WSR 15-17-076

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed August 17, 2015, 12:14 p.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 246-918-XXX Physician assistants—Medical quality assurance commission and 246-918-180 Continuing medical education requirements. Creating a new section and revising WAC 246-918-180 to establish continuing education and training requirements for suicide assessment, treatment, and management for allopathic physician assistants.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 18.71.017, 43.70.442, and ESHB 1424 (chapter 249, Laws of 2015).

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: RCW 43.70.442 directs the medical quality assurance commission (commission) to adopt rules to implement continuing education and training requirements for suicide assessment, treatment, and management. The commission may establish in rule standards for suicide assessment, treatment, and management trainings that are appropriate for allopathic physician assistants.

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. Interested parties may participate in the development of draft rules prior to a formal proposal by joining the commission's listserv, attending workshops, and providing input on draft and proposed materials. Interested parties can receive information on how to participate by contacting Daidria Pittman, Program Manager, Medical Quality Assurance Commission, Department of Health, P.O. Box 47866, Olympia, WA 98504-7866, phone (360) 236-2727, fax (360) 236-2795, e-mail daidria.pittman@doh.wa.gov.

August 17, 2015

Melanie de Leon

Executive Director