Subject of Possible Rule Making: Anesthesiologist assistant profession fees. The department of health (department), in consultation with the Washington medical commission (commission), is considering rule making to establish a section in chapter 246-921 WAC to create licensing and regulation fees for anesthesiologist assistants.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 43.70.250, 43.70.280, and SB 5184 (chapter 362, Laws of 2024), codified as RCW 18.71D.020.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: In 2021, the department performed a "sunrise review" on a proposal to license anesthesiologist assistants as a new health profession in Washington state. The sunrise review concluded that the unregulated practice of anesthesiology poses risks to public safety. It determined that the public would benefit from assurances of professional competency and that no other, more cost-effective measures could adequately protect the public. Consequently, the review recommended supporting the proposal with additional measures to ensure public safety.

In the 2024 legislative session, the legislature passed SB 5184 (chapter 362, Laws of 2024), codified as chapter 18.71D RCW, which directs the commission to adopt rules necessary for the licensure of anesthesiologist assistants. The department is considering rules in accordance with RCW 18.71D.020 and 43.70.250 to establish fees to license and regulate this new profession.

The commission has initiated a separate rule-making project under WSR 24-18-057 on August 28, 2024, to consider establishing a new chapter of rules that establish education, training, and examination requirements and continuing education requirements. The department will consider a new section of rule within the commission's chapter of rule to establish the fee requirements.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Heather Cantrell, P.O. Box 47850, Olympia, WA 98504-7850, phone 360-236-4637, TTY 711, email, HSQAfeerules@doh.wa.gov, website doh.wa.gov, https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/WADOH/subscriber/new; or Amelia Boyd, P.O. Box 47866, Olympia, WA 98504, phone 360-918-6336, TTY 711, email medical.rules@wmc.wa.gov, website wmc.wa.gov.

Additional comments: The department, in consultation with the commission, will notify interested parties by posting information to the department and commission websites and by use of GovDelivery. To join the commission's rules interested parties email list, please visit https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/WAMC/subscriber/new?topic_id=WAMC_2.