WSR 20-17-025

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

(Board of Optometry)

[Filed August 6, 2020, 3:34 p.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 246-851 Optometrists, the board of optometry (board) is considering adding a new section to chapter 246-851 WAC for suicide prevention education, and repealing WAC 246-851-430 AIDS prevention education requirements.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 18.54.070; ESHB 1551 (chapter 76, Laws of 2020); ESHB 2411 (chapter 229, Laws of 2020).

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: ESHB 1551 repeals RCW 70.24.270 which requires optometrists and other health professionals to complete AIDS education and training. ESHB 2411 amends RCW 43.70.442, directing the board to adopt rules that require a one-time training in suicide assessment, treatment, and management. The board is considering rule making on both topics to comply with these legislative mandates.

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 Loralei Walker, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504-7853 [7852], phone 360-236-4947, fax 360-236-2901, TTY 711, email loralei.walker@doh.wa.gov, website www.doh.wa.gov.

Additional comments: Please subscribe to receive notices regarding this rule making by going to www.doh.wa.gov. Please click on the green "Subscribe" button at the bottom right of the page. Once you register, select (+)"Health Systems Quality Assurance (HSQA)," (+)"Health Professions," then select "Optometry Board."

August 6, 2020

Brad Burnham

Executive Director

Office of Health Professions