WSR 13-24-104

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed December 3, 2013, 1:52 p.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 246-849 WAC, Ocularist, the department will open chapter 246-849 WAC to update and correct obsolete wording and references and will also consider the request by the Washington state apprenticeship and training council to create an alternate apprenticeship pathway to licensure.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 18.55.095.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Chapter 246-849 WAC has outdated wording and references and would benefit from a general housekeeping. The Washington state apprenticeship and training council recently approved an ocular prosthetic apprenticeship program. This program provides an opportunity to develop a qualified workforce in a relatively small and unique profession. Acceptance of this program as a pathway to ocularist licensure would help to ensure that persons who complete the council's ocuarlist [ocularist] apprenticeship are able to utilize their training. Other programs administered through the department recognize completion of apprenticeship programs approved and facilitated through the council.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: Labor and industries, Washington state apprenticeship and training council.

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. 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 through listserv and posting to the web site. Contact Judy Haenke, Program Manager, Department of Health, Ocularist Program, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504-7852, Judy.haenke@doh.wa.gov, phone (360) 236-4947, fax (360) 236-2901.

November 27, 2013

John Wiesman, DrPH, MPH

Secretary