WSR 17-12-027

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed May 30, 2017, 2:32 p.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 246-922-XXX Temporary practice permit—Military spouse and state-registered domestic partner eligibility and issuance, the podiatric medical board (board) is considering adding a new section to provide for temporary practice permits to be issued to military spouses or state-registered domestic partners who hold an out-of-state credential as a podiatric physician.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 18.22.015 and chapter 18.340 RCW.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Chapter 18.340 RCW provides that military spouses may receive a temporary practice permit while completing any specific additional credential application requirements in Washington that are not related to a profession's training or practice standard. RCW 1.12.080 requires that the interpretation of the term "spouse" be applied equally to state-registered domestic partners. The board is considering establishing requirements to allow military spouses and domestic partners to obtain the temporary practice permit.

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.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. Interested parties can participate in the rule process through meetings and by submitting written comments, and are encouraged to join the listserv at http://listserv.wa.gov/cgi-bin/wa?A0=PODIATRY-BOARD. Please address any questions and/or comments to Susan Gragg, Program Manager, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504-7852, phone (360) 236-4941, fax (360) 236-2901, email susan.gragg@doh.wa.gov.

May 30, 2017

Blake T. Maresh

Executive Director