Subject of Possible Rule Making: EMS and trauma prehospital standards, WAC 246-976-010 through 246-976-400, and 246-976-920.

     Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapters 18.71, 18.73, and 70.168 RCW.

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: These standards establish qualifications for the issuance, suspension or revocation of a prehospital agency license and EMS provider certification. The Administrative Procedure Act (APA), chapter 34.05 RCW, requires that any agency practice that establishes "any qualification or standard for the issuance, suspension, or revocation of licenses to pursue any profession" be addressed in rule. These standards must be adopted into rule to be enforceable. Portions of the current WAC have not been reviewed since the year 2000, while other sections have been revised more recently. All identified sections need to be reviewed and updated to reflect current practice, or to make the language more clear and/or concise.

     Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: No other agencies regulate this subject.

     Process for Developing New Rule: Statutory and other EMS and trauma committees, as well as other constituents and the public, will be able to participate in the review and any necessary drafting of proposed language through open public meetings, mailings, e-mail, and posts to the DOH rules comment web site. In addition, public workshop(s) are anticipated to be held on both the westside and the eastside of the state. A formal public hearing will be held before new and/or revised language is adopted.

     Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. Any questions or concerns regarding the prehospital standards or the process to be used, as described above, should contact Jack Cvitanovic, Manager, Licensing and Certification, Office of Emergency Medical Services and Trauma System, P.O. Box 47853, Olympia, WA 98504-7853, e-mail jack.cvitanovic@doh.wa.gov, phone (360) 236-2848 or fax (360) 236-2829.

July 5, 2005

M. C. Selecky

Secretary

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