WSR 15-11-054

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed May 15, 2015, 12:36 p.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 246-851-370 Employed doctors of optometry, franchises and equipment use agreements, the board of optometry (board) will consider amending or repealing all or part of the rule as it relates to the relationship between salary, bonus, or other remuneration of an employed doctor of optometry and the number of patients seen or prescriptions filled.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 18.54.070(2).

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The board received a petition for rule making requesting the board consider removing the first sentence of WAC 246-851-370. The board agreed to consider the proposal. Language in WAC 246-851-370 is outdated and does not reflect current practice. Amending or repealing all or part of the rule will provide clarity and remove ambiguity.

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.

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 Loralei Walker, Program Manager, Department of Health, Board of Optometry, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504-7852, Loralei.Walker@doh.wa.gov, phone (360) 236-4947 or fax (360) 236-2901.

May 15, 2015

Kathy Schmitt, Deputy Director

Office of Health Professions and Facilities