PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
LABOR AND INDUSTRIES
Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 296-15-360 Qualifications of personnel, chapter 296-15 WAC governs employers who are permitted to self-insure their workers' compensation obligation pursuant to Title 51 RCW. This filing includes modifications to WAC 296-15-360. The modifications will simplify the continuing education requirements for department-approved claims administrators who choose to recertify via continuing education.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 51.04.20 [51.04.020], 51.14.020, 51.32.190, 51.14.090, and 51.14.095.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: In response to a petition for rule making, the department has agreed to modify WAC 296-15-360. The rule currently requires that a department-approved claims administrator who chooses to recertify via continuing education earn seventy-five continuing education credits, with a minimum number of credits in five different categories. The modified rule will still require seventy-five credits, but will no longer include category requirements.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: No other state, local, or federal agency regulates this subject.
Process for Developing New Rule: Labor and industries will work with representatives of the labor and self-insured employer communities on all changes to WAC 296-15-360. A public hearing will be held in Tumwater after the proposal is filed.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Margaret Conley, Department of Labor and Industries Self Insurance Section, P.O. Box 44890, Olympia, WA 98504-4890, phone (360) 902-6723, fax (360) 902-6977, e-mail Mcgm235@Lni.wa.gov.
December 15, 2009
Judy Schurke
Director