Subject of Possible Rule Making: Occupational therapy temporary permits and fees updates. The occupational therapy practice board (board) and the department of health (department) are considering amendments to WAC 246-847-117 Temporary permits, in response to 2SHB 1009 (chapter 165, Laws of 2023), the Washington Military Spouse Employment Act. The board and the department will also consider amending WAC 246-847-990 Occupational therapy fees and renewal cycle, to establish a fee to cover the cost of the temporary permit.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 18.59.130, 43.70.110, 43.70.250, 43.70.280; and 2SHB 1009 (chapter 165, Laws of 2023).

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: 2SHB 1009 creates requirements for issuing a temporary permit to military spouses and requires that a temporary permit be issued to a military spouse for no less than 180 days. Under current rule, temporary permits are issued for only 90 days. Additionally, there is no fee established for a temporary permit in rule. The board and the department will consider amending these rule sections to align the temporary permit rule with 2SHB 1009 and will consider making changes to the fee section to cover costs.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Kathy Weed, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504-7852, phone 360-236-4883, TTY 711, email kathy.weed@doh.wa.gov, website doh.wa.gov, https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/WADOH/subscriber/new.

Additional comments: Interested parties can participate in drafting the proposed rules. The department and the board will be conducting rules workshops with interested parties and subject matter experts. The department and the board will use the GovDelivery occupational therapy practice board list and other known contact information to inform interested parties of opportunities to provide input on proposed rule language.

To subscribe to GovDelivery, 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" and then click on "occupational therapy practice board." You may also check the box next to one or more of the other professions listed to receive information related to that specific profession.