PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
(Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission)
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Define when alcohol in the system rises to the level of unprofessional conduct.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 18.79.110, 18.130.180(23).
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The Uniform Disciplinary Act, RCW 18.130.180 (23)(a) currently makes it illegal to misuse alcohol. The Nursing Commission feels that is will assist nurses to have a clear definition of when alcohol in the system rises to the level of unprofessional conduct. By clearly defining this level all nurses will be adequately informed and put on notice. This should reduce the confusion that currently exists with the misuse of alcohol.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.
Process for Developing New Rule: A public rules writing workshop will be held with interested members of the public. An invitation will be mailed to all persons who have asked to be on the interested person mailing list. In addition, other identified individuals will be added to the mailing and all will receive an invitation to participate in rule writing.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Terry J. West, Program Manager, Department of Health, P.O. Box 47864, Olympia, WA 98504-7864, phone (360) 664-4207, fax (360) 586-2165.
December 28, 1998
Paula Q. Meyer
Executive Director