PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 182-04 WAC, Public access to information and records.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 41.05.160, 42.17.250, 42.56.040, 70.02.050.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: All state agencies are required to adopt procedures that establish how individuals can request and obtain agency public records. The health care authority's (HCA's) public disclosure rules are contained in chapter 182-04 WAC, which was last amended in 1997. The current rules do not reflect changes in state law, technology, and HCA processes. The agency will consider changes that improve clarity and update the chapter. One option that is under consideration is the use of a question and answer rule-writing style to provide information to the public in the clearest possible fashion.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.
Process for Developing New Rule: Public hearing.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Sheri Ammerman, P.O. Box 42700, Olympia, WA 98504-2700, e-mail samm107@hca.wa.gov. Information on proposed rule making will also be available on the health care authority web site at http://www.hca.wa.gov/laws/index.shtml.
April 21, 2006
Pete Cutler
Rules Coordinator