PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 246-491-039 Amendment to allow for access to confidential information on the state of Washington live birth certificate.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 70.58.055.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: SHB 1510 allows some of the information on the confidential section of the birth certificate to be shared with the person who is the subject of that record. They must confirm their identity in a manner approved by the state board of health. The information is limited to items about the child and not the mother or father. This rule must be amended to specify the manner in which a customer must confirm their identity and list what items will be provided to them.
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, in addition to working with other interested parties, the board will work with the Washington state local health jurisdiction's vital records registrars through the existing e-mail listserv.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Philip Freeman, Department of Health, P.O. Box 47814, Olympia, WA 98504, phone (360) 236-4330, fax (360) 753-4135, e-mail philip.freeman@doh.wa.gov.
August 20, 2009
Craig McLaughlin
Executive Director