King County Board of Health

The King County Board of Health sets county-wide policies and regulations to protect and promote the health of King County residents. Over the years, the Board of Health has enacted countless measures to improve the health and well-being of King County residents, including banning trans fats in restaurants, regulating e-cigarettes and requiring the use of bicycle helmets.

The 11-member board is comprised of three health professionals and eight elected officials who serve terms ranging from one to three years.

The Board of Health meets on the third Thursday of each month at 1:30 p.m. in the Metropolitan King County Council Chambers, unless otherwise specified.

Public Hearing Announcement

Overdoses in King County have surpassed car crashes as a leading cause of preventable deaths, with a majority of overdoses involving prescription opiates. The Board of Health is working to protect human health by reducing the harm of prescription drugs in our community by creating a system for the safe disposal of unused medicines.

Last summer, Chair McDermott convened a subcommittee to learn about options. The work of the subcommittee has had two phases: (1) hearing from interested stakeholders, and (2) policy discussion and decisions.

The Board of Health will hold a briefing and public hearing on a draft proposed Rule and Regulation for secure medicine return on Thursday, May 16 at 1:30 p.m. in the Metropolitan King County Council Chambers, 10th floor, Courthouse, 516 Third Avenue, Seattle. An updated draft proposed Rule and Regulation will be posted on Thursday, May 9, 2013.

Written comments can also be submitted to: King County Board of Health, ATTN: Maria Wood, Public Health – Seattle & King County, 401 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1300, Seattle, WA 98104; maria.wood@kingcounty.gov. Written comments mailed or delivered to this address must be received by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, May 15. Written comments may also be submitted at the Board of Health meeting.

A Rule and Regulation relating to providing safe collection and disposal of unwanted drugs from residential sources through producer provided and funded product stewardship plans, and adding a new chapter to BOH Title 11; enacted pursuant to RCW 70.05.060, including the latest amendments or revisions thereto.
Overview of Proposed Secure Medicine Return Rule & Regulation, May 8, 2013

	Meeting agenda + May 16 meeting packet (PDF)
	Code of the King County Board of Health
	BOH meetings
	Rulemaking
	History and background of the Board of Health
	Meeting proceedings (minutes)
	Membership roster
	Motions
	Regulations
	Resolutions
	Guidelines and recommendations
	Public Hearings on proposed regulations
	Watch a video of the Board of Health meeting held Feb. 16, 2012 featuring Dr. David Fleming, Director and Health Officer of Public Health giving a presentation on the Annual Report to the Board of Health (discussion starts at 00:37:16 of the video timeline.)