Rules in Progress
The rules writing process is open to the public. The public is welcome to take part in helping us write rules. Rules are also known as regulations, Washington Administrative Code, or WAC. The rule-making process includes public notices and workshops, and usually a public hearing before a rule becomes final.
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Current rules in progress
Health Equity Continuing Education Requirement
Effective January 1, 2024, a new interpretive statement, WSR 24-02-024, mandates health equity continuing education for licensed midwives. This requirement ensures that midwives are equipped with the knowledge and skills to provide culturally competent care, aiming to reduce health disparities across communities.
Extended Prescriptive Authority for Midwives
The Department of Health is adopting amendments to chapter 246-834 WAC to implement Substitute Senate Bill (SSB) 5765 (chapter 289, Laws of 2022) (PDF), which created two levels of limited prescriptive license extensions for midwives to prescribe, obtain, and administer medications and therapies for the prevention and treatment of common prenatal and postpartum conditions, family planning methods, medical devices, and implants. SSB 5765 gave the Secretary the authority to establish education and training requirements, and to specify the types of medications, implants, and devices a midwife can prescribe, obtain, and administer under each license extension in the chapter.
The Department of Health has filed a rule, WSR 24-05-052, to extend the prescriptive authority of midwives (PDF). This new rule allows midwives to prescribe, obtain, and administer a broader range of medications and medical devices for prenatal, postpartum, and family planning care. This change is designed to improve the quality-of-care midwives can provide to their patients.
Public Hearing Date: April 4, 2024, at 9 a.m. The hearing will be available both in person and online. Register for the webinar.