Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 246-930 WAC, Sex offender treatment providers (SOTP). The department of health (department) is opening the chapter to consider necessary amendments regarding definitions, required experience, professional standards, and other topics as identified by the SOTP advisory committee (committee), licensees, interested parties, and the department.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The department is considering amending chapter 246-930 WAC at the recommendation of the committee. As part of its responsibility under RCW 18.155.100 to advise the department concerning certification procedures, standards, workforce issues, and regulatory or administrative practices, the advisory committee has conducted a review of chapter 246-930 WAC and identified multiple areas that needed to be updated or clarified. This may include amending rules concerning definitions, required experience, professional standards, and other topics as appropriate. By opening the entire chapter, the department will be able to consider all necessary changes to help resolve issues identified by the committee, reported by licensees, or identified by the department.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The department of social and health services contracts with some SOTPs and determines when SOTPs are eligible for department fee waivers. The department of corrections is indirectly involved in this profession, as it employs individuals who provide treatment to sex offenders. The committee contains appointed members representing these agencies who can provide guidance on how the agencies could be impacted by potential rule making. Additionally, [the] program will coordinate rule making directly with impacted agencies when appropriate.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Brandon Williams, Office of Health Professions, P.O. Box 47850, Olympia, WA 98504-7850, phone 360-236-4611, TTY 711, email brandon.williams@doh.wa.gov, website www.doh.wa.gov.

Additional comments: Rule-making notices will be delivered via GovDelivery. To receive notices, interested persons may sign up for the SOTP lists. Please go to https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/WADOH/subscriber/new. After signing in, please click open the box labeled "Health Systems Quality Assurance." Next, click open the box labeled "Health Professions." From there, you may check the box next to SOTP.