WSR 13-18-080

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed September 4, 2013, 9:06 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 246-105 WAC, Immunization of child care and school children against certain vaccine-preventable diseases, updating the chapter to reflect changes in law and the updated advisory committee on immunization practices (ACIP) recommended immunization schedule.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 28A.210.140.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Rules may need to be updated to reflect the changes in RCW 28A.210.090 which changed immunization exemptions procedures required for entry into schools and child care centers. Definitions may be updated for clarity and to ensure the rule language is consistent with the statute. The reference to the national immunization standard set by the ACIP may also be updated to reflect the most current version to maintain consistency between Washington's school and child care age and interval immunization requirements and national immunization standards.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The superintendent of public instruction: Under RCW 28A.210.150 and chapter 392-182 WAC, provides procedures for schools to verify immunization status of transferring students; under RCW 28A.210.160 and chapter 392-380 WAC, governs the exclusion of children from public schools. The state board of education: Under RCW 28A.210.160 and chapter 180-38 WAC, governs the exclusion of children from private schools. The department of early learning: Under chapters 43.215 RCW and 170-297 and 170-295 WAC, governs the exclusion of children from licensed child care centers. These agencies will have the 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 by contacting Jeff Wise, Washington State Department of Health, P.O. Box 47843, Olympia, WA 98504, phone (360) 236-3483, e-mail jeff.wise@doh.wa.gov or Tara Wolff, SBOH, P.O. Box 47990, Olympia, WA 98504, phone (360) 236-4101, e-mail tara.wolff@doh.wa.gov.

Public notice of rule making and opportunities to submit written comments will be available on the department of health web site www.doh.wa.gov.htm. Interested parties will be notified of rule making and opportunities to provide input through various listservs. Testimony will be taken at a scheduled state board of health public hearing.

September 4, 2013

Michelle A. Davis

Executive Director