WSR 14-21-111

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed October 16, 2014, 10:55 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 246-976-320 Air ambulance services, the department of health is considering amending the air ambulance licensure requirements to align with federal law.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 18.73.081, 18.73.140, and 70.168.050.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: WAC 246-976-320 requires licensed air ambulance services to maintain accreditation by the commission of accreditation of medical transport services. Recent court rulings determined that state required ambulance accreditation may be preempted by federal law. The rule is being opened to clarify requirements to align with federal law as needed.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: United States Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The department of health will reconcile any proposed and adopted rule changes to ensure alignment with the FAA's most current regulations.

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 by contacting Catie Holstein, EMS and Trauma Supervisor, Department of Health, P.O. Box 47853, Olympia, WA, or 111 Israel Road S.E., Olympia, WA 98504-7853, phone (360) 236-2841, fax (360) 236-2830, e-mail catie.holstein@doh.wa.gov. Interested parties may participate in the development of a draft rule prior to a formal proposal by attending the rule workshops or providing input on draft materials.

October 16, 2014

Dennis E. Worsham

Deputy Secretary

for John Wiesman, DrPH, MPH

Secretary