WSR 15-22-074 PROPOSED RULES DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (Board of Naturopathy) [Filed November 2, 2015, 2:25 p.m.]
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 13-21-028.
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: WAC 246-836-080 Continuing competency program, amending continuing competency requirements for naturopathic physicians to clarify completion frequency and deadlines, and to include suicide prevention training.
Hearing Location(s): Department of Health, Town Center 2 (TC2), Room 145, 111 Israel Road S.E., Tumwater, WA 98501, on December 18, 2015, at 1:00 p.m.
Date of Intended Adoption: December 18, 2015.
Submit Written Comments to: Susan Gragg, Program Manager, Department of Health, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504-7852, e-mail http://www3.doh.wa.gov/policyreview/, fax (360) 236-2901, by December 10, 2015.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Susan Gragg by December 4, 2015, TTY (800) 833-6388 or 711.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The board of naturopathy (board) had begun rule making to update existing continuing education (CE) rules when the legislature passed chapter 71, Laws of 2014 (ESHB 2315). This bill requires naturopathic physicians (among other professions) to complete a one-time, six-hour training in suicide assessment, treatment, and management. The board believes the suicide prevention training requirement should take precedence over the original work on CE and has decided to move forward with implementing ESHB 2315. Chapter 249, Laws of 2015 (SHB [ESHB] 1424) revised the requirement date and the proposed rule incorporates that change as well. Two additional amendments clarify that CE is required yearly and when it must be completed in relation to the license renewal cycle. The board will address the remainder of the CE updates in a future rule project.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: ESHB 2315 added eleven health care professions, including naturopathic physicians, to the list of professions in RCW 43.70.422 that are required to complete training in suicide assessment, treatment, and management. The legislature's intent in requiring such training is to help lower the suicide rate in Washington state.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 18.36A.160.
Statute Being Implemented: RCW 43.70.442 as amended by chapter 71, Laws of 2014.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Name of Proponent: Board of naturopathy, governmental.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation, and Enforcement: Susan Gragg, Program Manager, 111 Israel Road S.E., Tumwater, WA 98501, (360) 236-4941.
No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. The proposed rule would not impose more than minor costs on businesses in an industry.
A cost-benefit analysis is required under RCW 34.05.328. A preliminary cost-benefit analysis may be obtained by contacting Susan Gragg, Department of Health, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504-7852, phone (360) 236-4941, fax (360) 236-2901, e-mail susan.gragg@doh.wa.gov.
November 2, 2015
Chris Humberson, R.Ph.
Executive Director
AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 12-13-104, filed 6/20/12, effective 7/21/12)
WAC 246-836-080 Continuing competency program.
(1) Each licensed naturopathic physician((s)) must ((demonstrate completion of)) complete twenty hours of continuing education per year, as provided in chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 7. ((Only courses in diagnosis and therapeutics as listed in RCW 18.36A.040 shall be eligible for credit.))
(2) A license holder's first twenty hour continuing education requirement is due on the second renewal date after the license is issued. After that, it is due annually on the renewal date.
(3) As part of continuing education, a licensed naturopathic physician must complete a board-approved one-time training that is at least six hours long in suicide assessment, treatment, and management. This training must be completed by the end of the first full continuing education reporting period after January 1, 2016, or the first full continuing education reporting period after initial licensure, whichever is later.
(a) Until July 1, 2017, a board-approved training must be an empirically supported training in suicide assessment, including screening and referral, suicide treatment, and suicide management, and meet any other requirement in RCW 43.70.442.
(b) Beginning July 1, 2017, training accepted by the board must be on the department's model list developed in accordance with rules adopted by the department that establish minimum standards for training programs. The establishment of the model list does not affect the validity of training completed prior to July 1, 2017.
(c) A board-approved training must be at least six hours in length and may be provided in one or more sessions.
(d) The hours spent completing the training in suicide assessment, treatment, and management under this subsection count toward meeting any applicable continuing education requirements.
(e) Nothing in this subsection is intended to expand or limit the naturopathic scope of practice.
(4) In emergency situations, such as personal or family illness, the board may in its discretion, for good cause shown, waive all or part of the continuing education requirement for a particular one year period for an individual licensee. The board may require such verification of the emergency as is necessary to prove its existence.
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