding adverse events under RCW 70.56.020(2)(b), regardless of which agency is in possession of the information and documents;
     (d)(i) Proprietary financial and commercial information that the submitting entity, with review by the department of health, specifically identifies at the time it is submitted and that is provided to or obtained by the department of health in connection with an application for, or the supervision of, an antitrust exemption sought by the submitting entity under RCW 43.72.310;
     (ii) If a request for such information is received, the submitting entity must be notified of the request. Within ten business days of receipt of the notice, the submitting entity shall provide a written statement of the continuing need for confidentiality, which shall be provided to the requester. Upon receipt of such notice, the department of health shall continue to treat information designated under this subsection (1)(d) as exempt from disclosure;
     (iii) If the requester initiates an action to compel disclosure under this chapter, the submitting entity must be joined as a party to demonstrate the continuing need for confidentiality;
     (e) Records of the entity obtained in an action under RCW 18.71.300 through 18.71.340;
     (f) ((Except for published statistical compilations and reports relating to the infant mortality review studies that do not identify individual cases and sources of information, any records or documents obtained, prepared, or maintained by the local health department for the purposes of an infant mortality review conducted by the department of health under RCW 70.05.170;
     (g))) Complaints filed under chapter 18.130 RCW after July 27, 1997, to the extent provided in RCW 18.130.095(1); ((and
     (h))) (g) Information obtained by the department of health under chapter 70.225 RCW; and
     (h) All documents, including completed forms, received pursuant to a wellness program under RCW 41.04.362, but not statistical reports that do not identify an individual.
     (2) Chapter 70.02 RCW applies to public inspection and copying of health care information of patients.
     (3) Documents related to infant mortality reviews conducted pursuant to RCW 70.05.170 are exempt from disclosure as provided for in RCW 70.05.170(3).

Sec. 5   RCW 41.04.362 and 1987 c 248 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) ((The)) Directors of ((the department of personnel)) state and local entities, in consultation with applicable state agencies and employee organizations, may develop and administer a voluntary state employee wellness program.
     (2) ((The)) A director may:
     (a) Develop and implement state employee wellness policies, procedures, and activities;
     (b) Disseminate wellness educational materials to ((state)) agencies and employees;
     (c) Encourage the establishment of wellness activities in ((state)) agencies;
     (d) Provide technical assistance and training to agencies conducting wellness activities for their employees;
     (e) Develop standards by which agencies sponsoring specific wellness activities may impose a fee to participating employees to help defray the cost of those activities;
     (f) Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of this program, including the collection, analysis, and publication of relevant statistical information; and
     (g) Perform other duties and responsibilities as necessary to carry out the purpose of this section.
     (3) No wellness program or activity that involves or requires organized or systematic physical exercise may be implemented or conducted during normal working hours.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 6   RCW 41.04.364 (State employee wellness program -- Confidentiality of individually identifiable information) and 1987 c 248 s 3 are each repealed.

