WSR 20-03-173

PROPOSED RULES

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

[Filed January 22, 2020, 9:00 a.m.]

Original Notice.

Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 19-20-076.

Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: WAC 246-933-990 Veterinarian fees and renewal cycle and 246-935-990 Veterinary technician fees and renewal cycle, the department of health (department) is proposing to add a fee to provide access to the University of Washington's (UW) Health Science Library online clinical resources, a web portal referred to as "HEAL-WA." The proposed fee would implement SB 5000 (chapter 140, Laws of 2019) which added veterinarians and veterinary technicians to the list of health profession licensees participating in HEAL-WA. The department is also proposing a reduction in fees for duplication and verification services.

Hearing Location(s): On February 28, 2020, at 9:00 a.m., at the Department of Health, Town Center 2, 111 Israel Road S.E., Room 166/167, Tumwater, WA 98504.

Date of Intended Adoption: March 6, 2020.

Submit Written Comments to: Cori Tarzwell, P.O. Box 47850, Olympia, WA 98504, email https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/policyreview, fax 360-236-4738, HSQAfeerules@doh.wa.gov, by February 28, 2020.

Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Cori Tarzwell, phone 360-236-4981, TTY 360-833-6388 or 711, email HSQAfeerules@doh.wa.gov, by February 21, 2020.

Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The purpose of the proposal is twofold. First, the department is proposing to add a required fee to the initial and renewal licenses for veterinarians and veterinary technicians that will allow access to the HEAL-WA web portal. This change is responsive to SB 5000, passed in the 2019 legislative session. Secondly, the department is proposing to reduce the service fees for a license duplication or verification in order to align and standardize those fees across the licenses for all health professions.

Reasons Supporting Proposal: As dictated by statute, rule making is required to establish the HEAL-WA fee for veterinarians and veterinary technicians. The HEAL-WA web portal supports public health by providing the participating practitioners with access to the latest evidence based health care information. Having access to current, peer reviewed, clinical information improves a practitioner's ability to respond to patient questions, develop treatment plans, and deliver quality care to their patients. Fee reductions for duplication and verification of a license is part of the department's effort to standardize these fees across health professional licenses given the amount and type of work is the same.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 43.70.112, 43.70.250, 43.70.280, and SB 5000 (chapter 140, Laws of 2019).

Statute Being Implemented: SB 5000 (chapter 140, Laws of 2019) and RCW 43.70.250.

Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

Name of Proponent: Department of health, governmental.

Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Cori Tarzwell, 111 Israel Road S.E., Tumwater, WA 98501, 360-236-4981; Implementation and Enforcement: Loralei Walker, 111 Israel Road S.E., Tumwater, WA 98501, 360-236-4947.

A school district fiscal impact statement is not required under RCW 28A.305.135.

A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. The agency did not complete a cost-benefit analysis under RCW 34.05.328. RCW 34.05.328 (5)(b)(vi) exempts rules that set or adjust fees or rates pursuant to legislative standards.

This rule proposal, or portions of the proposal, is exempt from requirements of the Regulatory Fairness Act because the proposal:

Is exempt under RCW 19.85.025(3) as the rules set or adjust fees under the authority of RCW 19.02.075 or that set or adjust fees or rates pursuant to legislative standards, including fees set or adjusted under the authority of RCW 19.80.045.

January 17, 2020

John Wiesman, DrPH, MPH

Secretary