Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 246-841-990 Nursing assistant--Fees.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 18.88A.050(1).

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: RCW 43.70.250 requires all health care professions to be self sufficient. The Nursing Assistant Program has a $344,000 deficit because of investigative and prosecutory costs relating to approximately 1,680 complaints per year. A fee study is being conducted to determine what fees should be increased to cover this deficit and at what levels the new fees should be set.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: Department of Social and Health Services provides the courses and testing necessary for nursing assistants to become certified. Representatives of DSHS have been added to the mailing list to receive notices and invitations to rules writing work sessions.

Process for Developing New Rule: The Nursing Assistant Program received a 601 exemption in the governor's budget. The Nursing Assistant Program has met with members of the nursing assistant professional organizations and plans several rules writing workshops to meet with nursing assistants and employers to explain the fee study, the expenses and work on proposed fee changes.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Terry J. West, Health Administrator, Department of Health, P.O. Box 47864, Olympia, WA 98504, phone (360) 236-4712, fax (360) 236-4738.

July 20, 1999

Paula R. Meyer, RN, MSN

Executive Director