WSR 13-21-070

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed October 16, 2013, 2:51 p.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 246-854 WAC, Osteopathic physicians' assistants (PAs), the board of osteopathic medicine and surgery (board) is considering revisions to this chapter to implement SHB 1737 (chapter 203, Laws of 2013).

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: SHB 1737 (section 8, chapter 203, Laws of 2013), RCW 18.57A.020, 18.130.050.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The board is proposing rule making to consider changes related to supervision of PAs in remote sites and changing the term "practice arrangement plan" to "delegation agreement" throughout the rules per SHB 1737. The board is also considering modernizing the PA rules to clarify regulatory requirements; align current rules with national professional standards; amend rules for delegation of laser, light, radio frequency and plasma devices to align with current allopathic PA rules; and create streamlined processes relevant to initial license applications, license renewals, and delegation agreement approval processes for allopathic and osteopathic PA applicants.

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 with the medical quality assurance commission and with statewide organizations representing the interests of physician assistants.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. Interested parties may participate in the development of draft rules prior to a formal proposal by joining the board's listserv, attending workshops, or providing input on draft and proposed materials. Interested parties can receive information on how to participate by contacting Brett Cain, Program Manager, Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery, Department of Health, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504-7852, phone (360) 236-4766, fax (360) 236-2901, e-mail brett.cain@doh.wa.gov.

October 16, 2013

Blake T. Maresh

Executive Director