Sec. 7   RCW 28C.18.020 and 1991 c 238 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) There is hereby created the workforce training and education coordinating board as a state agency and as the successor agency to the state board for vocational education. Once the coordinating board has convened, all references to the state board for vocational education in the Revised Code of Washington shall be construed to mean the workforce training and education coordinating board, except that reference to the state board for vocational education in RCW 49.04.030 shall mean the state board for community and technical colleges.
     (2)(a) The board shall consist of nine voting members appointed by the governor with the consent of the senate, as follows: Three representatives of business, three representatives of labor, and, serving as ex officio members, the superintendent of public instruction, the executive director of the state board for community and technical colleges, and the commissioner of the employment security department. The chair of the board shall be a nonvoting member selected by the governor with the consent of the senate, and shall serve at the pleasure of the governor. In selecting the chair, the governor shall seek a person who understands the future economic needs of the state and nation and the role that the state's training system has in meeting those needs. Each voting member of the board may appoint a designee to function in his or her place with the right to vote. In making appointments to the board, the governor shall seek to ensure geographic, ethnic, and gender diversity and balance. The governor shall also seek to ensure diversity and balance by the appointment of persons with disabilities.
     (b) The business representatives shall be selected from among nominations provided by a statewide business organization representing a cross-section of industries. However, the governor may request, and the organization shall provide, an additional list or lists from which the governor shall select the business representatives. The nominations and selections shall reflect the cultural diversity of the state, including women, people with disabilities, and racial and ethnic minorities, and diversity in sizes of businesses.
     (c) The labor representatives shall be selected from among nominations provided by statewide labor organizations. However, the governor may request, and the organizations shall provide, an additional list or lists from which the governor shall select the labor representatives. The nominations and selections shall reflect the cultural diversity of the state, including women, people with disabilities, and racial and ethnic minorities.
     (d) Each business member may cast a proxy vote or votes for any business member who is not present and who authorizes in writing the present member to cast such vote.
     (e) Each labor member may cast a proxy vote for any labor member who is not present and who authorizes in writing the present member to cast such vote.
     (f) The chair shall appoint to the board one nonvoting member to represent racial and ethnic minorities, women, and people with disabilities. The nonvoting member appointed by the chair shall serve for a term of four years with the term expiring on June 30th of the fourth year of the term.
     (g) The business members of the board shall serve for terms of four years, the terms expiring on June 30th of the fourth year of the term except that in the case of initial members, one shall be appointed to a two-year term and one appointed to a three-year term.
     (h) The labor members of the board shall serve for terms of four years, the terms expiring on June 30th of the fourth year of the term except that in the case of initial members, one shall be appointed to a two-year term and one appointed to a three-year term.
     (i) Any vacancies among board members representing business or labor shall be filled by the governor with nominations provided by statewide organizations representing business or labor, respectively.
     (j) The board shall adopt bylaws and shall meet at least bimonthly and at such other times as determined by the chair who shall give reasonable prior notice to the members or at the request of a majority of the voting members.
     (k) Members of the board shall be compensated in accordance with RCW 43.03.040 and shall receive travel expenses in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.
     (l) The board shall be formed and ready to assume its responsibilities under this chapter by October 1, 1991.
     (m) The director of the board shall be appointed by the governor from a list of three names submitted by a committee made up of the business and labor members of the board. However, the governor may request, and the committee shall provide, an additional list or lists from which the governor shall select the director. ((The lists compiled by the committee shall not be subject to public disclosure.)) The governor may dismiss the director only with the approval of a majority vote of the board. The board, by a majority vote, may dismiss the director with the approval of the governor.
     (3) The state board for vocational education is hereby abolished and its powers, duties, and functions are hereby transferred to the workforce training and education coordinating board. All references to the director or the state board for vocational education in the Revised Code of Washington shall be construed to mean the director or the workforce training and education coordinating board.

Sec. 8   RCW 79A.25.150 and 2007 c 241 s 51 are each amended to read as follows:
     When requested by the board, members employed by the state shall furnish assistance to the board from their departments for the analysis and review of proposed plans and projects, and such assistance shall be a proper charge against the appropriations to the several agencies represented on the board. Assistance may be in the form of money, personnel, or equipment and supplies, whichever is most suitable to the needs of the board.
     The director of the recreation and conservation office shall be appointed by, and serve at the pleasure of, the governor. The governor shall select the director from a list of three candidates submitted by the board. However, the governor may request and the board shall provide an additional list or lists from which the governor may select the director. ((The lists compiled by the board shall not be subject to public disclosure.)) The director shall have background and experience in the areas of recreation and conservation management and policy. The director shall be paid a salary to be fixed by the governor in accordance with the provisions of RCW 43.03.040. The director shall appoint such personnel as may be necessary to carry out the duties of the office. Not more than three employees appointed by the director shall be exempt from the provisions of chapter 41.06 RCW.

