Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 246-110 WAC, Contagious disease -- School districts and day care centers.

     Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 43.20.050 and 28A.210.010.

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: This rule lists contagious diseases that may affect children in schools and/or day care centers, and the steps health officers can take to control or eliminate the spread of those diseases. It is necessary to update the rule to reflect current best public health practice, improve clarity, and to assure that local health officers have up-to-date rules that will help prevent transmission of communicable disease to children and staff in day care and school settings.

     Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: Office of the superintendent of public instruction, department of early learning, and department of social and health services. No federal agencies regulate this subject. The state board of health (board) will make sure these agencies have sufficient opportunity to review and comment on proposed changes.

     Process for Developing New Rule: Collaborative.

     Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. Interested parties will receive notices of rule making, and will have opportunities to submit written comments on the proposed rules. The board will use listservs to notify interested parties about opportunities to comment. The board will take public testimony during the official public hearing. For more information, contact Tara Wolff, Washington State Board of Health, P.O. Box 47990, Olympia, WA 98504, phone (360) 236-4101, e-mail tara.wolff@sboh.wa.gov.

February 6, 2013

Michelle A. Davis

Executive Director