WSR 97-17-016

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

[Filed August 8, 1997, 3:17 p.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Time periods for steps of initial assessment, investigation, and adjudication of complaints against credentialed health care professionals and enforcement mechanisms for the timelines.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 18.130.095(1).

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: There is no regulation of the amount of time that may pass during initial assessment, investigation, and adjudication of complaints. Credential holders may be adversely affected by complaints unresolved for an unlimited period of time. Persons making complaints have no guarantee of when they may expect assessment and resolution of the complaint. The public may not have timely protection against unsafe practitioners. There is a statutory requirement for these rules.

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

Process for Developing New Rule: Informal written and oral input from the disciplining boards and commissions, from license holders through their attorneys and professional associations, from department staff, and from the assistant attorney generals who work with health profession regulation. Workgroups composed of department staff, board and commission members, and assistant attorney generals. Written feedback on draft proposals and draft rules from disciplining boards and commissions, from license holders through their attorneys and professional associations, from department staff, from the assistant attorney generals who work with health profession regulation, and from complainants. Public meetings.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Margaret Gilbert, Department of Health, P.O. Box 47860, Olympia, WA 98504-7860, (360) 664-3066, FAX (360) 753-0657. Interested persons will be asked for written comment on drafts. Time and place of public meetings will be announced.

August 8, 1997

Bruce Miyahara