PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 246-790-010, 246-790-050, 246-790-060, 246-790-065, 246-790-070, 246-790-080, 246-790-085, 246-790-090, 246-790-100, 246-790-120 and 246-790-130, amending women, infants and children (WIC) nutrition program requirements for selecting authorized retailers, submitting food products for approval, and updating noncompliance sanctions and fines.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 43.70.120.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The department has identified a variety of references, definitions and terms in the rules that are outdated. Key portions of the rules may need to be updated to accurately reflect the revised federal law 7 C.F.R. 246 governing the WIC nutrition program. The revised rules will further define the standards of practices and requirements for administrating and implementing the program. In addition, the revision will provide clarity for participating in the program.
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. Communication will be sent to interested parties such as retailers, grocery wholesalers, food manufacturers, WIC clients and others inviting comments and providing notice of the public hearing. Interested parties can provide comments on the department of health rule making web site http://www.doh.wa.gov/Rules/default.htm, by writing to Department of Health, P.O. Box 47886, Olympia, WA 98504-7886, or by contacting Peter Gayton at peter.gayton@doh.wa.gov, (360) 236-3788.
July 6, 2010
Mary C. Selecky
Secretary