Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 246-915 WAC, Physical therapists and physical therapist assistants, the board of physical therapy (board) is considering necessary changes to existing rules for physical therapist supervision of assistive personnel per HB 2446 (chapter 222, Laws of 2018). The board is also proposing chapter amendments to make general updates, revisions, and housekeeping amendments.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The board is considering revising existing rules to comply with HB 2446. The bill amended RCW 18.74.010 and changed the definitions of "Physical therapy aide" and "assistive personnel." The bill also amended RCW 18.74.180 and changed the requirements for when a licensed physical therapist needs to reevaluate a patient, who has received patient care from a physical therapist assistant or other assistive personnel, and changed the supervisor-assistive personnel ratio. Rule making is necessary to update existing rules to comply with HB 2446.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Kris Waidely, P.O. Box 47852, phone 360-236-4847, fax 360-236-2901, TTY 360-833-6388 or 711, email kris.waidely@doh.wa.gov, web site doh.wa.gov.

Additional comments: Notices will be emailed through GovDelivery (https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/WADOH/subscriber/new) to the board's interested parties list. At the formal proposal stage of rule making, proposed rule language will be posted on the department's rules comments web site for public comment up to the date of the public hearing. All members of the public are invited to participate in the rule-making rules workshops and attend the rules public hearing to provide comments and testimony.