WSR 97-15-002

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

(Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission)

[Filed July 3, 1997, 10:57 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: The Nursing Commission developed sexual misconduct guidelines in 1993 in order to assist nurses and the public in understanding the concept and actions which can be taken in disciplinary cases coming before the commission. The commission has recognized the need to move the guidelines into rule to ensure their enforceability, and therefore more fully protect the public.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 18.130.180(24).

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Rules on sexual misconduct are necessary to ensure enforceability of disciplinary action and to enhance the ability of the Department of Health to protect the public. The commission strongly believes that a formal regulation in place would assist in the protection of the public.

Process for Developing New Rule: Open forums were held on January 8, 1997, in Seattle and January 9, 1997, in Spokane. Information has been solicited from other states who have sexual misconduct rules currently in place. An interested party mailing list has been developed. Also the commission's Spring 1997 Newsletter, mailed in March 1997, discussed this issue and invited all RNs, LPNs and others on the mailing list to provide comments and be placed on the interested party mailing list.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting the Washington State Nursing Commission, attention: Rules, P.O. Box 47864, Olympia, WA 98504-7864, (360) 664-4219, FAX (360) 586-5935.

May 15, 1997

Patty Hayes