PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Cancer registry.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 43.20.050, 43.70.130, 70.54.270.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The existing rules have four areas which should be addressed to streamline reporting obligations and provide clarity to the rules. (1) Eliminate in situ cancer of the cervix from the reportable list, remove tobacco history and modify method of reporting stage in the data items list. (2) Amend rule to include specific language to encourage electronic reporting methods. (3) Address ambiguity in the law regarding the reporting obligations of contractors vs. hospitals and clinics. (4) Clarify the rule relating to the disclose of confidential data for public health vs. research purposes.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: Public Law 102-515 Cancer Registries Amendment Act, enacted October 24, 1992, and regulated by the National Program of Cancer Registries of the Center for disease Control and Prevention. The CDC publishes a list of criteria for meeting Public Law 102-595. The rules governing the reporting of cancer are reviewed against those criteria.
Process for Developing New Rule: See paragraph below.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Valerie Spadt, Department of Health, WSCR, P.O. Box 47835, Olympia, WA 98584 [98504], (360) 236-3624, vjs1303@doh.wa.gov.
Proposed changes to the rules will be reviewed by the Advisory Council to the Washington State Cancer Registry and a technical work group. Proposed rules changes will then be reviewed and discussed at public work sessions held throughout the state.
October 1, 1999
Eric Slagle
for Mary Selecky
Secretary