PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 246-12-040 (3)(b) How to return to active status after a credential has expired.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 43.70.280 and 18.135.030.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: RCW 18.135.040 requires that certification made by one health care facility or health care practitioner cannot be transferred to another health care facility or health care practitioner. This makes it impossible for an individual to maintain an active health care assistant (HCA) credential after leaving employment. This situation also imposes upon the individual a late renewal penalty fee ($50.00), an expired certificate reissuance fee ($50.00), and a renewal fee ($60.00). The current rules create an unfair burden to HCAs and the facilities they work for. A rule amendment is needed to remove the burden and barrier created by charging these various fees for HCAs who leave employment at a facility and then later return for reemployment.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.
Process for Developing New Rule: The agency is amending these rules as the result of a petition the agency received. As the agency develops the rule, the program will seek input from interested parties through public workshops.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Tracy Hansen, Program Manager, P.O. Box 7869, Olympia, WA 98504-7869, office phone (360) 236-4915, fax (360) 236-4909, tracy.hansen@doh.wa.gov.
June 21, 2005
M. C. Selecky
Secretary