(1) In accordance with RCW 42.17.260, the department shall index:

(a) Final orders that are issued in adjudicative proceedings as defined in RCW 34.05.010(1) and contain an analysis or decision of substantial importance to the department in carrying out its duties;

(b) Declaratory orders that contain an analysis or decision of substantial importance to the department in carrying out its duties;

(c) Interpretive statements as defined in RCW 34.05.010(8); and

(d) Policy statements as defined in RCW 34.05.010(14).

(2) The department shall maintain indexes of:

(a) Final orders meeting the criteria in subsection (1)(a) of this section, issued by the department and the disciplining authorities identified in RCW 18.130.040;

(b) Declaratory orders meeting the criteria in subsection (1)(b) of this section issued by the department, the state board of health, and disciplining authorities identified in RCW 18.130.040; and

(c) Interpretive and policy statements issued by the department, the state board of health, and disciplining authorities identified in RCW 18.130.040.

(3) The indexes shall, at a minimum, contain the case or document number; type of document; name of parties, if applicable, unless such names are exempt from public disclosure; brief description of subject, program; pertinent legal citation; and location of the document.

(4) The department shall periodically update the indexes to verify that the indexed documents continue to meet the criteria in subsection (1) of this section. The department may, at any time, delete a document from an index. Under RCW 42.17.260(6), a public record may not be cited in a proceeding if it has not been indexed.

(5) The indexes are public records and are available for public inspection and copying in accordance with WAC 246-08-420 and 246-08-440. Indexes are located as follows:

(a) The index of final adjudicative orders and declaratory orders is located in the Adjudicative Service Unit, 310 Israel Road S.E., Tumwater, WA 98501; and

(b) The index of interpretive and policy statements issued by the department and the state board of health is located in the Office of the Secretary, 101 Israel Road S.E., Tumwater, WA 98501.