Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: WAC 246-919-380 (allopathic physicians) AIDS prevention and information education requirements and WAC 246-918-080 (allopathic physician assistants) requirements for licensure. The Washington medical commission (commission) proposes repealing WAC 246-919-380 and amending WAC 246-918-080 to repeal subsection (2)(d) to implement ESHB 1551, modernizing the control of certain communicable diseases (chapter 76, Laws of 2020), which repealed specific statutory authority.

Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: Section 22(11) of ESHB 1551 repeals RCW 70.24.270 Health professionals—Rules for AIDS education and training, to no longer require health professionals to obtain AIDS education and training. As a result of this law being repealed, the commission proposes to repeal requirements for AIDS training included in WAC 246-919-380 and 246-918-080 (2)(d).

The intent of ESHB 1551 is to help reduce stigma towards people living with HIV/AIDS by not singling out AIDS as an exceptional disease that requires specific training and education separate from other health conditions.

Reasons Supporting Proposal: When Washington adopted statutes concerning AIDS, very little was known about the disease compared to today. Now, AIDS is very treatable and preventable. In 2014, Governor Inslee issued a proclamation including efforts to reduce stigma, which included updating state law. ESHB 1551 repeals statutes concerning AIDS education and training for emergency medical personnel, health professionals, and health care facility employees, which helps reduce stigma towards people living with HIV/AIDS by not singling out AIDS as an exceptional disease that requires specific training and education separate from other health conditions.

Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Amelia Boyd, 111 Israel Road S.E., Tumwater, WA 98501, 360-236-2727; Implementation and Enforcement: Melanie de Leon, 111 Israel Road S.E., Tumwater, WA 98501, 360-236-2755.

Explanation of the Reason the Agency Believes the Expedited Rule-Making Process is Appropriate: ESHB 1551 (chapter 76, Laws of 2020) repeals RCW 70.240.270, the statutues [statutes] in which the commission rules are based.

THIS RULE IS BEING PROPOSED UNDER AN EXPEDITED RULE-MAKING PROCESS THAT WILL ELIMINATE THE NEED FOR THE AGENCY TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARINGS, PREPARE A SMALL BUSINESS ECONOMIC IMPACT STATEMENT, OR PROVIDE RESPONSES TO THE CRITERIA FOR A SIGNIFICANT LEGISLATIVE RULE. IF YOU OBJECT TO THIS USE OF THE EXPEDITED RULE-MAKING PROCESS, YOU MUST EXPRESS YOUR OBJECTIONS IN WRITING AND THEY MUST BE SENT TO Amelia Boyd, Program Manager, Department of Health, P.O. Box 47866, phone 360-236-2727, email https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/policyreview AND RECEIVED BY March 8, 2021.

(1) Except for a physician assistant licensed prior to July 1, 1999, individuals applying to the commission for licensure as a physician assistant must have graduated from an accredited commission approved physician assistant program and successfully passed the NCCPA examination.

(2) An applicant for licensure as a physician assistant must submit to the commission:

(a) A completed application on forms provided by the commission;

(b) Proof the applicant has completed an accredited commission approved physician assistant program and successfully passed the NCCPA examination;

(d) ((Proof of completion of four clock hours of AIDS education as required in chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 8; and

(e))) Other information required by the commission.

(3) The commission will only consider complete applications with all supporting documents for licensure.

(4) A physician assistant may not begin practicing without written commission approval of a delegation agreement.