Subject of Possible Rule Making: Considering psychiatric advanced registered nurse practitioners (ARNPs) as providers of psychiatric services.

     Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 51.04.020, 51.04.030.

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The department is looking into this issue in response to a petition to change WAC 296-21-270. The petitioner requested that ARNPs specializing in psychiatry be allowed to treat injured workers under Title 51 RCW. Currently WAC 296-21-270 limits psychiatric services for injured workers to psychiatrists and psychologists.

     Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: No other federal or state agencies regulate the Industrial Insurance Act in Washington state.

     Process for Developing New Rule: The department will work with major stakeholders, including the petitioner.

     Parties interested in these rules may contact the individual listed below. The public may also participate by commenting after amendments are proposed by providing written comments and/or testimony during the public hearing and comment process.

     Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Jami Lifka, (360) 902-4941, lifk235@lni.wa.gov or Josh Swanson, (360) 902-6805, swaj235@lni.wa.gov, at the Department of Labor and Industries, P.O. Box 44001, Olympia, WA 98504-4001.

July 29, 2008

Judy Schurke

Director

© Washington State Code Reviser's Office