WSR 15-19-153

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed September 23, 2015, 8:11 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 246-XXX WAC, establishing minimum standards for suicide prevention training programs for health care professionals.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 43.70.442 as amended by ESHB 1424 (chapter 249, Laws of 2015) and RCW 43.70.040.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Suicide is a serious public health problem in Washington. In 2013 and 2014, the legislature enacted laws requiring certain health professionals to complete training in suicide assessment, treatment, and management to help them identify, refer, or manage patients at risk for suicide. In 2015, the legislature enacted ESHB 1424 that required the department of health (department) to develop minimum standards for suicide prevention training programs for health care professionals. Training programs that meet the minimum standards will be published on a model list, from which health care professionals must select a training program beginning July 1, 2017.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The professional education [educator] standards board approves suicide prevention training for certain educators under RCW 28A.410.226. ESHB 1424 requires the department to provide the minimum standards developed under this rule making to the professional education [educator] standards board as a model for meeting RCW 28A.410.226 requirements. In addition, ESHB 1424 directs the department to collaborate with the department of veterans affairs to ensure trainings include content specific to veterans. Finally, the department will coordinate with department of social and health services, division of behavioral health and recovery as appropriate.

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 will be able to participate by attending rule-making workshops and the public hearing, and are encouraged to submit comments by regular and electronic mail. Notices to interested parties will be provided through direct outreach to individuals, announcements on listservs, and posting of updates and meeting notices on the department's suicide prevention training web site. Please address questions and/or comments to Kathy Schmitt, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504-7852, phone (360) 236-2985, e-mail Kathy.schmitt@doh.wa.gov.

September 22, 2015

John Wiesman, DrPH, MPH

Secretary