WSR 06-23-160 PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH [ Filed November 22, 2006, 9:12 a.m. ] Subject of Possible Rule Making: Mandatory reporting by certain persons, agencies, and businesses of health care providers who commit unprofessional conduct or are unable to practice. Adding new sections to chapter 246-16 WAC, Standards of professional conduct; amending WAC 246-16-010 Purpose of chapter; and repealing or amending existing rules on the same subject.
Acupuncture WAC 246-801-170 to 246-801-240 Licensed counselors WAC 246-810-060 to 246-810-066 Registered counselors
WAC 246-810-060 to 246-810-066 Denture technology WAC 246-812-400 to 246-812-450 Dental hygiene WAC 246-815-170 to 246-815-240 Dieticians and nutritionists
WAC 246-822-020 to 246-822-090 Dispensing opticians WAC 246-824-080 to 246-824-150 Massage practitioners
WAC 246-830-610 to 246-830-680 Midwives WAC 246-834-260 to 246-834-340 Naturopathic physicians
WAC 246-836-330 to 246-836-390 Nursing assistants WAC 246-841-720 Ocularist WAC 246-849-030 to 246-849-090 Radiological technologists
WAC 246-926-020 to 246-926-080 Respiratory care practitioners
WAC 246-928-710 to 246-928-760 Emergency medical services
WAC 246-976-191 Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: SHB 2974 (sections 2 and 3, chapter 99, Laws of 2006), amending RCW 18.130.060 and [18.130].070, 18.130.050.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: There are currently sixty-one professions regulated under the Uniform Disciplinary Act. For many years, some programs have relied on their own mandatory reporting rules, rules requesting reports, and voluntary reporting unrelated to existing rules. Some professions have no requirements in rule. There are significant differences across professions about who must report and the information that should be reported.
Changing the rules may help the content and reliability of reports about license holders who have been convicted of crimes, committed unprofessional conduct, or who may be unable to practice with reasonable skill and safety.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.
Process for Developing New Rule: Collaborative rule making.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. At least one public meeting will be held. Written comments may be sent to Margaret Gilbert, Department of Health, P.O. Box 47873, Olympia, WA 98504-7873, phone (360) 236-4913, fax (360) 236-4930, e-mail Margaret.Gilbert@doh.wa.gov.
November 13, 2006
Mary C. Selecky
Secretary
