WSR 97-20-155

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

(Board of Optometry)

[Filed October 1, 1997, 11:41 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Establishing a definition of "vision therapy"; establishing a definition of "low vision rehabilitation"; and amending the credentialing by endorsement rules to require that a practitioner be actively practicing in the state from which they are credentialing.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 18.54.070(2).

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: To clarify the scope of practice and to further ensure the competency of applicants for licensure.

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

Process for Developing New Rule: Negotiated rule making.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. Notice of all future public meetings will be sent to interested persons. For more information contact Judy Haenke, Program Manager, P.O. Box 47863, Olympia, WA 98504-7863, (360) 753-4614, FAX (360) 586-0745.

September 30, 1997

Robert Nicoloff