WSR 17-16-125

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed July 31, 2017, 2:00 p.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 246-828-020, 246-828-025, 246-828-040, 246-828-045, 246-828-04503, 246-828-04505, 246-828-112 and 246-828-600, the board of hearing and speech is considering amending these rule sections to update examination standards and approval of educational programs for hearing aid specialists, clarify educational requirements for speech-language pathology assistants, and clarify supervision requirements of interim permit holders and speech-language pathology assistants.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 18.35.161.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The board is considering updating these rule sections to update examination standards and approval of educational programs for hearing aid specialists. The board is also considering approval of out-of-country educational programs for speech-language pathology assistants, and clarifying methods of supervision of speech-language pathology assistants. In addition, the board is considering revising supervision requirements of interim permit holders to clarify the amount of hours needed during the postgraduate supervision period and accept supervised hours completed under speech-language pathologists who are certified as educational staff associates. Rules are needed to implement these changes.

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 can participate in the rule-making process by providing comments on proposed language and/or attending a rules workshop. Notices will be sent to interested parties through listserv and email. Send written comments to Janette Benham, Program Manager, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504-7852, (360) 236-4857, fax (360) 236-2901, or email Janette.benham@doh.wa.gov.

July 31, 2017

Hal Hunsaker

Chair