Subject of Possible Rule Making: Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact (ASLP-IC) fees and renewal cycle. The department of health (department) is considering establishing new WAC 246-828-991 to implement HB 1001 (chapter 53, Laws of 2023), which establishes the ASLP-IC and gives member states the discretion to charge a fee for granting compact privileges.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: HB 1001 (chapter 53, Laws of 2023); RCW 43.70.110, 43.70.250, and 43.70.280.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: HB 1001 (chapter 53, Laws of 2023) creates a new interstate licensing compact for audiologists and speech-language pathologists and gives member states the discretion to charge a fee for granting compact privileges. RCW 43.70.250 requires that the costs of licensing each profession be fully borne by the members of that profession. Establishing fees in rule is necessary to ensure the department is in line with RCW 43.70.250. Fees need to be sufficient to cover the costs of licensing the professions.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Kim-Boi Shadduck, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504, phone 360-236-2912, fax 360-236-2901, TTY 360-833-6388 or 711, email kimboi.shadduck@doh.wa.gov, website www.doh.wa.gov.

Additional comments: Interested parties can participate in the drafting of the proposed rule. The board will be conducting rules workshops with interested parties and subject matter experts. The board will use existing GovDelivery lists and other know[n] contact information to inform interested parties of opportunities to provide input on proposed rule language. To find out more information about our rule making, visit www.doh.wa.gov. To subscribe to GovDelivery, please visit www.doh.wa.gov, select the "Subscribe" button at the bottom of the page, select "Health Professions," and then select "Board of Hearing and Speech" and any other topics you wish to follow.