Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 246-847-010 Occupational therapy definitions, 246-847-XXX Standards of supervision, 246-847-020 Persons exempt from the definition of an occupational therapy aide, and 246-847-130 Definition for "commonly accepted standards for the profession."

     Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 18.59.130 Board -- Powers and duties -- Rules.

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The board is considering changes that will address concerns expressed by practitioners regarding unclear definitions and appropriate levels of supervision. The board will consider eliminating unnecessary definitions, clarifying existing definitions and ensuring protection of the public by updating the supervision standards for occupational therapy assistants and aides to be consistent with the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) guidelines. The board initiated this process under an earlier CR-101, which was withdrawn because it did not clearly cover the desired scope of the rule change.

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

     Process for Developing New Rule: Collaborative rule making.

     Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. Interested parties were invited to participate in drafting the proposed language under the previous CR-101. Interested parties will be notified via listserv of any additional rule-writing workshops that may be necessary and to the public hearing. Interested parties may also submit written comments for consideration to Department of Health, Vicki Brown, Program Manager, P.O. Box 47867, Olympia, WA 98504-7867, phone (360) 236-4865, fax (360) 664-9077.

July 17, 2006

Vicki Brown

Program Manager

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