WSR 20-09-110

PROPOSED RULES

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

[Filed April 16, 2020, 3:52 p.m.]

Original Notice.

Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 19-21-158.

Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: WAC 246-916-065 Athletic trainer suicide prevention education, the department of health is proposing creating a new section of rule to establish continuing education requirements on suicide prevention education for athletic trainers as required by ESSB 5688 (chapter 358, Laws of 2019).

Hearing Location(s): On May 28, 2020, at 10:00 a.m.

In response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) public health emergency, the department of health will not provide a physical location for this hearing to promote social distancing and the safety of the citizens of Washington state. A virtual public hearing, without a physical meeting space, will be held instead.

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Date of Intended Adoption: June 4, 2020.

Submit Written Comments to: Bruce Bronoske, Jr., Washington State Department of Health, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504, email https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/policyreview, fax 360-236-4901, bruce.bronoske@doh.wa.gov, by May 28, 2020.

Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Bruce Bronoske, Jr., phone 360-236-4843, fax 360-236-4901, TTY 711, email bruce.bronoske@doh.wa.gov, by May 21, 2020.

Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: ESSB 5688 amends RCW 43.70.442 directing the secretary of health to adopt rules to establish a one-time continuing education and training requirement for athletic trainers on suicide prevention education. RCW 43.70.442 instructs the department to determine whether a three hour or a six hour education course should be required. The department determined that six hours was necessary in order to include content specific to the assessment of issues related to imminent harm via lethal means. The educational requirements proposed in this rule will increase athletic trainer's knowledge and understanding of suicide prevention and will better prepare athletic trainers if they encounter suicidal patients. It is the ultimate goal that this requirement will help save the lives of Washington residents.

Reasons Supporting Proposal: The educational requirements proposed in this new section will increase athletic trainer's knowledge and understanding of suicidal ideation and better prepare athletic trainers if they encounter suicidal patients. The goal of both ESSB 5688 and RCW 43.70.442 is to save the lives of Washington residents, and the department proposes to achieve that goal through establishment of this rule.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 43.70.442 as amended by ESSB 5688 (chapter 358, Laws of 2019).

Statute Being Implemented: ESSB 5688 (chapter 358, Laws of 2019).

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

Name of Proponent: Washington state department of health, governmental.

Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation, and Enforcement: Bruce Bronoske, Jr., 111 Israel Road S.E., Tumwater, WA 98501, 360-236-4843.

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

A cost-benefit analysis is required under RCW 34.05.328. A preliminary cost-benefit analysis may be obtained by contacting Bruce Bronoske, Jr., P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504, phone 360-236-4843, fax 360-236-4901, TTY 711, email bruce.bronoske@doh.wa.gov.

The proposed rule does not impose more-than-minor costs on businesses. Following is a summary of the agency's analysis showing how costs were calculated. The proposed rules do not impact businesses, only an individual's license.

April 16, 2020

Jessica Todorovich

Chief of Staff

for John Wiesman, DrPH, MPH

Secretary of Health

NEW SECTION

WAC 246-916-065Athletic trainer suicide prevention education.

Effective August 1, 2020, a licensed athletic trainer must complete a secretary-approved one-time training that is at least six hours in length for suicide assessment that includes screening, referral, and imminent harm via lethal means elements.

(1) This training must be completed by the end of the first full continuing education reporting period after August 1, 2020, or during the first full continuing education reporting period after initial licensure, whichever is later.

(2) Training accepted by the secretary must be on the department's model list as authorized in chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 14.

(3) Training completed between July 23, 2019, and August 1, 2020, that meets the requirements of subsection (2) or (3) of this section, is accepted as meeting the one-time training requirement of this section.

(4) The hours spent completing the training in suicide assessment under this section count toward meeting applicable continuing education requirements for athletic training license renewal.