Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 18.79.110 Commission--Duties and powers--Rules--Successor to boards.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: During the mandatory rules review process under Executive Order 97-02, the Nursing Commission identified several problem areas with the current language of the "mandatory reporting" rule.

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

Process for Developing New Rule: A public meeting was held October 1997, to elicit comments on the rule. Based on these comments the Nursing Commission decided to move forward with possible amendments. Public rules writing workgroup meetings will be held May 26, 1998, beginning at 12:30 p.m. at Department of Health, 1101 Eastside Street, Olympia, WA and May 27th beginning at 1:00 p.m. at Cavanaugh's Inn at the Park, 303 West North River Drive, Spokane, WA.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Terry J. West, Department of Health, P.O. Box 47864, Olympia, WA 98504, phone (360) 664-4207, FAX (360) 586-2165.

April 9, 1998

Terry J. West

Co-Acting Executive Director