Subject of Possible Rule Making: Athletic trainers and medications in chapter 246-916 WAC, Athletic trainers. The department of health (department) and the athletic training advisory committee (committee) are proposing to create a new section in the athletic trainer rules in response to SHB 1275 (chapter 143, Laws of 2023). Rule making is necessary to clarify that athletic trainers are not permitted to purchase, store, or administer controlled substances, and to clarify training requirements for an athletic trainer to purchase, store, and administer medications.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Rule making is necessary to clarify that athletic trainers are not permitted to purchase, store, or administer controlled substances, and to clarify training requirements for an athletic trainer to purchase, store, and administer medications.

SHB 1275 authorizes athletic trainers to purchase, store, and administer over-the-counter medications as prescribed by an authorized health care practitioner for the practice of athletic training and permits athletic trainers who have completed accredited training programs on pharmacology and medication administration to purchase, store, and administer medications in accordance with the accredited training programs, as prescribed by an authorized health care practitioner for the practice of athletic training. Rule making will ensure there is clarity regarding the kinds of training that will be acceptable, and will also clarify that for the purposes of this chapter, medications do not include controlled substances.

The department had previously filed a CR 101 as WSR 23-07-128 for rules regarding athletic training, but is withdrawing that and refiling this new one to include implementation of SHB 1275.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Allyson McIver, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504-7852, phone 360-236-2878, fax 360-236-2901, TTY 711, email allyson.mciver@doh.wa.gov, website www.doh.wa.gov.

Additional comments: Interested parties can participate in the drafting of the proposed rules. The department will be conducting rules workshops with interested parties and subject matter experts. The department will use existing GovDelivery lists and other known 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, and select the "Subscribe" button at the bottom of the page. After signing in, please click open the box labeled "Health Systems Quality Assurance." Next, click open the box labeled "Health Professions," and then click on "Athletic Training." You may also check the box next to one or more of the other professions listed to receive information related to that specific profession.