PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 162-04 WAC, General provisions, chapter 162-22 WAC, Employment--Disability discrimination, chapter 162-26 WAC, Public accommodations--Disability discrimination, and chapter 162-38 WAC, Real estate transactions--Disability discrimination. Defining "disability" for purposes of the law against discrimination and clarifying the rights and duties of employers and employees in the area of reasonable accommodation.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 49.60.120(3).
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: To clarify the scope of covered disabilities under the state law against discrimination. To provide guidance to employees and employers on their rights and duties with respect to reasonable accommodation under the state law against discrimination. To provide guidance on how the state law against discrimination applies to chemical dependency.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) enforce federal civil rights law and fair housing law. These federal agencies, along with the Washington State Departments of Health, Personnel, Social and Health Services, the Rehabilitation Advisory Council, and the Governor's Committee on Disability Issues in Employment, have been invited to participate in the advisory workgroups that will help to develop possible rules.
Process for Developing New Rule: Advisory workgroups.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. The commission encourages interested parties to take part in the advisory workgroup or submit written comments. Please contact Martin Casey, P.O. Box 42490, Olympia, WA 98504-2490, phone (360) 586-5765, fax (360) 586-2282.
June 1, 1999
Sue J. Jordan
Executive Director