Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapters 246-490 WAC, Vital statistics and chapter 246-491 WAC, Vital statistics—Certificates, the department is considering adopting new rules and amending existing rules that will identify the information displayed on certification of birth, certification of death, short form certification of death, and informational copy of birth and death records, including allowing a nonbinary sex designation option to be added to a death certificate. The rules may also establish a formalized procedure including required documentation to obtain certifications and informational copies of birth and death records, adopt fees associated with the issuance of certifications and informational copies, make technical updates to statutory references as necessary, and repeal several obsolete sections.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: ESSB 5332 (chapter 148, Laws of 2019) replaces the current vital statistics statute, chapter 70.58 RCW. It limits the release of certifications of birth and death records to qualified applicants only, creates a short form certification of death that does not display cause and manner of death, allows for the release of informational copies of birth and death records to the public, and requires a nonbinary sex designation option on vital records. It also requires the department and local health jurisdictions to review identity documentation and evidence of eligibility of qualified applicants before issuing a certification of birth and death. Through rule making the department can prescribe the information displayed on certifications and informational copies of birth and death records, establish a formalized procedure and enforceable standards for certifications and informational copies of birth and death records, adopt fees associated with the issuance of certifications and informational copies, make technical updates, and repeal obsolete rules.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Katitza Holthaus, P.O. Box 47814, phone 360-236-4311, fax 360-753-4135, TTY 360-833-6388 or 711, email katitza.holthaus@doh.wa.gov, web site http://www.doh.wa.gov/AboutUs/RuleMaking.

Additional comments: Interested parties can participate in the drafting of the proposed rule. The department will use existing listserv and other known contact information to inform stakeholders of opportunities to provide input on proposed rule language. To be included on an interested parties list, contact Katitza Holthaus.