WSR 14-01-076

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed December 16, 2013, 10:34 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 246-824-220 Retention of contact lens records, the department is considering expanding the rule to include retention of records related to eyeglass examinations and prescriptions.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 18.130.050(14).

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The current rule requires retention of contact lens records. The rule does not require that examination records or prescription information for eyeglasses be retained by the dispensing optician. Rule making will examine whether maintenance of eyeglass examination and eyeglass prescription records is vital for the continuity of care of patients, for verification of a prescription to other practitioners and when ordering additional eyeglasses or prescription sunglasses.

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. Stakeholders will be notified and invited to participate in an open public rules workshop and may submit written comments for consideration. Stakeholders will be notified through listserv and posting to the web site. Contact Judy Haenke, Program Manager, Department of Health, Dispensing Optician Program, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504-7852, judy.haenke@doh.wa.gov, phone (360) 236-4947, fax (360) 236-2901.

December 13, 2013

John Wiesman, DrPh, MPH

Secretary