WSR 24-04-082

EXPEDITED RULES

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

(Board of Physical Therapy)

[Filed February 5, 2024, 11:34 a.m.]

Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Physical therapy licensure compact; updating the reference date to the most recent physical therapy licensure compact rules. The board of physical therapy (board) is proposing to update the effective date in WAC 246-915A-010 for the physical therapy compact per RCW 18.74.500, Article IX(2). This proposed rule will update the compact effective date to June 27, 2023.      

Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The purpose of this proposal is to update the effective date in WAC to the compact rules most recent version, June 27, 2023, and to make a housekeeping change to a web address. The compact commission rules are not effective in Washington unless the board approves and adopts the rules.

The physical therapy compact commission rules, effective June 27, 2023, make the following changes:

(1) Updates to match the model compact language.

(2) Adds a definition of "board administrator" to mean an individual serving as administrative staff to a member state's physical therapy licensing board.

(3) Adds new rule 4.2 to make a technical correction to the citation for "active duty military" in Section 2 of the model statute.

Reasons Supporting Proposal: The board is proposing amendments to comply with RCW 18.74.500, Article IX(2), which mandates that the board must update the effective date of the compact rules to participate in the compact in the state of Washington.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 18.74.023 and 18.74.500, Article IX(2).

Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

Name of Proponent: Board of physical therapy, governmental.

Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation, and Enforcement: Allyson McIver, 111 Israel Road S.E., Tumwater, WA 98501, 360-236-2878.

This notice meets the following criteria to use the expedited adoption process for these rules:

Adopts or incorporates by reference without material change federal statutes or regulations, Washington state statutes, rules of other Washington state agencies, shoreline master programs other than those programs governing shorelines of statewide significance, or, as referenced by Washington state law, national consensus codes that generally establish industry standards, if the material adopted or incorporated regulates the same subject matter and conduct as the adopting or incorporating rule.

Corrects typographical errors, makes address or name changes, or clarifies language of a rule without changing its effect.

Explanation of the Reason the Agency Believes the Expedited Rule-Making Process is Appropriate: The proposed amendments adopt by reference, without material change, the most recent version of the physical therapy licensure compact and compact commission rules updated on June 27, 2023. The proposed amendments update the rule to the most recent version of the compact and correct a website address error.

NOTICE

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 Allyson McIver, Program Manager, Department of Health, Board of Physical Therapy, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504-7852, phone 360-236-2878, fax 360-236-2901, email https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/policyreview/, physical.therapy@doh.wa.gov, AND RECEIVED BY April 8, 2024.

February 5, 2024

Kathryn Dale, PT, Chair

Physical Therapy Board

OTS-5120.2