PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
(Board of Pharmacy)
Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 246-863-XXX Pharmacist licensing, 246-901-XXX Ancillary personnel, and 246-858-XXX Pharmacist -- Internship requirements -- Standards of professional conduct. The board of pharmacy is considering developing rules that will define sexual misconduct standards for pharmacist and pharmacy ancillary personnel regulated by the board. The board will also consider standardizing sanctions for practitioners who engage in sexual misconduct.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 18.64.005 and 18.130.050.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Currently, the profession does not have rules defining sexual misconduct. Without rules, practitioners do not know the standards to which they are held and any disciplinary action may be inconsistent. Rules on this subject will help assure clear and consistent definitions of sexual misconduct and appropriate sanctions for individuals who engage in sexual misconduct. Developing rules will ensure public safety and may help providers avoid sexual misconduct.
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. Public meetings will be held in various areas of the state. Written comments may be sent to Judy Haenke, Program Manager, P.O. Box 47863, Olympia, WA 98504-7870, phone (360) 236-4947, fax (360) 586-4359, e-mail judy.haenke@doh.wa.gov.
May 4, 2006
Steven Saxe
Executive Director