PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 246-366 WAC, Primary and secondary schools.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 43.20.050.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The state's primary and secondary school rules were minimally revised in 1991. Students, teachers, and parents have requested that the State Board of Health (BOH) strengthen the rule so that it better protects children's health. The state BOH and the state Department of Health (DOH) reviewed the rule in 2003 with stakeholder involvement, and agreed that significant revisions are needed to protect children's health. The rule revision process should include clear standards regarding temperature, humidity, ventilation and air contaminants; clarify plan review requirements; update references to relevant regulations and standards; and clarify vague language. A member of the legislature and the governor have also asked the board to consider standards for monitoring drinking water quality in schools.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: Local health jurisdictions are required to implement the rule and DOH provides technical assistance to the local health jurisdictions. The State Building Code Council, the State Fire Marshal's Office, and the Department of Labor and Industries regulate aspects of school environmental health and safety, generally referenced within the rule. School district boards and superintendents, the State Board of Education, and the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction also regulate school facilities. Representatives of these organizations will be invited to participate in the rule development process. An advisory committee will recommend rule revisions to the BOH. Additional agencies, organizations, and individuals will be invited to provide input and comments.
Process for Developing New Rule: An advisory committee of public health representatives, school organization representatives, and parent and school staff representatives will recommend rule revisions to the State Board of Health. There will be additional opportunity for public input throughout the rule revision process.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Marianne Seifert, Environmental Health Policy Advisor, Washington State Board of Health, P.O. Box 47990, Olympia, WA 98504-7990, phone (360) 236-4103, fax (360) 236-4088, e-mail Marianne.seifert@doh.wa.gov; or Nancy P. Bernard, MPH, WSDOH School Environmental Health and Safety Program Manager, P.O. Box 47825, Olympia, WA 98504-7825, (360) 236-3072, fax (360) 236-2261, nancy.bernard@doh.wa.gov.
September 29, 2004
Craig McLaughlin
Acting Executive Director