WSR 17-20-002

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed September 21, 2017, 10:17 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 246-803 WAC, East Asian medicine practitioner, the department of health (department) is considering revising the East Asian medicine practitioner rules consistent with statutorily authorized five-year rule review. The department is also considering to include new sections regarding recordkeeping, infection control, and expired licensure.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 18.06.160.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: This rule review is being done consistent with the five-year rule review under RCW 43.70.041. As part of the review, the department will be looking at areas to consolidate and clarify requirements to better reflect best practices and complete general housekeeping. In the process, the department is also considering adding new rules for recordkeeping, infection control and expired licenses. Rule making may be necessary to update, clarify, and modernize rule language to assure alignment with current practice and increase patient safety. Establishing clear recordkeeping and infection control rules will provide guidance to practitioners, potentially reducing the number and cost of disciplinary actions related to East Asian medicine practitioners.

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 Vicki Brown, Program Manager, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504-7852, phone 360-236-4865, fax 360-236-2901, TTY 360-833-6388 or 711, email vicki.brown@doh.wa.gov, web site www.doh.wa.gov, https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/WADOH/subscriber/new.

Additional comments: Interested parties who wish to keep up-to-date on activities related to this rule may sign up for updates through GovDelivery https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/WADOH/subscriber/new.

September 21, 2017

John Wiesman, DrPH, MPH

Secretary