PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 246-976-001 through 246-976-400, 246-976-890, 246-976-920, and 246-976-950, amending EMS and trauma system prehospital rules and standards for training, certification, licensure and verification, and prehospital system administration.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 18.71.200 through 18.71.215, chapter 18.73 RCW, RCW 43.70.615, chapters 70.168 and 70.24 RCW.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: WAC 246-976-950 requires biennial review of and comment on the EMS and trauma system (EMS & TS) rules and standards that pertain to licensure of EMS services and certification of individuals. Regular reviews of EMS rules are needed to keep EMS & TS regulations in alignment with industry standards and guidelines. A complete review has not been done since 2000. As a result, current rules do not reflect changes in EMS industry standards and practice. Rule making on these prehospital rules began in 2005, but were withdrawn to allow for the development of the EMS & TS strategic plan. The revised WAC will support the new objectives from the plan.
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 this subject.
Process for Developing New Rule: A collaborative rule-making process will occur. EMS & TS committees and subcommittees, as well as key constituents, stakeholders, and public citizens will be able to participate in the review and drafting of proposed language through open public meetings, mailings, and e-mails posted to the DOH rules comment web site. Public workshops will be held in eastern, central, and western Washington to ensure maximum opportunity for public input into the rule-making process.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. Interested parties can participate in the formulation of the proposed rules before publication by contacting Maura Craig, Legislative and Policy Analyst, Division of Health Systems Quality Assurance, P.O. Box 47850, Olympia, WA 98504-7850, e-mail maura.craig@doh.wa.gov, phone (360) 236-4987, fax (360) 236-2829. The department will notify all licensees, organizations, and private citizens who have expressed an interest in rule-making activities. Interested parties may also submit written comments for consideration.
July 29, 2008
Mary C. Selecky
Secretary