PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 246-145 WAC, amending to included [include] body artists and body piercers along with tattoo artists and electrologists.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 70.54.340.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: SSB 5391 passed in 2009 and amended RCW 70.54.340 to require the department of health (DOH) to establish requirements for sterilization and infection control procedures in practices of body art and body piercing in addition to tattooing and electrology.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: SSB 5391 requires the department of licensing (DOL) to establish licensing requirements for individuals and shops/business[es] engaged in the practice of body art, body piercing and tattooing. DOH is required to establish the requirements for sterilization and infection control procedures. The DOL established a body art, body piercing and tattoo advisory committee and DOH staff attend the committee meetings and are working with DOL staff.
Process for Developing New Rule: Collaborative.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. Notification of the rule-making process will be sent to interested parties who have contacted either the department of health or the department of licensing. To be added to the department of health's interested parties list, contact Patti L. Rathbun, Health Policy Development Coordinator, P.O. Box 47890, Olympia, WA 98504-7890, phone (360) 236-4067, fax (360) 586-7424, or e-mail patti.rathbun@doh.wa.gov.
October 13, 2009
B. White
for Mary C. Selecky
Secretary