Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 246-976 WAC, Emergency medical services (EMS) and trauma care systems, the department of health (department) is considering updating existing sections of this chapter relating to EMS data to respond to requirements under SSB 5380 (section 19, chapter 314, Laws of 2019). New sections may be created as needed.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 43.70.040, 18.73.081; and SSB 5380 (section 19, chapter 314, Laws of 2019) codified in RCW 70.168.090.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Updates to existing sections of chapter 246-976 WAC and the establishment of new sections may be needed to align existing ambulance and aid service requirements with RCW 70.168.090, as revised under SSB 5380. RCW 70.168.090 now requires licensed ambulance and aid services to report patient data electronically to the department and allow for certain data sharing for the purpose of substance abuse treatment. It is anticipated that amendments to existing EMS data rules and new sections may need to be created to ensure clear and concise data submission standards and to produce quality, usable data for improving standards of care and best practice for the benefit and safety of the public.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Jim Jansen, P.O. Box 47853, Olympia, 98504, phone 360-236-2821, fax 360-236-2830, TTY 711, email jim.jansen@doh.wa.gov, website https://doh.wa.gov; or Sarah Studebaker, P.O. Box 47853, Olympia, WA 98504, phone 360-236-2833, fax 360-236-2830, TTY 711, email sara.studebaker@doh.wa.gov, website https://doh.wa.gov.

Additional comments: Interested parties may participate in the development of draft rules prior to a formal proposal by joining the interested parties list (GovDelivery) at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/WADOH/subscriber/new, and may provide input on draft and proposed materials. Interested parties may receive information on how to participate by contacting Jim Jansen, Washington Emergency Medical Services Information System Manager, at Department of Health, P.O. Box 47853, Olympia, WA 98504-7853, phone 360-236-28421[2821], fax 360-236-2830, email jim.jansen@doh.wa.gov.