PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 246-16 WAC, Standards of professional conduct, adding a section for mandatory reporting by license holders, corporations, organizations, health care facilities, and state and local governmental agencies that employ licensed health care providers.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 18.130.080 as amended by section 8, chapter 134, Laws of 2008 (4SHB 1103), RCW 18.130.050.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: In March 2008, the department adopted mandatory reporting rules as directed by RCW 18.130.070 (as amended in 2006 by SHB 2974). In 2008, 4SHB 1103 imposed new mandatory reporting requirements. Additional rule making will place into chapter 246-16 WAC all mandatory reporting requirements related to licensed health care providers and authorized by chapter 18.130 RCW, the Uniform Disciplinary Act.
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. Interested persons can submit written comments on proposed rules. Written comments can 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.
June 30, 2008
Mary C. Selecky
Secretary