WSR 17-07-068

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed March 15, 2017, 9:27 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 246-490 WAC, Vital statistics, the department of health is considering allowing only the electronic submission of death records which may require adding a new section to the chapter to require the use of the electronic death registration system (EDRS).

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 70.58.061.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: In 2011, the department deployed an EDRS to replace the paper process of registering deaths in Washington state. The system is now in use statewide and eighty-five percent of the state's death records are now registered electronically. However, to maximize the efficiencies created through electronic registration, our goal is to have all deaths registered through EDRS. To achieve this goal, rule making is necessary to require the use of EDRS to register deaths.

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 rule making.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Daniel O'Neill, Daniel.oneill@doh.wa.gov, (360) 236-4311, fax (360) 753-4135, P.O. Box 47814, Olympia, WA 98504-7814. Interested parties, including individuals, boards, commissions and associations that support and represent the certifiers of death records will be invited to comment during the public comment period and public hearing. Deputy registrars will also be invited to participate through regular statewide monthly teleconferences. Comments will be accepted in writing and via testimony.

March 15, 2017

John Wiesman, DrPH, MPH

Secretary