5990-S AMS MUZZ S5317.1
SSB 5990 - S AMD 709
By Senator Muzzall
NOT CONSIDERED 03/12/2026
Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:
Sec. 1. "RCW 70.05.050 and 1996 c 178 s 19 are each amended to read as follows:
((The))(1)(a) Except as provided in (b) of this subsection, the local health officer shall be an experienced physician licensed to practice medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery in this state and who is qualified or provisionally qualified in accordance with the standards prescribed in RCW 70.05.051 through 70.05.055 to hold the office of local health officer.
(b) The local health officer may be a person licensed to practice as an advanced registered nurse practitioner under chapter 18.79 RCW and who is qualified or provisionally qualified in accordance with the standards prescribed in RCW 70.05.051 through 70.05.055 to hold the office of local health officer if:
(i) The county where the person will hold the office of local health officer has a population of less than 100,000; and
(ii) The local health department where the person will hold the office of local health officer has an interlocal agreement adopted pursuant to chapter 39.34 RCW with a local health department or a local health district with a local health officer qualified under (a) of this subsection for formal consultation services. The department may, by rule, establish standards for interlocal agreements providing formal consultation services.
(2) No term of office shall be established for the local health officer but the local health officer shall not be removed until after notice is given, and an opportunity for a hearing before the board or official responsible for his or her appointment under this section as to the reason for his or her removal.
(3) The local health officer shall act as executive secretary to, and administrative officer for the local board of health and shall also be empowered to employ such technical and other personnel as approved by the local board of health except where the local board of health has appointed an administrative officer under RCW 70.05.040. The local health officer shall be paid such salary and allowed such expenses as shall be determined by the local board of health.
(4) In home rule counties that are part of a health district under this chapter and chapter 70.46 RCW the local health officer and administrative officer shall be appointed by the local board of health.
Sec. 2. RCW 70.05.050 and 1996 c 178 s 19 are each amended to read as follows:
((The))(1)(a) Except as provided in (b) of this subsection, the local health officer shall be an experienced physician licensed to practice medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery in this state and who is qualified or provisionally qualified in accordance with the standards prescribed in RCW 70.05.051 through 70.05.055 to hold the office of local health officer.
(b) The local health officer may be a person licensed to practice as an advanced practice registered nurse under chapter 18.79 RCW and who is qualified or provisionally qualified in accordance with the standards prescribed in RCW 70.05.051 through 70.05.055 to hold the office of local health officer if:
(i) The county where the person will hold the office of local health officer has a population of less than 100,000; and
(ii) The local health department where the person will hold the office of local health officer has an interlocal agreement adopted pursuant to chapter 39.34 RCW with a local health department or a local health district with a local health officer qualified under (a) of this subsection for formal consultation services. The department may, by rule, establish standards for interlocal agreements providing formal consultation services.
(2) No term of office shall be established for the local health officer but the local health officer shall not be removed until after notice is given, and an opportunity for a hearing before the board or official responsible for his or her appointment under this section as to the reason for his or her removal.
(3) The local health officer shall act as executive secretary to, and administrative officer for the local board of health and shall also be empowered to employ such technical and other personnel as approved by the local board of health except where the local board of health has appointed an administrative officer under RCW 70.05.040. The local health officer shall be paid such salary and allowed such expenses as shall be determined by the local board of health.
(4) In home rule counties that are part of a health district under this chapter and chapter 70.46 RCW the local health officer and administrative officer shall be appointed by the local board of health.
NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3. Section 1 of this act expires June 30, 2027.
NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4. Section 2 this act takes effect June 30, 2027."
SSB 5990 - S AMD 709
By Senator Muzzall
NOT CONSIDERED 03/12/2026
On page 1, line 2 of the title, after "counties;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "amending RCW 70.05.050 and 70.05.050; providing an effective date; and providing an expiration date."
EFFECT: Allows a local board of health to appoint an advanced practice registered nurse to hold the office of local health officer if the county has a population of less than 100,000 and the local health department has an interlocal agreement for consultative services with another local health department or local health district with a local health officer who is an experienced physician licensed to practice medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery. The advanced practice registered nurse appointed to hold the office of local health officer must be qualified or provisionally qualified under the standards prescribed in RCW 70.05.051 through 70.05.055. Allows the Department of Health to adopt rules establishing standards for interlocal agreements providing formal consultation services.
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