Subject of Possible Rule Making: Birthing centers; updating inspection requirements. The department of health (department) is considering rule making to implement and align with statutory changes under SHB 1824 (chapter 69, Laws of 2025). This rule making will consider making amendments to chapter 246-329 WAC to: (1) Update inspection requirements for birthing centers; and (2) make other updates as appropriate. Impacted rule sections include WAC 246-329-020, 246-329-025, 246-329-045, 246-329-055, and other related sections in chapter 246-329 WAC.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 18.46.060, 43.70.040, and SHB 1824 (chapter 69, Laws of 2025), codified as RCW 18.46.080.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The intent of the rule making is to implement SHB 1824 by updating inspection requirements for birthing centers. SHB 1824 exempts a birthing center from department inspections when the center is accredited by a birthing center accrediting body with standards substantially equivalent to the department's, in addition to meeting other requirements under RCW 18.46.080.

Rule making is necessary to align the rules with new statutory requirements, implement the legislation, and create enforceable standards that support patient safety. This may include adding language on what constitutes substantial equivalency.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting John Hilger, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504-7852, phone 360-236-2929, TTY 711, email john.hilger@doh.wa.gov, website doh.wa.gov.

Additional comments: The department will use existing GovDelivery lists and other known contact information to inform interested parties of opportunities to provide input on proposed rule language. To find out more information about our rule making, visit www.doh.wa.gov. To subscribe to GovDelivery, please visit www.doh.wa.gov, and select the "Sign up for Updates From DOH" button at the bottom of the page. After signing in, please select the box labeled "Health Systems Quality Assurance." Next, select the box labeled "Community Health Systems," and then click "Facilities" and "Birthing Centers" for birthing centers rules, or select the relevant facility type(s).