Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 246-843-XXX Temporary practice permit—Military spouse and state-registered domestic partner eligibility and issuance, the board of nursing home administrators (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 nursing home administrator.

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. This may include federal background checks for applicants who apply for endorsement from another state. RCW 1.12.080 requires that the interpretation of the term "spouse" be applied equally to state-registered domestic partners. The board is considering adoption of rules to establish a process and requirements to allow military spouses and domestic partners to obtain the temporary practice permit.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Kendra Pitzler, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504-7852, phone 360-236-4723, fax 360-236-2901, TTY 360-833-6388 or 711, email kendra.pitzler@doh.wa.gov.

Additional comments: Interested parties will be notified of opportunities to participate in the decision to adopt new rules by joining the interested parties list. The link can be found at https://www.doh.wa.gov/LicensesPermitsandCertificates/ProfessionsNewReneworUpdate/NursingHomeAdministrator/RulesinProgress.