PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Food worker cards, WAC 246-217-010(4), definition of food service establishment, WAC 246-217-015 Applicability, and WAC 246-217-025(4), training topics.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapter 69.06 RCW.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Chapter 246-217 WAC specifies requirements for all food workers in the state to obtain food cards from local health officers, and in the process receive training on specific food safety topics. SHB 1545 amended chapter 69.06 RCW to conditionally exempt certain workers at adult family homes from having to obtain food worker cards if they complete Department of Social and Health Services training that meets State Board of Health standards. The rule must be updated to comply with the updated statute. Also, considering the significant percentage of the population that is allergic to one or more food items, with sometimes serious or fatal health impacts, the addition of food allergy awareness to the list of food safety training topics is being proposed.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The Department of Social and Health Services regulates adult family homes, including caregiver training. The Department of Health administers rules of the board regarding food worker cards, which are implemented by local health agencies. In order to coordinate the rule with these agencies, the Department of Health will invite representatives of the Department of Social and Health Services and local health agencies to participate on the rule workgroup.
Process for Developing New Rule: Broad-based stakeholder groups.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Dave Gifford, Section Manager, Washington State Department of Health, P.O. Box 47824, Olympia, WA 98504-7824, phone (360) 236-3074, fax (360) 236-2257, e-mail dave.gifford@doh.wa.gov; or Ned Therien, Health Policy Analyst, Washington State Board of Health, P.O. Box 47990, Olympia, WA 98504-7990, phone (360) 236-4103, fax (360) 236-4088, e-mail ned.therien@doh.wa.gov.
July 21, 2005
Craig McLaughlin
Executive Director