(1) The public records officer is appointed by the director and is located in the contracts and legal affairs division of the department.

(2) The public records officer is in charge of the department's public records program. The public records officer is responsible for the implementation of the department's rules regarding the release of public records for inspection and copying, coordinating the department staff in this regard, and overseeing compliance with the Public Records Act requirements in chapter 42.56 RCW.

(3) The public records officer may choose a designee to act in his or her place to carry out the responsibilities in this chapter, including processing and responding to public records requests. The department's public records officer will provide the fullest assistance to requestors.