PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 246-XXX WAC, creating a new chapter to implement the Washington Death with Dignity Act, Initiative Measure No. 1000. The department will adopt rules to facilitate the collection of information regarding compliance with the initiative and to specify the qualifications of the witness designated by the long-term care facility, if the patient is a patient of a long-term care facility.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Initiative Measure No. 1000.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: In 2008 Initiative Measure No. 1000 was voted into law. Section 15 of the initiative requires the department to adopt rules to facilitate the collection of information regarding compliance with the initiative. Section 3 requires the department to specify in rule the qualifications of the witness designated by a long-term care facility, if the patient is a patient of a long-term care facility.
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, the department will work together with interested members of the public and providers to develop the new rules.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Carol Wozniak at carol.wozniak@doh.wa.gov, or Washington State Department of Health, P.O. Box 47813, Olympia, WA 98504-7813, phone (360) 236-4369, fax (360) 753-4135.
November 18, 2008
Mary C. Selecky
Secretary