WSR 16-22-035

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed October 26, 2016, 10:56 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 246-100-197 Rabies—Measures to prevent human disease.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 43.20.050 Powers and duties of the state board of health—Rule making—Delegation of authority—Enforcement of rules and 16.70.040(1) Rules—Scope.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The intent of this rule making is to incorporate the most current science related to rabies post-exposure prophylactic practice and quarantine periods. These changes are detailed in the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians Compendium of Animal Rabies Prevention and Control (compendium). The rule making will also update the compendium adoption by reference date for procedures related to emergency sheltering of mammals displaced during a disaster. These changes take advantage of new flexibility in practice guidelines and are expected to increase compliance with the state rabies rule and result in greater public health protection.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The state board of health will consult with the department of agriculture consistent with RCW 16.70.040. All rule modifications will be consistent with federal Food and Drug Administration rules related to mammal rabies vaccination.

Process for Developing New Rule: The state board of health will use a collaborative rule-making approach to develop the draft rule. Staff will provide the draft rule to the department of agriculture, local health jurisdictions, veterinarians, and other interested parties for review and comment prior to preparing the proposed rule. After the proposed rule is filed, staff will notify stakeholders of the state board of health public hearing to consider formal comments on the proposed rule.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Vicki Bouvier, Division of Environmental Public Health, (360) 236-3011, Vicki.Bouvier@doh.wa.gov; or David DeLong, Washington State Board of Health, Health Policy Analyst, (360) 236-4111, David.DeLong@doh.wa.gov, to participate in the development of the proposed rule.

October 26, 2016

Michelle A. Davis

Executive Director