WSR 15-13-102

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed June 16, 2015, 9:34 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 490-105 WAC, adopt new rules and/or revise existing rules that set standards for private vocational schools. The subjects under consideration will be the implementation of the provisions of HB 2228 (2014); clarification of existing definitions and proposed new definitions, minimum licensing standards and continuing operational requirements, student complaint process; and unfair business practices.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 28C.10.040.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: This rule making is in response to HB 2228 (2014), and necessary clarification and revision of existing rules.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: Accredited schools are also regulated by the United States Department of Education with regard to their delivery of federal student aid. Certain vocational programs are regulated to some degree by other state agencies (joint jurisdiction) such as the department of health (massage schools), department of licensing (commercial driver licensing schools), department of social and health services and department of health (certified nursing assistant schools), and the gambling commission (gaming schools). Agencies with joint jurisdiction will be notified of this rule making.

Process for Developing New Rule: Preferred rules were developed with input from the Washington Federation of Private Career Schools and Colleges, the Private Vocational School Advisory Committed [Committee], stakeholders, and the public. The preferred rules will be presented to the workforce board at its November 19, 2015, meeting for adoption. Once the board approved [approves] the rule making, the agency will file a CR-103.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. All private vocational schools regulated by the workforce board, the Federation of Private Career Schools and Colleges, and other state agencies involved with regulating some aspect of private vocational school education will be notified of the public hearings and encouraged to attend.

Specific questions may be director [directed] to Jim Parker, Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board, (360) 709-4625, jim.parker@wtb.wa.gov.

June 15, 2015

Jim Parker

Program Manager