# RCW 43.216.030: RCW 43.216.030: Secretary's authority

> Washington · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T43_C216_S030

## Section

- **Citation:** RCW 43.216.030
- **Heading:** RCW 43.216.030: Secretary's authority
- **Jurisdiction:** Washington
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Washington Code / Title 43 / Chapter 216 / Section 030

## Text

(1) The secretary or the secretary's designee has the full authority to administer oaths and take testimony, to issue subpoenas requiring the attendance of witnesses before him or her together with all books, memoranda, papers, and other documents, articles, or instruments, and to compel the disclosure by those witnesses of all facts known to them relative to the matters under investigation. (2) Subpoenas issued in adjudicative proceedings are governed by RCW 34.05.588 (1). (3) Subpoenas issued in the conduct of investigations required or authorized by other statutory provisions or necessary in the enforcement of other statutory provisions are governed by RCW 34.05.588 (2). (4) When a judicially approved subpoena is required by law, the secretary or the secretary's designee may apply for and obtain a superior court order approving and authorizing a subpoena in advance of its issuance. The application may be made in the county where the subpoenaed person resides or is found, or in the county where the subpoenaed documents, records, or evidence are located, or in Thurston county. The application must: (a) State that an order is sought under this section; (b) Adequately specify the documents, records, evidence, or testimony; and (c) Include a declaration made under oath that an investigation is being conducted for a lawfully authorized purpose related to an investigation within the department's authority and that the subpoenaed documents, records, evidence, or testimony are reasonably related to an investigation within the department's authority. (5) When an application under subsection (4) of this section is made to the satisfaction of the court, the court must issue an order approving the subpoena. When a judicially approved subpoena is required by law, an order under this subsection constitutes authority of law for the agency to subpoena the documents, records, evidence, or testimony. (6) The secretary or the secretary's designee may seek approval and a court may issue an order under this section without prior notice to any person, including the person to whom the subpoena is directed and the person who is the subject of an investigation. An application for court approval is subject to the fee and process set forth in RCW 36.18.012 (3).

## Nearby sections

- [RCW 43.216.005 RCW 43.216.005: Findings.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T43_C216_S005.md)
- [RCW 43.216.010 RCW 43.216.010: Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T43_C216_S010.md)
- [RCW 43.216.015 RCW 43.216.015: Department of children, youth, and families—Created—Duties—Agency performance data—Oversight board for children, youth, and families—Powers and restrictions—Stakeholder meetings.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T43_C216_S015.md)
- [RCW 43.216.020 RCW 43.216.020: Department duties.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T43_C216_S020.md)
- [RCW 43.216.021 RCW 43.216.021: Opioid overdose reversal medication and training.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T43_C216_S021.md)
- [RCW 43.216.022 RCW 43.216.022: Annual quality assurance report.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T43_C216_S022.md)
- [RCW 43.216.025 RCW 43.216.025: Secretary—Appointment—Salary.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T43_C216_S025.md)
- [RCW 43.216.030 RCW 43.216.030: Secretary's authority.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T43_C216_S030.md)
- [RCW 43.216.035 RCW 43.216.035: Office of innovation, alignment, and accountability—Duties and focus.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T43_C216_S035.md)
- [RCW 43.216.040 RCW 43.216.040: Family services and programs—Administration.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T43_C216_S040.md)
- [RCW 43.216.045 RCW 43.216.045: Advisory committees or councils—Travel expenses.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T43_C216_S045.md)
- [RCW 43.216.050 RCW 43.216.050: Evaluation and research materials and data on private nonprofit group homes—Availability.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T43_C216_S050.md)
- [RCW 43.216.055 RCW 43.216.055: Federal and state cooperation—Rules—Construction.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T43_C216_S055.md)
- [RCW 43.216.060 RCW 43.216.060: Policies to support children of incarcerated parents.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T43_C216_S060.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T43_C216_S030. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.