Subject of Possible Rule Making: Requirements for certifications of vital records at no charge. The department of health (department) is considering amending WAC 246-491-350 to add process requirements for the new birth certification fee waiver passed by SSB 5030 (chapter 109, Laws of 2025). The requirements may describe the eligibility documentation or other information needed to order and issue a birth certification at no charge.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: During the 2025 general session, the legislature passed SSB 5030 that waives the $25 birth certificate fee in RCW 70.58A.560 for a parent or guardian of a child who is a member of an assistance unit that is eligible for or receiving basic food benefits under the federal supplemental nutrition assistance program or the state food assistance program and is enrolling the child in an early learning program as defined in RCW 43.216.010 or a public school as defined in RCW 28A.150.010. The department describes the requirements for other certification fee waivers in WAC 246-491-350 and is considering adding the new birth certification fee waiver to the existing section of rule.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Kelly Thomson, P.O. Box 47814, Olympia, WA 98504, phone 360-236-2274, TTY 360-833-6388 or 711, email kelly.thomson@doh.wa.gov, website http://www.doh.wa.gov/AboutUs/RuleMaking.

Additional comments: Interested parties can participate in the drafting of the proposed rule. The department will use existing listserv and other known contact information to inform stakeholders of opportunities to provide input on proposed rule language. To be included on an interested parties list, contact Kelly Thomson at kelly.thomson@doh.wa.gov.