PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: The department is exploring the possibility of rule making to address patient exposure limits, quality assurance standards for x-ray film processors, updating rules to reflect current national standards, and clarifying and streamlining existing rules.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapter 70.98 RCW.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Following the lead of the FDA in mammography, the department will be addressing a public health concern regarding exposure limits for patients and quality in x-ray film processing. Also, the rule needs to be updated to reflect recent changes in national standards. The department's rule review, as required by Executive Order 97-02, indicated the necessity to revise these rules for clarity and more usability.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The department will coordinate any rule revision with federal laws and regulations applicable to x-ray.
Process for Developing New Rule: The department will recruit interested people to assist in rule development and rule writing.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. The department will use workgroups to discuss the implications of developing rules and to develop rule language. Anyone interested in participating in a workgroup should contact Mike Odlaug at (360) 236-3237 (Olympia) or writing him at X-ray Control, Department of Health, P.O. Box 47827, Olympia, WA 98504-7827.
July 24, 2000
M. C. Selecky
Secretary