WSR 14-24-020

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed November 21, 2014, 7:41 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 246-490 WAC, considering adding new sections to the chapter for delayed registration of births, and amending WAC 246-490-070 Fraudulently registered or changed birth certificates.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 70.58.082, 43.70.150.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Chapter 70.58 RCW regulates vital records in Washington and allows the department of health (department) to register a delayed record of birth when no record was registered at the time of birth or if no record can be found on file with the state or county. The department is considering strengthening the requirements for registration of a delayed birth certificate, potentially reducing the risk for fraud, by creating rules for establishing the facts of a birth and parentage through documentary evidence, the process for filing a delayed birth certificate, content of a delayed birth certificate, retention of documents, and validation of authenticity of documentary evidence.

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

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.: Interested parties can participate in the rule process by e-mailing or mailing comments to the department. To recieve [receive] information and updates and provide comments, e-mail vitalrecordsrules@doh.wa.gov, mail to attention: Vital Records Rules, P.O. Box 47814, Olympia, WA 98504-7814, or contact Kris Reichl at (360) 236-4311.

November 20, 2014

Dennis E. Worsham

Deputy Secretary

for John Wiesman, DrPH, MPH

Secretary