PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 246-217-010 Food worker card definitions and WAC 246-217-015 Food worker card applicability. The State Board of Health is considering revising these two rule sections in order to make the food worker card rule applicable to the providers and resident managers, rather than all food handlers, in adult family homes.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapter 69.06 RCW.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Adult family homes are licensed by the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) to serve six or less residents. Currently, all food handlers in adult family homes are required to have food worker cards. Since activities in adult family homes are performed or closely monitored by the providers and resident managers, the adult family home industry has requested that the Department of Health consider whether limiting the requirement for food worker cards to providers and resident managers would be appropriate and make a recommendation to the State Board of Health (SBOH).
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The Department of Social and Health Services licenses and inspects adult family homes to assure a safe and healthful environment for residents. The SBOH and DOH will be working with DSHS to coordinate the rule making process and determine if corresponding rule changes should be made to chapter 366-76 WAC. There are no applicable federal rules.
Process for Developing New Rule: Stakeholder meetings.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting David Gifford, Manager, Food Safety Program, Washington State Department of Health, P.O. Box 47824, Olympia, WA 98504-7824, (360) 236-3074, david.gifford@doh.wa.gov; and Marianne Seifert, State Board of Health, P.O. Box 47990, Olympia, WA 98504-7990, (360) 236-4103, marianne.seifert@doh.wa.gov.
September 27, 2002
Don Sloma
Executive Director