Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 246-935-010 Definitions, 246-935-040 Responsibilities of veterinarians supervising a veterinary technician or an unregistered assistant, and 246-935-050 Animal health care tasks.

     Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 18.92.030.

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: In response to a petition from the Washington State Association of Veterinary Technicians, this rule was recently amended to include authority for veterinary technicians to suture prepared wounds. As part of the rule-making process of considering the petition, the veterinary board of governors undertook review of the entire rule for the purpose of clarifying animal health care tasks authorized for veterinary technicians and unregistered assistants. The purpose of this proposal is to continue the review of rules to clarify health care tasks that may be performed by veterinary technicians and unregistered assistants.

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

     Process for Developing New Rule: Collaborative rule making.

     Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by providing comments on proposed language which will be sent to interested persons through Listserv and by regular mail. Send written comments to Janette Benham, Program Manager, P.O. Box 47868, Olympia, WA 98504-7868, (360) 236-4947, fax (360) 586-4359 or e-mail janette.benham@doh.wa.gov.

February 19, 2008

Judy Haenke

Acting Executive Director

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