In any case in which the department of health conducts an inspection of a private detention facility and finds that the private detention facility has failed or refused to comply with applicable state statutes or regulations, the department of health may take one or more of the following actions:
(1) When the department of health determines the private detention facility has previously been subject to an enforcement action for the same or similar type of violation of the same statute or rule, or has been given any previous statement of deficiency that included the same or similar type of violation of the same or similar statute or rule, or has failed to correct noncompliance with a statute or rule by a date established or agreed to by the department of health, the department of health may impose reasonable conditions on the private detention facility, which may include correction within a specified amount of time, training, or hiring a consultant approved by the department of health if the private detention facility cannot demonstrate that it has access to sufficient internal expertise.
(2)(a) In accordance with the authority under RCW 43.70.095, the department of health may assess a civil fine of up to $10,000 per violation, not to exceed a total fine of $1,000,000, on a private detention facility if the private detention facility has previously been subject to an enforcement action for the same or similar type of violation of the same statute or rule, or has been given any previous statement of deficiency that included the same or similar type of violation of the same or similar statute or rule, or has failed to correct noncompliance with a statute or rule by a date established or agreed to by the department of health.
(b) Proceeds from these fines may only be used by the department of health to provide training or technical assistance to private detention facilities.
(c) The department of health shall adopt in rules specific fine amounts in relation to the severity of the noncompliance.
(d) If a private detention facility is aggrieved by the department of health's action of assessing civil fines, the private detention facility has the right to appeal under RCW 43.70.095.
[ 2025 c 235 s 4.]
Notes:
Effective date—Construction—2025 c 235: See notes following RCW 70.395.020.