PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
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