WSR 98-21-082

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

(Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission)

[Filed October 21, 1998, 11:02 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 246-840-020 Documents which indicate authorization to practice nursing in Washington.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 18.79.110.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The proposed amendments include changing the title to reflect that this rule addresses only documents which Washington state issues to nurses, not documents required from nurses. Other amendments include a clarification that a limited educational license does not authorize a nurse for employment since this appears to be an area of confusion.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.

Process for Developing New Rule: During the mandatory review of all significant or controversial rules according to the Governor's Executive Order, this rule was identified as needing amendment because the title is not clear about what it is addressing and the content on one section was confusing. Members of the public were invited to attend public meetings and interested persons were provided a copy of the rule to comment on.

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, Program Manager, Department of Health, P.O. Box 47864, Olympia, WA 98504, phone (360) 664-4207, fax (360) 586-2165. New phone number after October 19, 1998, is (360) 236-4712. New fax number will be (360) 236-4738.

September 25, 1998

Paula R. Meyer

Executive Director