(1)(a) For a period of twelve months after a drug take-back program approved under RCW 69.48.050 begins operating, a county may enforce a grandfathered ordinance. During that twelve-month period, if a county determines that a covered manufacturer is in compliance with its grandfathered ordinance, the department shall find the covered manufacturer in compliance with the requirements of this chapter with respect to that county.

(b) In any county enforcing a grandfathered ordinance as described in (a) of this subsection, the program operator of an approved drug take-back program must work with the county and the department to incorporate the local program into the approved drug take-back program on or before the end of the twelve-month period.

(2) After June 7, 2018, a political subdivision may not enact or enforce a local ordinance that requires a retail pharmacy, clinic, hospital, or local law enforcement agency to provide for collection and disposal of covered drugs from covered entities.

(3) At the end of the twelve-month period provided in subsection (1) of this section, this chapter preempts all existing or future laws enacted by a county, city, town, or other political subdivision of the state regarding a drug take-back program or other program for the collection, transportation, and disposal of covered drugs, or promotion, education, and public outreach relating to such a program.

(4) For purposes of this section, “grandfathered ordinance” means a pharmaceutical product stewardship or drug take-back ordinance that: (a) Is in effect on June 7, 2018; and (b) the department determines meets or exceeds the requirements of this chapter with respect to safe and secure collection and disposal of unwanted medicines from residents, including the types of drugs covered by the program, the convenience of the collection system for residents, and required promotion of the program.

Sunset Act application: See note following chapter digest.