WSR 97-19-065

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

SUPERINTENDENT OF

PUBLIC INSTRUCTION

[Filed September 15, 1997, 3:45 p.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 392-182-020 Quick verification of immunization records.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 28A.210.150, the Superintendent of Public Instruction by rule to adopt procedures for verifying records.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Current WAC requires the chief administrator of the new school to verify the immunization status of the student prior to excluding the student. Need to add language permitting administrator or administrator's designee to verify immunization status by telephonic or electronic communication.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The Department of Health, in the September 1997 Immunization Manual (page 45) states that only a school nurse can verify a transfer student's immunization status by telephone or FAX with an official at the student's previous school due to confidentiality laws (chapter 70.02 RCW).

Process for Developing New Rule: School nurses do not have the time to verify immunization status with a previous school. This should be, as in the past, a clerical activity.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Linda Johnson, Manager, Immunization Program, Department of Health, (360) 753-3495, should be informed to send out a correction to the manual when WAC 392-182-020 has been amended. The proposed amendment has been discussed with Joyce McCollough, acting for Linda Johnson, and she supports our proposal to amend the WAC.

September 15, 1997

Dr. Terry Bergeson

Superintendent of