WSR 18-01-076 PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH [Filed December 15, 2017, 8:21 a.m.] Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 246-916 WAC, Athletic trainers, the department of health is considering clarifying who an "authorized volunteer" is. Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 18.250.020. Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Rule making may be necessary [to] clarify who is acting as an "authorized volunteer." RCW 18.250.050(5) exempts authorized volunteers from the requirement to obtain an athletic trainer license. However, authorized volunteer is not defined in the chapter. The athletic training advisory committee, which advises the secretary of health on rule making, has heard concerns that organizations are using minimally trained minors and students to fulfill athletic training duties. These duties may include concussion assessments, return to play evaluations and other tasks which require health care training and may be occurring without any supervision of the volunteer. Authorized volunteers may be called on to provide on the spot assessment of injuries, including concussion without an athletic trainer license. Traumatic brain injury and concussion detection is critical in ensuring the safety of Washington athletes. Rules are intended to provide high standards of care for participants in athletic training programs and in the care of authorized volunteers. 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 by contacting Bruce Bronoske, Jr., P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504-7852, phone 360-236-4843, fax 360-236-2901, TTY 360-833-6388 or 711, email Bruce.Bronoske@doh.wa.gov, web site https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/WADOH/subscriber/new. Additional comments: 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 GovDelivery and email. December 15, 2017 John Wiesman, DrPH, MPH Secretary |