WSR 20-07-054

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

[Filed March 11, 2020, 3:50 p.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 246-15 WAC, Whistleblower complaints in health care settings, the department of health (department) is considering revising sections of this chapter to implement SHB 1049 (chapter 62, Laws of 2019) and to ensure the rules are clear, up to date, and align with best practices.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: SHB 1049 (chapter 62, Laws of 2019) which amended RCW 43.70.075.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Rule making is necessary to align rule definitions and criteria with current law, which expanded whistleblower protections. These rule updates are needed to ensure consistency and enforceability.

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 Marlee O'Neill, P.O. Box 47850, Olympia, WA 98504-7850, phone 360-236-4845, TTY 711, email marlee.o'neill@doh.wa.gov.

Additional comments: Interested parties may receive emails or text alerts about this rule-making effort by subscribing to GovDelivery at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/WADOH/subscriber/new.

March 10, 2020

Jessica Todorovich

Chief of Staff

for John Wiesman, DrPH, MPH

Secretary