New rules will help prevent spread of diseases at temporary worker housing sites

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September 28, 2023

DOH and the state Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) are committed to taking action to help prevent the spread of communicable diseases at temporary worker housing sites.

RCW 70.114A.065 directs DOH and L&I to adopt joint rules for the licensing, operation, and inspection of temporary worker housing under chapter 246-358 WAC (PDF), Temporary Worker Housing and chapter 296-307 WAC, Safety Standards for Agriculture, respectively.

Following the adoption of nine emergency rules aimed at protecting occupants of these sites, DOH and L&I spent a year amending rule language and solicited public comments by holding in-person public hearings in communities around the state and one virtual public hearing on the draft rules. After the public comment period closed, we reviewed all rule comments and made clarifying rule edits as needed based on those comments. We adopted permanent rulemaking (CR-103P) to address these hazards of communicable diseases among occupants residing in temporary worker housing. The final rule was filed September 19, 2023, and will be effective on November 1, 2023.

See DOH’s Agency Rulemaking Page for additional filing documents and a summary of changes.
See L&I’s Agency Rulemaking Page for additional filing documents.

For rulemaking questions, email L&I Administrative Regulations Analyst Carmyn Shute or DOH Rules Coordinator Nina Helpling.

For technical questions regarding this rulemaking project, email L&I Agricultural Technical Specialist Doug Hartfield or DOH Temporary Worker Housing Section Manager Juan C. Gamez Briceno.