WSR 17-07-101

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed March 21, 2017, 8:45 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 246-851-XXX Temporary practice permit—Military spouse and state-registered domestic partner eligibility and issuance, consider adding a new section to provide for temporary practice permits to be issued to military spouses or state-registered domestic partners who hold an out-of-state credential as an optometrist.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 1.12.080, 18.54.070(2), and 18.340.020.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Chapter 18.340 RCW provides that military spouses may receive a temporary practice permit while completing any specific additional requirements in Washington that are not related to a profession's training or practice standard. RCW 1.12.080 requires that the term "spouse" be applied equally to state-registered domestic partners. The board of optometry is considering establishing requirements for a military spouse to obtain a temporary practice permit.

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 Loralei Walker, Program Manager, Department of Health, Board of Optometry, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504-7852, email Loralei.Walker@doh.wa.gov, phone (360) 236-4947 or fax (360) 236-2901. Stakeholders will be notified and invited to participate in an open public rules workshop and may submit written comments for consideration. Stakeholders will be notified via listserv and posting to the web site.

March 21, 2017

Kathy J. Schmitt, Deputy Director

Office of Health Professions and Facilities