Rule-Making Activities

Vital Records – Certificates Rulemaking

On April 6, 2022, the Department filed the Rule-making Order to adopt the proposal of amending rules in chapter 246-491 WAC, Certificates, and WAC 246-490-200, Electronic reporting of deaths, under Washington State Register 22-09-002.

The adopted rules are to implement House Bill 1031 (Chapter 55, Laws of 2021), which created a new certification of birth resulting in stillbirth. The adopted rules:

• Prescribe the information displayed on the certification of birth resulting in stillbirth;
• Add the certification of birth resulting in stillbirth to existing requirements for a person to prove eligibility to obtain the certification;
• Remove the exclusion of electronic registration of fetal deaths; and
• Make editorial changes.

• The adopted rules are not different from the text of the proposed rule as it was published in the Washington State Register 22-04-093.

  The adopted rules will become effective on October 1, 2022.

To receive rule making notices by email and for any questions about this rule making activity, contact Vital Records Rules.

Hospital Patient Discharge Information Reporting (CHARS) Rulemaking

On June 22, the Department of Health filed the Rule-making Order to adopt proposed changes to chapter 246-455 WAC, Hospital patient discharge information reporting, under Washington State Register 22-13-187. The adopted rule:

• Prescribes new patient demographic information reported by hospitals
• Establishes a waiver process
• Strengthens protections of patient health care information to align with federal law changes
• Clarifies and adds requirements for data collection and reporting
• Prescribes the direct and indirect patient identifiers
• Formalizes the procedure for requesting patient discharge data
• Updates and adds definitions
• Makes technical updates
• Repeals an obsolete section of rule
• Establishes fees for data files and data requests

 

The adopted rule differs from the proposed rule. WAC 246-455-025 of the rule includes non-substantive changes for clarity.

WAC 246-455-035 will become effective on October 1, 2022, for eligible hospitals to apply for a waiver in accordance with Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 1272. The remaining rules will become effective on January 1, 2023.

For questions about implementation of the rule, email CHARSgeneral@doh.wa.gov.

For questions about the rule-making process, email Katitza.Holthaus@doh.wa.gov.  

Notice: Any person may petition the adoption, amendment, or repeal of any rule under RCW 34.05.330.

To receive rule making notices by email and for any questions about this rule making activity, contact Katitza.Holthaus@doh.wa.gov.