Rule-Making Activities

Vital Records – Registration, Amendment, and Certification Updates

On January 27, 2023, the Department filed WSR 23-04-062, a Preproposal Statement of Inquiry, to consider adopting new rules and amending existing rules regarding vital records. Between 2018 and 2021, the state legislature amended the Uniform Parentage Act, replaced the vital statistics statute, and added a certification of birth resulting in stillbirth. Each statutory change affected program practices and products. The department is considering updating rule to reflect these process changes.

In addition to statutory changes, the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) standards for birth and fetal death record items changed significantly in 2014. The department is considering aligning the statistical items collected through vital records with the new NCHS standards.

Changes considered during this rulemaking may:

• Establish registration and amendment requirements for vital records.
• Update or add program processes.
• Adopt fees associated with amendment and delayed birth applications.
• Adopt or adjust fees associated with the issuance of certifications and informational copies.
• Add or remove data items collected in a vital record.
• Expand use of electronic registration of a vital event.
• Make editorial and technical changes to align with statutory changes.
• Repeal obsolete sections of rule.

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

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.