WSR 15-20-072

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed October 2, 2015, 1:04 p.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 246-847-010 Definitions, 246-847-030 Consulting capacity, 246-847-055 Initial application for individuals who have not practiced, 246-847-065 Continued competency, 246-847-068 Expired license, 246-847-070 Inactive credential, 246-847-100 Examination dates, 246-847-125 Applicants licensed in other states, 246-847-140 Supervised fieldwork, 246-847-170 Code of ethics, 246-847-210 Sexual misconduct, amending existing rules and creating WAC 246-847-XXX Military equivalence and 246-847-XXX Telehealth.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 18.59.090, 18.59.130, 43.70.442, and 18.130.062.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Existing requirements make it difficult for the occupational therapy practice board (board) to quickly and consistently verify education and clinical qualifications of reentry applicants. Amending rules may help eliminate the need for board members to evaluate individual portfolios and expedite the application process. Also, the board would like to consider updating the sexual misconduct rules to include suggestions from the department, adding military equivalence standards for occupational therapy assistants, creating telehealth standards, updating sections on definitions, code of ethics, continued competency and consulting capacity; and updating these sections for clarity and general housekeeping.

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. The board will notify and invite interested parties, via listserv, to participate in drafting the proposed language in rule writing workshops and also to the public hearing. To join listserv or to submit written comments for consideration of proposed language, interested [parties] may contact Kathy Weed, Department of Health, Program Manager, P.O. Box 478852 [47852], Olympia, WA 98504-7852, (360) 236-4883, fax (360) 236-2901, kathy.weed@doh.wa.gov.

October 2, 2015

Trina Castle

Executive Director