Dear Friends,

I always appreciate opportunities to inform my readers on legislation and its development. The agenda (see full agenda) for next week’s State Board of Health meeting was rather vague and the agency was very helpful to clarify it with additional details. With so many messages on social media that can confuse issues, I wanted to share those extra details with you.    
 
Agenda item 9, “Rules Hearing Continuance – Communicable and Other Certain Diseases, Chapter 246-100 WAC,” relates to STD Modernization rulemaking following the passage of Engrossed Substitute House Bill (ESHB) 1551: “Modernizing the control of certain communicable diseases.” The board will be potentially taking action to adopt the CR-102 they filed on Oct. 5, 2021 (WSR 21-20-127). These rules do not impact requirements related to detaining infected persons with COVID. If you are interested, the rulemaking update from the Board can be found here.   
 
Agenda item 11, “Chapter 246-105 WAC, Immunization Criteria, Child Care and School Entry,” is a briefing from staff regarding the progress from the Immunization Technical Advisory Group who have just begun their work reviewing the COVID vaccine to determine if it meets the board’s criteria to require it for schools and child care.
 
As a reminder, those interested in watching the State Board of Health meeting on Wednesday, Jan.12, 2022 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. can register at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_DjusY10WTj-EyQyDTdyxsw.

There is also a dial-in option for listen-only mode:

• Call in: +1 (253) 215-8782 (not toll-free)
• Webinar ID: 894 7406 4216
• Passcode: 957396

Sincerely,