Rule-Making Activities

SSB 5030 Certificate Fee Waiver 

On June 24, 2025, the Department filed WSR 25-14-024, a Preproposal Statement of Inquiry, to consider amending WAC 246-491-350. During General Session 2025, the Legislature passed Substitute Senate Bill (SSB) 5030. SSB 5030 allows a parent or guardian to obtain a fee-waived birth certificate for their child, who is eligible for food assistance, to enroll them in school. The Department is considering updating rule to reflect this process change. 

SSB 5030 Certificate Fee Waiver Schedule
Activity Planned Completion Date Actual Completion Date
File CR-101, Preproposal Statement of Inquiry  June 27, 2025 June 24, 2025
Notify interested parties of rule making  June 30, 2025 July 3, 2025
Gather informal comments on draft rule  December 27, 2025  
Assess informal comments, revise draft rule if necessary, and prepare analyses  April 3, 2026  
File CR 102, Proposed Rule Making      June 4, 2026  
Notify interested parties of opportunity to comment on proposed rule  June 11, 2026  
Public Hearing      June 12, 2026  
Assess formal comments and revise rule if necessary  July 16, 2026  
File CR 103  August 13, 2026  
Respond to formal comments and notify stakeholders of effective date of adopted rule  August 20, 2026  
Rule Effective August 23, 2026  

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


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.

Activity

Planned Completion Date

Actual Completion Date

File CR-101, Preproposal Statement of Inquiry

02/01/2023

01/27/2023

Notify interested parties of rule making

02/10/2023

02/01/2023

Gather informal comments on draft rule

10/13/2023

 

Assess informal comments, revise draft rule if necessary, and prepare analyses

10/20/2023

 

File CR 102, Proposed Rule Making    

01/16/2024

 

Notify interested parties of opportunity to comment on proposed rule

01/25/2024

 

Public Hearing    

02/24/2024

 

Assess formal comments and revise rule if necessary

03/03/2024

 

File CR 103

03/26/2024

 

Respond to formal comments and notify stakeholders of effective date of adopted rule

04/04/2024

 

Rule Effective

01/02/2025

 

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