WSR 24-13-111

PERMANENT RULES

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

[Filed June 20, 2024, 8:11 a.m., effective July 21, 2024]

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing.

Purpose: Audiologist and speech-language pathology interstate compact (ASLP-IC) fees and renewal cycle. The department of health (department), in consultation with the board of hearing and speech, is adopting new WAC 246-828-991 to implement HB 1001 (chapter 53, Laws of 2023). HB 1001, codified in chapter 18.35A RCW, entered Washington state into the ASLP-IC for audiologists and speech-language pathologists and gave member states the discretion to charge a fee for granting compact privileges.

The ASLP-IC is a formal agreement enacted into law among participating states that allows member states to grant practice privileges to licensed audiologists and speech-language pathologists from other states. Under the ASLP-IC, licensees who wish to practice in, but live outside of, Washington may obtain privilege to practice in Washington or any other participating member state. The purpose of entering into the ASLP-IC is to improve public access to audiology and speech-language pathology services.

RCW 18.35A.030(10) allows the state of Washington to collect fees for granting the compact privilege of practicing in the state. The adopted rule sets a fee and a renewal cycle for granting practice privileges in Washington through the compact. Setting a fee and renewal cycle is necessary because RCW 43.70.250 requires that the costs of each professional licensing program be fully borne by members of that profession. Additionally, the office of financial management requires professions maintain a reasonable cash reserve to cover fluctuations in cash flow and operating expenses. The adopted rule is needed to ensure the department is in alignment with RCW 43.70.250, and chapter 18.35A RCW, and to ensure that there is sufficient funding to recover the costs of issuing a license for compact privileges in Washington state.

Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: New WAC 246-828-991.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: HB 1001 (chapter 53, Laws of 2023); RCW 43.70.110, 43.70.250, and 43.70.280.

Other Authority: Chapter 18.35A RCW.

Adopted under notice filed as WSR 24-07-064 on March 15, 2024.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Date Adopted: June 20 2024.

Kristin Peterson, JD

Chief of Policy

for Umair A. Shah, MD, MPH

Secretary

OTS-5215.1