Anderson's Business Law and the Legal Environment 22th Edition by David Twomey,Marianne Jennings

Exercise 3

The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department conducted an investigation into the quality of care provided by ambulance service providers in its jurisdiction. On the basis of that investigation, the department issued a set of temporary rules and regulations that established minimum requirements for equipment, drugs, and service availability for ambulance service providers in Pierce County. The Tacoma News wanted to publish an article on the matter and sought discovery of everything that had led to the adoption of the regulations, including all details of the investigation made by the health department. The health department objected to disclosing the names of the persons who had volunteered information on which the department had based its action and the names of the ambulance companies. Were the names subject to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request [ Tacoma News, Inc. v. Tacoma-Pierce County Health Dept., 778 P.2d 1066 (Wash. App.)]