Sec. 9   RCW 42.56.330 and 2008 c 200 s 6 are each amended to read as follows:
     The following information relating to public utilities and transportation is exempt from disclosure under this chapter:
     (1) Records filed with the utilities and transportation commission or attorney general under RCW 80.04.095 that a court has determined are confidential under RCW 80.04.095;
     (2) The residential addresses and residential telephone numbers of the customers of a public utility contained in the records or lists held by the public utility of which they are customers, except that this information may be released to the division of child support or the agency or firm providing child support enforcement for another state under Title IV-D of the federal social security act, for the establishment, enforcement, or modification of a support order;
     (3) The names, residential addresses, residential telephone numbers, and other individually identifiable records held by an agency in relation to a vanpool, carpool, or other ride-sharing program or service; however, these records may be disclosed to other persons who apply for ride-matching services and who need that information in order to identify potential riders or drivers with whom to share rides;
     (4) The personally identifying information of current or former participants or applicants in a paratransit or other transit service operated for the benefit of persons with disabilities or elderly persons;
     (5) The personally identifying information of persons who acquire and use transit passes and other fare payment media including, but not limited to, stored value smart cards and magnetic strip cards, except that an agency may disclose this information to a person, employer, educational institution, or other entity that is responsible, in whole or in part, for payment of the cost of acquiring or using a transit pass or other fare payment media((, or to the news media when reporting on public transportation or public safety. This information may also be disclosed at the agency's discretion to governmental agencies or groups concerned with public transportation or public safety)) for the purpose of preventing fraud.
     (a) This information may be disclosed in aggregate form if the data does not contain any personally identifying information.
     (b) Personally identifying information may be released to law enforcement agencies if the request is accompanied by a court order;
     (6) Any information obtained by governmental agencies that is collected by the use of a motor carrier intelligent transportation system or any comparable information equipment attached to a truck, tractor, or trailer; however, the information may be given to other governmental agencies or the owners of the truck, tractor, or trailer from which the information is obtained. As used in this subsection, "motor carrier" has the same definition as provided in RCW 81.80.010;
     (7) The personally identifying information of persons who acquire and use transponders or other technology to facilitate payment of tolls. This information may be disclosed in aggregate form as long as the data does not contain any personally identifying information. For these purposes aggregate data may include the census tract of the account holder as long as any individual personally identifying information is not released. Personally identifying information may be released to law enforcement agencies only for toll enforcement purposes. Personally identifying information may be released to law enforcement agencies for other purposes only if the request is accompanied by a court order; and
     (8) The personally identifying information of persons who acquire and use a driver's license or identicard that includes a radio frequency identification chip or similar technology to facilitate border crossing. This information may be disclosed in aggregate form as long as the data does not contain any personally identifying information. Personally identifying information may be released to law enforcement agencies only for United States customs and border protection enforcement purposes. Personally identifying information may be released to law enforcement agencies for other purposes only if the request is accompanied by a court order.

Sec. 10   RCW 42.56.250 and 2006 c 209 s 6 are each amended to read as follows:
     The following employment and licensing information is exempt from public inspection and copying under this chapter:
     (1) Test questions, scoring keys, and other examination data used to administer a license, employment, or academic examination;
     (2) All applications for public employment, including the names of applicants, resumes, and other related materials submitted with respect to an applicant;
     (3) The residential addresses, residential telephone numbers, personal wireless telephone numbers, personal electronic mail addresses, social security numbers, and emergency contact information of employees or volunteers of a public agency, and the names, dates of birth, residential addresses, residential telephone numbers, personal wireless telephone numbers, personal electronic mail addresses, social security numbers, and emergency contact information of dependents of employees or volunteers of a public agency that are held by any public agency in personnel records, public employment related records, or volunteer rosters, or are included in any mailing list of employees or volunteers of any public agency. For purposes of this subsection, "employees" includes independent provider home care workers as defined in RCW 74.39A.240;
     (4) Information that identifies a person who, while an agency employee: (a) Seeks advice, under an informal process established by the employing agency, in order to ascertain his or her rights in connection with a possible unfair practice under chapter 49.60 RCW against the person; and (b) requests his or her identity or any identifying information not be disclosed;
     (5) Investigative records compiled by an employing agency conducting ((a current)) an active and ongoing investigation of a possible unfair practice under chapter 49.60 RCW or of a possible violation of other federal, state, or local laws prohibiting discrimination in employment; ((and))
     (6) ((Except as provided in RCW 47.64.220, salary and employee benefit information collected under RCW 47.64.220(1) and described in RCW 47.64.220(2).)) Criminal history records checks for board staff finalist candidates conducted pursuant to RCW 43.33A.025; and
     (7) Except as provided in RCW 47.64.220, salary and benefit information for maritime employees collected from private employers under RCW 47.64.220(1) and described in RCW 47.64.220(2).